Leave the Twin Cities: When Federal Force Sparks a Citywide Outcry
From NEXT with Marcus Atkinson by WQLN
January 30, 2026 · 50 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the community's response to federal immigration enforcement incidents in Minneapolis and the broader implications for civic action and accountability.
In late January 2026, Minneapolis is in upheaval after two fatal shootings involving federal immigration enforcement—incidents that have ignited days of protest and renewed demands that ICE leave the Twin Cities. The latest flashpoint: Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and nurse, was killed on Jan. 24 during a confrontation with U.S. Border Patrol/federal agents, following the earlier death of Renée Nicole Good, shot and killed on Jan. 7 by an ICE officer while she was in her vehicle. As thousands take to the streets in freezing conditions, the community is wrestling with grief, fear, and a growing insistence on accountability and transparency. Host Marcus Atkinson is joined by Deonte Cooley and Malcolm Pullium for a wide-ranging conversation connecting national headlines to local pain: the murder of Marchello Woodard in Erie, the ongoing fight for justice, and what it means—right now—for everyday citizens to raise their voices without losing their humanity. Together, they ask the hard questions: Who is protected? Who is policed? And what does responsible civic action look like when the system feels unmoved? On this episode of NEXT2.0.
People in this episode
Host: Marcus Atkinson
Guests: Deonte Cooley, Malcolm Pullium
Topics covered
- federal immigration enforcement
- protests
- community accountability
- civic action
Keywords
- Minneapolis
- ICE
- U.S. Border Patrol
- protests
- community grief
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: NEXT2.0
Places: the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, U.S., Erie
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