Minneapolis protests signal a reckoning for America's governance and civil liberties

'COLD COMFORT'

- ROSHAN JAINATH

PEOPLE visit a memorial dedicated to Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Anger in the city continues to grow over Donald Trump's administration immigration policy after Good's death on January 7 and the death of Alex Pretti on January 24, both shot and killed by federal immigration agents. I SCOTT OLSO Getty Images AFP

(SCOTT OLSO Getty Images AFP)

IN THE quiet cold of Minneapolis, a new, unsettling chapter is being written in American history. What began as protests against federal actions have escalated into a stark confrontation, leading to the tragic deaths of two citizens, Renée Good and Alex Pretti.

These events, as highlighted by Kathleen Parker in a recent Washington Post opinion piece, are not just local headlines. They are sparking a profound reevaluation across the country, potentially uniting a deeply-divided nation against a common, unexpected adversary. It’s own government.

For decades, Americans have grappled with political divisions that often felt insurmountable. Yet, history shows that shared adversity can forge powerful bonds. Think of the unity that followed the 9/11 attacks - a moment when a common enemy brought people together. Now, Parker suggests, a similar, perhaps even more critical, moment is upon us, with the “enemy” appearing closer to home.

The situation described in Minneapolis is chilling. The city saw what Parker calls a “3 000-strong federal invasion”, featuring agents employing “stormtrooper tactics”.

The immediate trigger for much of the public outcry, and the central tragedy, was the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters. Good and Pretti are now names associated with this profound shift, their deaths fuelling outrage and a call for accountability.