Athletes are reflecting on recent actions by immigration officials in Minnesota, especially after the officer-involved shooting of anti-ICE activist Alex Preti. NBA players have notably voiced their criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on social media.
Players like Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Haliburton, and Karl-Anthony Towns, alongside the NBA Players Association, have publicly condemned ICE and President Trump.
“I’m not fully aware of all the details surrounding the incident, but it’s just unacceptable,” Donovan Mitchell expressed to reporters on Monday. “That’s how I feel about it.”
“I keep the affected families in my thoughts. I think it’s crucial for us to grasp this situation because it’s spiraling out of control. It shouldn’t become our new normal. We need to address it soon. It’s quite shocking. This isn’t who we are as a nation.”
Haliburton referred to Preti’s death as “murder.”
Karl-Anthony Towns stressed the need for “accountability” on his X account.
A statement from a Celtics player and the president of the NBA Players Association called for the protection of free speech. It read, “Given the recent deadly shooting in Minneapolis, where we’ve stood against injustice, NBA players can no longer stay silent. It’s time to protect our right to free speech and support those in Minnesota who are bravely protesting for justice.”
Others also joined the conversation.
NBA analyst Charles Barkley emphasized the need for “accountability” following the death of the activist in Minnesota. “It’s simply tragic,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA. “I feel scared and sad… I’m uncertain about the future. This could end badly, and it already has twice. We need to mature as a society because lives were lost for no good reason, and it’s just heartbreaking.”
WNBA star Brianna Stewart also spoke out against ICE, displaying a small sign that said “Abolish ICE” before her game against BC Mist on Sunday.
