Mark Ruffalo, Natalie Portman slam ICE after Alex Pretti’s death: ‘Don’t pretend this is okay’

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Outrage from Hollywood and the entertainment industry continues to grow after the fatal shooting of Veterans Affairs ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a US Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement protest in Minnesota.

As conflicting narratives emerged from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Trump administration, viral videos of the incident prompted celebrities to condemn Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and use their platforms to demand accountability.

Mark Ruffalo bashes ICE for 'cold-blooded murder'

Pretti was shot dead on Saturday, January 24, as he intervened during a federal immigration operation.

His shooting by Border Patrol agents sparking protests and candlelight vigils across Minneapolis, where mourners gathered around flowers and memorial signs honoring the ICU nurse.

Mark Ruffalo, who has repeatedly criticized ICE, commented on a post shared by NPR, writing, "Cold blooded murder on an American street of a man protecting someone he loves."

The Avengers actor went on to say, "Don't pretend this is okay. We have been invaded by a criminal army from within. Do not pretend this isn't dangerous or wrong."

Florence Pugh hails Pretti as 'hero'

Florence Pugh shared multiple Instagram Stories about Pretti, calling him a hero.

"He was hero. A man that did heroic acts everyday. Not a terrorist. An ICU nurse."

Alongside footage of the incident, she added, "It's a murder. He was murdered. He was protecting a woman who was thrown on the floor."

Hollywood stars take stand against ICE

Several celebrities directly targeted ICE’s presence in US cities, urging followers to oppose the agency.

Jamie Lee Curtis reposted video of the shooting, saying, "There's too much going on that needs to be amplified right now for me to be quiet."

 Lisa Rinna reshared a post that read, "ICE does not belong in our communities," adding, "because they're coming for us next this just the beginnning."

Jonathan Van Ness criticized federal spending on immigration enforcement, writing, "They charged taxpayers $85 BILLION for ice to terrorize America. Tear gassing, beating, detaining innocent protestors / people, and they just killed another human being."

Lin-Manuel Miranda previously amplified calls for ICE to leave communities, while Macklemore shared footage of massive protests sweeping through Minnesota streets.

Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde chime in

The shooting coincided with the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, where multiple actors used press appearances to condemn federal actions.

Natalie Portman, wearing “ICE Out” pins, told Variety, "What's going on in our country right now is absolutely horrific with the federal government, Trump's government, Kristi Noem...ICE. What they're doing is really the worst of the worst of humanity."

Olivia Wilde added, “This country is hurting. I’m appalled and sickened. We can’t go another day accepting this as our new norm. It’s outrageous. People are being murdered, and I don’t want to normalize seeing that violence - on the internet or on film. It’s hideous. If we can do anything to support the movement to cast ICE out and delegitimize this criminal organization, then that’s what we should be doing.”

Edward Norton echoed similar concerns at Sundance, saying, "These days it’s: 'What are we gonna do about mass Gestapo shooting American citizens?' We are sitting here talking about movies while an illegal army is being mounted against US citizens."

Cynthia Nixon accused federal officials of misleading the public, writing that Kristi Noem and the administration were "spreading disgusting lies about the cold blood execution of the young man Alex Pretti who was gunned down in the streets of Minneapolis."

Sophia Bush warned of political double standards, writing, "They're making it clear. If you're for them - for MAGA, for the grift, for the erasure of American law? You can commit a triple homicide and be invited to meet the President. But if you film them because you believe in the Constitution and in democracy? They'll murder YOU."

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter, Tallulah Willis, posted a video to Instagram condemning the actions of ICE.

"I'm absolutely horrified with what's going on in the world... sorry, in our country," she said. "ICE is the scariest thing I've ever seen in my 32 years. I'm really, really scared... I just needed to be able to, on my platform, say if you support [ICE] please unfollow me. I do not want your support. I do not want your likes. If that is something that you feel is right, that is happening - get the f*** away from me."

Conflicting accounts under investigation

Homeland Security officials have maintained that Pretti arrived armed and attempted to interfere with a law enforcement operation, while witnesses in sworn court declarations said they did not see him attack agents or brandish a weapon.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said authorities are conducting a “full, impartial, and transparent” investigation as public pressure mounts and demonstrations continue across the state.

The growing wave of celebrity activism has kept national attention fixed on Pretti’s death, the federal response and the broader debate over ICE’s role in American communities.

 This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.