Billie Eilish is taking her peers to task, demanding that fellow high-profile figures break their silence regarding the escalating turmoil in Minneapolis fueled by the ongoing presence of ICE agents.
On Monday morning, Jan. 26, the pop icon shared a candid photo on her Instagram Story, looking directly into the lens with a pointed message: “Hey my fellow celebrities, are you going to speak up?”
Her challenge comes in the wake of the tragic death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation on Saturday, Jan. 24. While the Trump administration maintains that the officer acted in self-defense against a perceived threat, witness footage has emerged suggesting a different narrative. These recordings appear to show Pretti unarmed at the moment of the shooting, with his legally permitted handgun seemingly already confiscated by agents. According to the Associated Press, Pretti’s family confirmed he held a valid concealed carry permit in Minnesota.
Eilish’s brother and creative partner, Finneas, also weighed in with a passionate video response that Eilish later amplified. He criticized the hypocrisy of using firearm possession as a justification for lethal force by federal agents. “The conservative argument for the Second Amendment has always been about protection,” the producer remarked. “Yet, every justification I see for Alex Pretti’s death relies on the fact that he was armed.”
Finneas continued his critique, noting that Pretti was reportedly being physically subdued when he was killed. “This man was being beaten on the ground. He never drew his weapon, which he owned legally, yet they shot him anyway,” he added.
The siblings have remained steadfast in their opposition to the federal occupation of Minneapolis, which has now resulted in two civilian fatalities. Just weeks prior to the Pretti incident, Renee Good was killed under similar circumstances. In that case, officials also claimed self-defense, despite witness videos contradicting the narrative that the agent involved was in immediate danger.
During her acceptance speech for the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Award for Environmental Justice on Jan. 17, Eilish addressed the broader crisis. “We are witnessing our neighbors being taken, peaceful protesters being targeted, and our fundamental civil rights being eroded,” she stated, highlighting a growing sense of insecurity among Americans in their own communities.
Eilish isn’t the only star speaking out. Olivia Rodrigo recently voiced her support for the people of Minnesota, labeling the agency’s recent conduct as “unconscionable” and urging her followers to recognize that collective action still holds power.
