Indian-American Activist's Fiery Comments Ignite Social Media Storm Over US Border Patrol Shooting
Indian-American political activist Saikat Chakrabarti has ignited a significant controversy following his strong condemnation of US Border Patrol agents after the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man. The former chief of staff to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to social media platform X to express his outrage, writing in a now-viral post: "ICE is murdering people. And they will only murder more. RIP Alex Pretti. Abolish ICE."
Chakrabarti's Detailed Account of the Incident
In an emotional video message that has circulated widely across social media platforms, Chakrabarti provided a detailed narrative of the events that transpired in Minneapolis. He described the incident as likely being state-sponsored murder, stating: "Yesterday in Minneapolis, Border Patrol agents murdered Alex Pretti — a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen. They pepper-sprayed him, tackled him to the ground, beat him, and then fired six shots — killing him."
Chakrabarti emphasized that Pretti was legally carrying identification and was attempting to assist someone who had been pushed down during the encounter. "Instead of de-escalating, agents chose violence — again," he asserted, characterizing the incident as representative of what he believes to be systemic issues within immigration enforcement agencies.
Call to Action and Protest Organization
The activist used his platform not only to condemn the shooting but also to mobilize public response. He announced an emergency protest scheduled for 4 PM at Harry Bridges Plaza in San Francisco, urging participants to "bring signs, bring rage, bring friends." Furthermore, Chakrabarti called upon his followers to contact their Democratic senators immediately, urging them to vote against the upcoming Department of Homeland Security funding bill.
His rallying cry included several demands:
- Abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Defund Border Patrol operations
- Secure justice for Alex Pretti
Chakrabarti concluded his message with the powerful statement: "Rest in power, Alex. We won't forget. We won't stop."
Social Media Backlash and Racist Undertones
The response to Chakrabarti's comments has been polarized and, in some cases, disturbingly racist. Many social media users expressed displeasure with what they perceived as an Indian national criticizing American federal agencies. Some responses took explicitly racist turns, with comments ranging from mocking Chakrabarti's name to making sweeping generalizations about Indian immigrants.
One particularly inflammatory response questioned: "Is Chakrabarti worried that soon ICE will be deporting the 700K plus illegal alien Indians and dismantling the nationwide grift and cartel network of Indians who are doing the same sort of criminal activities as the Somalis but on a far grander scale?"
Other comments included:
- "Maybe tell people to stop putting themselves in between federal officers and their duties."
- "The deportations is exactly what people voted for. In fact it needs to be at a much quicker pace."
- "I'd need a calculator to pronounce your name."
- "How does India deport illegals? I support DEI … Deport Every Indian."
Victim Profile: Alex Jeffrey Pretti
The man at the center of this controversy, 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, worked as a nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis. According to family members, Pretti was an outdoors enthusiast who loved his dog and was deeply committed to helping others. His family described him as someone with a strong sense of community and compassion.
Notably, Pretti had previously participated in protests against immigration enforcement following the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by similar federal agents earlier in the month, indicating his active engagement with immigration justice issues.
Official Response and Contradictory Accounts
The Department of Homeland Security has provided an official statement regarding the incident, claiming that Pretti was shot after he "approached" Border Patrol officers while carrying a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. However, officials have not clarified whether the weapon was drawn or pointed at anyone during the encounter.
This official account conflicts with video evidence captured by bystanders, which shows Pretti holding a phone but no visible firearm. Family members have confirmed that while Pretti owned a handgun and possessed a permit to carry it, he had never carried the weapon during protests, raising questions about the circumstances leading to the shooting.
The incident continues to develop as investigations proceed and public demonstrations gain momentum, highlighting deep divisions in American society regarding immigration enforcement practices and the appropriate use of force by federal agents.
