Minneapolis Witness Details ICE Encounter and Fatal Shooting
A Minneapolis woman who confronted federal immigration officers alongside Alex Pretti in January has publicly recounted the traumatic events of that day, as civil rights lawyers lay the groundwork for a potential class-action lawsuit. Georgia Savageford, who introduced herself as Wynnie, spoke at a news conference on Thursday, describing alleged excessive force used against protesters and monitors during the recent immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.
"That Day Has Changed Me Forever"
Savageford stated she had been legally observing federal officers' actions in Minneapolis since the January 7 shooting death of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. On the morning of January 24, she said an agent pushed her twice, causing her to fall.
"As I was going down, three agents proceeded to tackle me and drag me face-down into the middle of the street. They knelt on my back, twisted my arms and my legs to the ground, and handcuffed me. The cuffs were so tight I lost feeling in my hands, which resulted in temporary nerve damage," she recounted.
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Meanwhile, Minnesota officials have sued the Trump administration for access to evidence they say is needed to independently investigate the killings.
Witnessing a Fatal Shooting
Savageford said Pretti recorded video of her arrest and yelled at agents to leave her alone. The officers then placed her in the back of a vehicle, where she witnessed agents shoot and kill Pretti on the other side of the street.
"At that moment, I thought I was going to die too. I pleaded with the agents to understand why another life was taken, and to not take mine," she said. She added that agents told her to shut up and stop being hysterical. They subsequently took her to an ICE holding facility where she was held for 12 hours in a cold cell without ready access to food, water, or a bathroom before being released without charges.
Reflecting on Pretti, Savageford said, "I did not know him, but I knew he had my back. I know the kind of heart he had. One that loves and protects without limits."
Lawyers Prepare Groundwork for Class Action
Civil rights attorney John Burris of Oakland, California, along with other lawyers, outlined their strategy at the same news conference. They are paving the way for potential class-action lawsuits over alleged excessive force used against protesters and monitors during the enforcement surge.
Burris, who specializes in police misconduct, has a notable track record. He helped secure an $11 million settlement against the Oakland Police Department in 2003 and a $3.8 million civil jury verdict for Rodney King in 1991. He revealed that he and his colleagues have filed complaints with federal agencies on behalf of 10 people, including Savageford, as an initial step toward a larger class-action lawsuit.
"We have many others that are under investigation that have not completed the process. But I thought it was important for us to start this process now. Put the government on notice that we're here," Burris stated.
The legal actions come amid heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement practices in Minnesota, with advocates calling for accountability and transparency in the wake of these incidents.
