Tim Walz

Walz's fiery speech: "Thank God we have the video"

Emil Forsberg

Published 21.31

Minneapolis is boiling after the fatal shooting.

Governor Tim Walz takes the protesters to the defense - and calls in the National Guard.

- They want chaos. We cannot, and will not give it to them, he says in a fiery speech.

37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti was shot dead by ICE agents.

He is the third person in Minneapolis in three weeks to be hit by immigration authorities' bullets.

The incident has sparked riots on the streets of Minneapolis.

In an emotional speech to residents, Democratic Governor Tim Walz says that the federal government cannot be trusted.

- We want peace and quiet and for our lives to return to normal. They want chaos. We cannot, and we will not, give them what they want by meeting violence with violence.

Then he addresses Donald Trump directly:

– Donald Trump, I urge you again, remove this force from Minnesota. They are spreading chaos and violence. We have seen deadly violence from the feds again and again and again.

         

         

        Tim Walz during his fiery speech on Saturday evening Swedish time.

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ICE chief Gregory Bovino said that Alex Jeffrey Pretti wanted to “massacre the police”. Something Walz is hitting back at.

The New York Times also states that Pretti did not have a gun in his hand when the federal agents fired ten shots at him.

– He had the right to carry the gun: It is a legal and concealed weapon. Something Republicans have told me for decades that it is not only a right but a duty.

He continues:

– Thank goodness we have the video. Thank God. Because according to the DHS, these seven “heroic guys” had a battalion against them. That’s nonsense, all of them. That’s nonsense and lies. I’m sure, Minnesotans. You know who you are and you show it every day. We’re damn sure of it.

 

Federal police fired tear gas at protesters. Photo: Abbie Parr /AP/TT

After the violent protests where federal forces and Minnesotans clashed, Walz has called in his National Guard. It’s unknown how many there are, but according to Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, they’re “enough.” The goal is to save lives.

– I understand the frustration you feel. They killed a man, created chaos, pushed protesters through the tear gas and left. So we had to clean up. I understand the anger. Minnesota is going to express its civil rights on the streets and get these people out of here.