Political Statement at Lynx Game in Minneapolis

“So this is how liberty dies … with thunderous applause.”

On Saturday night, the Target Center in Minneapolis became a political stage during the home-opening game for the Minnesota Lynx against the Atlanta Dream. This shift happened when a fan shouted “f*ck ICE.”

Before the game began, the Lynx held a moment of silence for two local residents, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, who lost their lives in January during operations involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The arena announcer invited everyone to take part: “Please join us in honoring Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti with a moment of silence.” He added, “We continue to extend our love, support and heartfelt sympathies to Renee and Alex’s families, friends, and our community.”

However, just moments into the silence, a shout from the stands interrupted the moment.

As captured in a social media post, the fan’s outburst was followed by “thunderous applause” from some attendees, reminiscent of a scene from “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” where Senator Padmé Amidala reacts to Sheev Palpatine declaring himself emperor, a moment that was also met with cheers.

“So this is how liberty dies … with thunderous applause,” Amidala remarked in that scene. And it feels like a fitting description for what unfolded in Minneapolis.

People often voice their frustrations about government actions, which is certainly valid. Yet, it’s worth noting that at that moment, the government was focused on addressing crime related to illegal immigration. Instead of allowing ICE to execute their duty, some fans seemed to celebrate resistance, leading to applause for the shout against them. So, is this truly how liberty fades away?