Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis” Moment Left the Crowd Silent

Bruce Springsteen has weighed in on the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection with a newly released song, “Streets of Minneapolis.”

Announcing the track on social media, Bruce Springsteen explained that the song was written on Saturday, recorded the following day, and released immediately in response to what he described as “state terror” unfolding in Minneapolis. He dedicated the song to the city’s residents, its immigrant community, and to the memory of Good and Pretti, signing off with a message urging listeners to “stay free.”

The deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good

On Jan. 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed in Minneapolis during an encounter with federal officers. According to reports and circulating videos, Pretti appeared to be filming U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents when he was restrained on the ground and struck. Footage also appears to show one officer departing the scene carrying what looks like a firearm.

Pretti’s killing was the second fatal shooting involving a federal agent in Minneapolis this month. Earlier, on Jan. 7, Renee Good was shot by an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Both incidents have sparked protests across the country, with activists demanding independent investigations and calling for ICE to be removed from the city.

Reaction from the rock community

Springsteen is among several prominent musicians who have spoken out following the deaths. Graham Nash released a strongly worded statement condemning ICE and President Donald Trump, while reflecting on the long tradition of protest music in his career. In blunt terms, Nash denounced what he described as government-sanctioned violence.

Members of other major rock acts also responded publicly. Neal Schon of Journey reacted on X with a brief but furious message, calling the situation “insane” and demanding it end. Meanwhile, Tom Morello, known for his outspoken political views, shared multiple anti-ICE posts and characterized the agency as a form of secret police in online exchanges following Pretti’s death.

Together, the reactions underscore how the killings have reverberated far beyond Minneapolis, prompting renewed outrage—and artistic response—within the rock community.

Bruce Springsteen, ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ Lyrics
Through the winter’s ice and cold
Down Nicollet Avenue
A city aflame fought fire and ice
‘Neath an occupier’s boots
King Trump’s private army from the DHS
Guns belted to their coats
Came to Minneapolis to enforce the law
Or so their story goes
Against smoke and rubber bullets
By the dawn’s early light
Citizens stood for justice
Their voices ringing through the night
And there were bloody footprints
Where mercy should have stood
And two dead left to die on snow-filled streets
Alex Pretti and Renee Good

Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
Here in our home they killed and roamed
In the winter of ’26
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis

Trump’s federal thugs beat up on
His face and his chest
Then we heard the gunshots
And Alex Pretti lay in the snow, dead
Their claim was self defense, sir
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies

Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Crying through the bloody mist
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis

Now they say they’re here to uphold the law
But they trample on our rights
If your skin is black or brown my friend
You can be questioned or deported on sight

In chants of ICE out now
Our city’s heart and soul persists
Through broken glass and bloody tears
On the streets of Minneapolis

Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Singing through the bloody mist
Here in our home they killed and roamed
In the winter of ’26
We’ll take our stand for this land
And the stranger in our midst
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis