DeLaRosa Condemns Violence by Federal Agents, Demands Removal of ICE from Minneapolis

LOMBARD, Ill. — State Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa, D-Lombard, joins more than 600 state legislators from over 48 states across the country to release a joint national statement regarding the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) occupation of Minneapolis, MN, and the killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, and others at the hands of DHS and ICE:

“We, the undersigned state legislators from across this country, contend we are at a decisive moment in our nation’s history. For a nation founded 250 years ago on the basic and fundamental principles of freedom, liberty, and inalienable rights, having armed masked federal agents on our streets engaging in a campaign of wanton destruction threatens to destroy these foundational values that underpin our democracy.

“We are stepping into extraordinarily dangerous territory in this country and have reached an unimaginable point where ICE and Border Patrol agents have now, twice within one month, killed US citizens on camera while the federal government tells us not to believe our own eyes.

“Further, the vast majority of ICE arrests in our cities and suburbs are of those with no criminal record, while due process and search and seizure rights guaranteed by our Constitution are not just being violated daily: chillingly, per a leaked memo, these violations are sanctioned by the Department of Homeland Security.

“We stand with the people of Minnesota and demand that ICE and Border Patrol leave Minnesota immediately.

“We demand a full and independent investigation into the shootings and deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as others, over the last year.

“Finally, we demand the restoration of our American values and principles to our federal government, an end to the abductions and killings, an end to the occupation of our towns and cities, and an end to Congressional funding for ICE.”

State Rep. DeLaRosa is one of 629 elected officials nationwide to sign on to the statement. Other supporting legislators represent states including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.

“This federal administration is prioritizing their prejudiced agenda over the lives and livelihoods of the hard-working, contributive people in this country,” said DeLaRosa. “I stand with my fellow lawmakers and government officials, especially in Minnesota, who are doing everything they can to protect the people in their state. I stand with the peaceful protestors nationwide who have had enough of the violence from the hands of people that claim to protect us. Demanding due process and freedom of speech is not rebellion. Protecting our neighbors is not a crime. These are fundamental human rights given to all people in the U.S. If the federal government continues to ignore those rights, then we will continue to fight back.”

In Illinois, DeLaRosa also recently passed House Bill 1312, protecting people from ICE violence at locations including hospitals, courthouses and daycares; as well as House Resolution 622, echoing many of the statement's points in condemning federal violence and lawlessness, and specifically calling for DHS Secretary Noem’s immediate resignation, or impeachment.

The full joint statement can be found here.