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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies come to an end in Minnesota, Minneapolis faces decisions on handling spontaneous memorials for two U.S. citizens killed last month by federal agents.
In the wake of the tragic deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, makeshift memorials have rapidly emerged at the sites where they were shot. These areas, adorned with flowers, artwork, and signs, have become focal points for candlelight vigils and musical tributes, drawing a steady stream of mourners and supporters.
The scenes of public mourning echo the grassroots memorial created for George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in 2020, less than a mile (1.61 kilometers) from where Good was shot. It took the city over five years to determine how to permanently commemorate George Floyd Square, with construction slated to start this year.
Now, Minneapolis must navigate the complexities of managing two additional high-profile memorial sites.
A memorial in honor of Good was established within hours of her death on January 7, located at the Minneapolis street where the incident occurred.
And before the smell of tear gas used by federal agents had dissipated on the day of Pretti’s killing on Jan. 24, Minneapolis protesters were already using branches, police tape and candles to mark the space. Later, people placed crosses, stuffed animals, American flags and images of Pretti.
Minnesota resident Karel Hoffmann said that while she remained outraged with Good and Pretti’s killings, the memorials represented community solidarity.
“This is so unfair, the trauma, for everyone, is too much,” Hoffmann said as she visited Pretti’s memorial recently. “We’re all in this together. And I’m really glad they have this here so everybody can come and be together.”
Lynn Elrod, a nurse, visited Pretti’s memorial last month and added her own offering: a plastic evergreen tree with red hearts and portraits of him and Good.
“I printed both of their pictures and put those on there again, just to signify the love that we have for both of them, really, and their contributions to the community and supporting their neighbors,” Elrod said.
The residential street where Good died remains open, but orange traffic cones offer a narrow walkway for those paying their respects, and a small band of volunteers watches over the mound of flowers, artwork and handwritten signs that has amassed between the sidewalk and the street.
Around the Pretti memorial along a commercial district known as “ Eat Street,” traffic lanes have been temporarily shifted and parking is closed off, said Jess Olstad, a spokesperson for the city of Minneapolis.
“The City’s top priority is to give our community space to grieve and heal,” Olstad said. “This both ensures emergency vehicles can get through the area and protects those who gather or visit the memorial.”
Olstad added that the city is “actively working on next steps, including continued community engagement regarding both memorials.”
Ally Peters, a spokesperson for Mayor Jacob Frey, said last week that it was “too early” to comment on whether the memorials would be made permanent.
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