A former Democratic strategist Symone Sanders Townsend has urged Americans to remain vigilant and sustain public pressure on authorities following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents.
The political commentator has warned that the use of state force will continue unless consistently challenged.
Speaking on MS Now as family members and loved ones gathered to honor Pretti’s life and service, Sanders Townsend situated the Minneapolis incident within a broader historical pattern of police and federal violence in the United States.
She drew direct parallels to the nationwide reckoning that followed the 2020 killing of George Floyd, describing the current moment as another potential catalyst for sustained civic action.
“What we saw after George Floyd… where people were saying ‘enough,’ and it was a catalyst for a movement,” Sanders Townsend said. “I think we are in a similar moment.”
She noted that what has sharpened public reaction this time is the perception that the victims of aggressive federal enforcement no longer fit narrow or stereotypical profiles. According to Sanders Townsend, Pretti’s appearance and background challenged assumptions about who is vulnerable to state violence, prompting wider segments of the population to see themselves reflected in the victim.
“This is not relegated to one particular group,” she said, arguing that longstanding warnings about the expanding reach of government cruelty are now resonating more broadly. “At one point they’re going to come for all of us — and I think what we’re seeing now is Americans waking up and saying, ‘Hold on, I do not consent to this.’”
Sanders Townsend cautioned against complacency following symbolic actions or leadership changes, stressing that structural tactics and enforcement practices often persist beneath shifting political optics. Her central message was clear: public attention must not wane.
“I just want people to know that they have to keep the pressure on,” she said. “Do not let yourself be lulled to sleep… because the tactics are still alive and well.”
Her comments come amid mass protests in Minneapolis and Minnesota and renewed national debate over ICE activities, accountability, and the broader use of force by state actors.
Civil rights advocates say the Pretti case underscores the need for transparency, independent investigations, and sustained public engagement to prevent future abuses.
As vigils continue and questions mount, Sanders Townsend’s call reflects a growing insistence that lasting change depends not on momentary outrage, but on consistent civic pressure and collective action. (Click here to watch Sanders Townsend’s submissions.)
