Moby has joined the growing list of artists speaking out following the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, urging people to stop financially backing corporations that support both Donald Trump and ICE.
On Monday (January, 26th), the producer and long time activist shared a video statement to social media addressing the fallout from Pretti’s death and the broader political climate surrounding ICE’s presence in the city (via billboard).
“The question is not whether we should be outraged and horrified at what’s happening in the United States,” Moby says in the clip, “but rather what are we going to do about it.”
Moby laid out what he sees as practical steps people can take, starting with protest, he described it as a “constitutionally established right” and warned it’s a freedom the Trump administration is actively trying to erode.
Encouraging people to vote
He also encouraged people to vote consistently, stressing that action shouldn’t stop at major election cycles.
“Not just in the upcoming midterms, although that’s very important,” he said, “but in all of the special elections that happen throughout the year.”
Moby’s sharpest criticism was reserved for corporate America, urging fans to “stop supporting the scumbag corporations who support Trump and ICE. We all know who they are. Boycott them.”
Beyond protest and voting, he encouraged people to back politicians actively opposing Trump and ICE, support fellow activists, and prioritise self care to avoid burnout.
“So you can be a strong and healthy activist tomorrow and every day for the rest of your life,” he said, before adding: “Be outraged, be horrified, but as Joe Strummer said, anger can be power if you know how to use it.”
Moby is one of several musicians responding publicly to the violence unfolding in Minneapolis following ICE’s arrival, Seth Troxler also shared a video on Monday urging people to “love each other a bit more,” while Olivia Rodrigo, Finneas and Billie Eilish have all posted statements condemning the situation.
Eilish directly challenged industry silence, asking, “my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up?”
The Trump administration has claimed the officer who killed Pretti acted in self-defence, alleging the ICU nurse was threatening violence with his handgun. However, multiple witness videos reportedly show Pretti did not appear to be holding the weapon, and that an agent had seemingly removed it from his holster before he was shot.
According to the Associated Press, Pretti legally carried the firearm under a Minnesota permit.
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