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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – What happened during the Saturday shooting of Alex Pretti is ultimately unclear.
There are two things that appear certain. Pretti is yet another protester who was interfering with ICE law enforcement action. And, he was armed. Bringing a gun to an anti-ICE protest is breathtakingly reckless. Let us assume the narrative that Pretti did not try to unholster his gun. No matter. Getting involved in a shoving match with federal agents while armed is an invitation to disaster.
The target of the ICE enforcement action was Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal record of domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a license. Another agent, trying to apprehend Chuma, had part of his finger bitten off by a protester. The enforcement action was discontinued because of a violent mob.
Huerta-Chuma escaped and walks free today. An ICE agent is permanently maimed. Another protester is dead.
This is madness.
These protests are illegal.
Our Constitution says the people have the right to peacefully assemble to petition the government to address grievances. The protests in Minneapolis are not that. Mobs that throw snowballs and rocks, shoot fireworks, and brawl or block ICE officials are not peaceful. They are unconstitutional.
Even the act of blowing a whistle is circumstantial. Blowing a whistle as part of a protest is a constitutionally protected freedom of expression. But blowing a whistle to alert others of a law enforcement operation is illegal interference. Which is ultimately up to a jury to decide.
I don’t want to see any more protestors killed; even those who go beyond the limits of what’s legal.
The question now becomes which side stands down. The demonstrations in Minneapolis are illegal and are not constitutionally protected. Asking federal law enforcement to step aside is unimaginable.
Chris Conley
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