The cycling community in the US state of Minnesota has come together to support a ‘unity ride’ being held this weekend after two residents were killed by immigration officers.
Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were killed protesting the deployment of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the city of Minneapolis. Since Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in 2025, ICE have ramped up their apprehension and deportation of suspected illegal immigrants from the country. However, ICE have been accused of illegally deporting American citizens from the country. There has also been evidence of an overruling of due process and racial profiling of both individuals and businesses.
Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was a keen cyclist who Bikepacker.com described as “a longtime member of the Bikepacking Collective, and part of our community. He was kind, compassionate, and a good friend and neighbour to many.”
The Angry Catfish bike cafe in Minneapolis, where Pretti was a customer, said he was “murdered standing up to bullies in his city” and has organised a unity ride in the city. Titled “Ride Together Stand Together”, organisers hope the event will “remember Alex for what he was. A kind and caring soul put on this earth to be the light for others.”
The event is organised in collaboration with several cycling communities in the city and more than 30 solidarity rides are planned across the country but also in locations as far-flung as Sydney, Australia and Hmburg, Germany.
Businesses in the bike industry have given their support to the initiative. In an Instagram post, Wolf Tooth Components said they were “proud to be based in Minnesota, a state made better by its people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It is impossible to discuss our home without acknowledging the tragedy that is happening here.
“Our community is being unjustly and cruelly targeted by the federal government. Peace, justice, and humanity must be restored.
“We’re not saying this as a brand. We’re saying this as neighbors, friends, and family members. We’re saying this as Minnesotans, and as Americans.”
Bike brand Salsa Cycles also shared a post condemning Pretti’s death, and urged people to “stand up” against “neighbours being unlawfully detained, harassed and murdered”. They also called for residents to contact their political representatives.
“Community is equally important in times like this. Alex Pretti was a member of our local cycling community, and our friends at Angry Catfish bike shop are holding a ride in unity on Saturday, January 31. We encourage you to come ride with us, host a ride in your community, or simply go ride in solidarity on Saturday.”