Headlines

Best Buy, Red Wing and Target CEOs Urge End to Violence

Retail execs among 60 Minnesota business leaders urging stop to ICE confrontations

Published

2 months ago

January 26, 2026

In some ways, the current anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis were foreshadowed by the “Families Belong Together” march that took place there in summer 2018, where signs opposing the federal agency can be seen. Photo: jferrer/iStock by Getty Images

The top executives of three high-profile Minnesota retailers – Best Buy, Red Wing and Target – are among 60 business leaders in the state to sign an open letterdecrying recent ICE-related violence in Minneapolis and calling for an “immediate de-escalation” of such confrontations.

The letter, issued by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, follows the killing of a second protestor by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in Minneapolis. That most recent death, of ICE protester Alex Jeffrey Pretti, took place Jan. 24; on Jan. 7, Renee Good met a similar fate.

“With [Saturday’s] tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the letter reads. “… In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.”

Among those signing the letter were Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, incoming Target CEO Michael Fiddelke and Red Wing Shoes President and CEO Allison Gettings. According to published reports, Target’s local stores in particular have been the site of tension-filled encounters between ICE, protestors, store employees and customers.

Click here to read the entire text of the letter and its signees.

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