“`html
Sundance Protests: Celebrities Condemn Federal Agent Shooting and Call for Action
Table of Contents
PARK CITY, Utah – 2026-01-27 12:14:00 – Celebrities at the Sundance Film Festival are using the platform to protest the recent killing of a man by federal agents in Minneapolis, and to voice concerns about what they describe as escalating violence at the hands of law enforcement.
filmmakers and actors at Sundance are publicly protesting a recent shooting by federal agents,raising questions about the use of force and accountability.
Key Takeaways
- Olivia Wilde and Natalie Portman are wearing pins referencing Renee Nicole Good,who was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.
- Documentarian Alex Gibney described the situation as “state-sponsored terrorism perpetrated on Americans.”
- The Department of Homeland Security maintains the shooting was in self-defense, a claim disputed by witnesses and the victim’s family.
- edward Norton suggested a general economic strike as a potential response to the perceived escalation of violence.
Protest at Sundance
“If we can do something out here to support the movement and wipe out ICE, to delegitimize this incredibly criminal organization, then I’m proud to be at sundance with my colleagues.”
Disputed Account of the Minneapolis Shooting
The case centers on a shooting involving Border Patrol agents and a man identified as Pretti. The Department of Homeland Security stated that officers fired in self-defense after Pretti, who they said was armed with a gun, resisted attempts to disarm him. Though, eyewitnesses, local officials, and Pretti’s family dispute this account, asserting that he was holding a phone, not a weapon. A BBC analysis of available videos found no evidence of a gun in Pretti’s hand.
Concerns Over “State-Sponsored Terrorism”
Documentarian Alex Gibney, at Sundance with “Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie,” highlighted the role of video evidence in shaping public perception. He told the Los Angeles Times, “it’s both unusual and disturbing. The good thing is that we have the evidence. It’s clear that this is a type of state-sponsored terrorism perpetrated on Americans.”
Calls for Direct Action
Edward norton, star of “The Invite,” expressed a sense of helplessness and urged direct action. “These are not normal times,” Norton said. “It is indeed as if we are helplessly watching extrajudicial attacks on Americans and human beings. We cannot act as if this is not happening. We must demand direct action. A general economic strike could be an answer, at least until this chaos is over.”
A Broader Expression of Discontent
Natalie Portman, in Park City for “The Gallerist,” is also displaying the “ICE Out” and “Be Good” pins. “What is happening in this country, these days, is horrible,” Portman said. “What the federal government,the trump government,Kristi Noem,ICE are doing is truly the worst of the worst of humanity. On the other hand, we have the best of humanity rather. We are witnessing
