A growing number of US celebrities including singer Katy Perry have urged citizens to speak out and contact lawmakers after federal immigration officials killed two US citizens in Minnesota during a heightened enforcement operation.
Perry used her Instagram platform on Monday to encourage followers to write to their US senators and push against funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security.
“The Last of Us” star Pedro Pascal posted drawings of the victims, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, on Instagram with the message: “Pretti Good reason for a national strike.”
Singer Billie Eilish, also on Instagram, described Pretti as “a real American hero” and urged others to raise their voices: “hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up? or”.
The National Basketball Players Association said players “can no longer remain silent,” calling for defence of freedom of speech and solidarity with Minnesotans protesting and demanding justice.
Trump administration officials have described the killings as acts of self-defence by officers, but video evidence from the scenes has raised questions and sparked protests nationwide.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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