ACLU Email

We just joined the ACLU of Minnesota's lawsuit Tincher v. Noem to help protect protestors and people documenting ICE activity from out-of-control federal agents. Meanwhile, Congress votes TODAY on whether to give ICE a blank check to continue its abusive operations – tell your Senator to rein in ICE now.

Friend –

The ACLU has joined Tincher v. Noem, a lawsuit brought by ACLU of Minnesota and its partners to protect people peacefully protesting and documenting ICE activity in Minnesota from government retaliation. In the wake of the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents this week, this case remains of vital importance.

Here is a breakdown of events leading up to our joining this case:

On December 17: ACLU of Minnesota and its partners Ciresi Conlin, Forsgren Fisher, and Riach Law filed Tincher v. Noem, a class action lawsuit on behalf of six community members whose constitutional rights were violated by ICE and other federal agents while protesting or documenting their actions in Minneapolis.
On January 16: Just days after Renee Good was killed by federal agents, a federal judge issued an order restricting federal agents from retaliating against peaceful protesters and people documenting ICE activity in Minnesota – including the use of pepper spray and unlawful arrests.
Just last week: A federal appeals court temporarily paused the order preventing federal agents from using pepper spray and abusive tactics to retaliate against Minnesota community members.
Last Saturday: After federal agents pepper-sprayed, shot, and ultimately killed Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse from Minnesota, ACLU of Minnesota filed an emergency motion, along with harrowing eyewitness testimony, with the same appeals court asking it to reinstate the district court's order. The court chose on Monday evening not to reinstate the order.

But the legal fight continues. We cannot afford inaction while Minnesotans continue to face harm and retaliation for exercising their constitutional rights at the hands of government agents – so we're going to court.

We must make it clear to the Trump administration that the Constitution is still the law of the land – and that we all have the right to speak out and to document abuses without fear of government retaliation.

We'll keep you updated as this case continues to move and as our entire team at the ACLU continues to defend our fundamental rights in the courts and across the country at this urgent time.

Thanks for all you do,

The ACLU Team

P.S. As our lawyers demand action from the courts right now, you can demand action from Congress too: Before the Senate votes today, send a message to stop ICE's attacks on our communities now.