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Memorial rally for those killed in ICE shootings held in Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - The group Pueblo West Indivisible held a rally to call on Congress to stop the funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ahead of the looming deadline to pass a DHS funding bill. If Congress does not pass the bill by midnight Friday, there will be a partial government shutdown.

"Our specific demand is that we do not fund ICE as a reward for their atrocious and horrific behavior," said Rev. Gary Weaver, an organizer.

On Monday afternoon, those participating gathered in front of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet's Pueblo office to call on other lawmakers to join Senator Bennet in voting no on the DHS funding bill.

Attendees said they wanted to honor the lives of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. There were protest songs, chants, and a memorial with clergy at the end of the rally.

"We want justice for the people who have been murdered by ICE. It's the lack of accountability is awful. It could be any one of us standing here today just because we're here," said Lora Chace, a Pueblo resident.

Though officials with DHS stand by a different story. They say that Pretti, who was armed, violently resisted and was looking to inflict harm on agents. Currently available video of the incident does not show him brandishing or pulling the weapon, which Minneapolis police say he legally owned. DHS says that the agent who fired shots at Pretti was in fear for his life.

KRDO13 reached out to U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen, U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert, U.S. Representative Jeff Crank, U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper for comment on the shooting that occurred over the past weekend. This article will be updated with any responses we receive.

An employee at U.S. Representative Hurd's office said he was not available for an interview on Monday. U.S. Rep. Hurd did, however, share a statement on social media.

Saturday’s fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving federal law enforcement is a serious incident that warrants a full, independent, and transparent investigation before conclusions are drawn. Where facts and broader context are still developing, responsible public voices should allow the investigative process to do its work. Accountability, the rule of law, and public trust depend on getting the facts right.

At moments like this, restraint and sober judgment matter. People have a constitutional right to peacefully assemble and express their views, and to exercise their individual Second Amendment rights. Federal, state, and local law enforcement share a responsibility to work cooperatively to enforce the law, maintain public safety, and protect constitutional rights. Those principles should guide our response as the facts are established.

- Representative Jeff Hurd, X

An employee at U.S. Senator Hickenlooper's office said he was not available for an interview on Monday. U.S. Senator Hickenlooper did, however, share these statements on social media.

Federal officers just shot another person in Minneapolis. This is horrific. We are still learning more about what happened, but one thing is clear, the President needs to get ICE and Border Patrol units out of our communities. NOW.

ICE is out of control. Killing people, separating families, and terrorizing our communities. I’m a NO on the DHS funding bill.

- U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, X

On Tuesday, Rep. Brittany Pettersen will hold a press conference to "correct the record amid continued false and misleading statements from the Trump administration about who Alex Pretti was and the circumstances surrounding his death." According to a press release, she will be joined by other congressional leaders, including Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, as well as Rep. Jason Crow.

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