The shooting of Alex Pretti by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis has ignited widespread outrage across Reddit, transforming local subreddits into hubs of resistance and information sharing. The incident, captured in a widely circulated 40-second video, shows agents tackling and shooting Pretti at point-blank range, sparking condemnation even from communities with little prior political engagement.
From Local Forum to Protest Hub
The r/Minneapolis subreddit has rapidly become central to the backlash. Originally focused on local news and discussions, it now serves as a de facto reporting center for ICE activity. Moderators report working up to 20 hours weekly to manage the influx of footage, reports, and escalating tensions.
“We just wanted a local subreddit to know what was happening in our city, and now all of a sudden, we’ve turned into this de facto hub of information for basically how to fight fascism,” says one moderator, who asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns.
This surge in activity is part of a broader trend: public sentiment against ICE has surged since the Trump administration escalated raids in urban centers. Polling data shows support for abolishing ICE has risen from 24% to 43% in recent years. The death of Renee Nicole Good in January, followed by the shooting of Pretti, has pushed the issue into mainstream conversation.
Cross-Platform Resistance
The outrage extends far beyond r/Minneapolis. From cross-stitching communities to nail polish forums, anti-ICE sentiment has permeated even the most unexpected corners of Reddit. Users are creating and sharing protest art, memes, and explicit condemnations, turning niche communities into unexpected battlegrounds against federal overreach.
- In the subreddit r/catbongos, a post calling out ICE went viral, prompting new members to join in solidarity.
- Even the r/massivecock subreddit, known for explicit content, featured captions railing against ICE.
- The r/Leica camera subreddit temporarily banned “partisan comments” on ICE photos, prompting backlash from users who accused the moderators of censorship.
Political Fallout and Broader Implications
The violence in Minneapolis has spilled into mainstream political discourse. Republican lawmakers, including House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer, have suggested Trump should withdraw ICE from the city. Fox News hosts have questioned the official narrative, and even the National Rifle Association (NRA) has called for an investigation into Pretti’s death.
This growing unrest echoes the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, when r/Minneapolis became a frontline for news, on-the-ground footage, and community support. The current situation illustrates how social media platforms can rapidly mobilize resistance against perceived injustice, even if the participants have no prior political background.
The moderator of r/Minneapolis sums it up bluntly: “They’re testing things here. They’re coming for you next.” The escalating conflict raises questions about the future of federal enforcement tactics, the role of social media in resistance movements, and the potential for broader protests as ICE’s actions intensify.
