WNBA All-Star Breanna Stewart held up a sign during the player showcase at Unrivaled in Miami on Sunday, Jan. 25, that read “ABOLISH ICE.”
Stewart, who helped launch the professional 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, is one of several athletes who spoke out after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Stewart’s wife, Marta, is an immigrant who has a green card.
Advertisement
“I was just disgusted by everything you see on Instagram and in the news,” Stewart said.
“We’re fueled so much by hate right now than by love, so I wanted to have a simple message like ‘Abolish ICE,’ which means having policies to uplift families and communities instead of fueling fear and violence.”
Unrivaled observed a moment of silence before Saturday’s games, “to take a moment to reflect on the recent tragic events in Minnesota. Our thoughts and support are with everyone affected, and we send our deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one.”
Breanna Stewart held up a sign reading “ABOLISH ICE” during the player presentation at Unrivaled on Sunday, a day after a second U.S. citizen was fatally shot in Minneapolis.
Pretti’s killing sparked outrage and protests in Minnesota, which has been under tension since Renée Good, 37 years old was fatally shot by an ICE agent earlier this month.
Advertisement
Two-time NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who plays for the Indiana Pacersposted on X: Alex Pretti was murdered.
Brianna Turner, who played for the Indiana Fever last season, posted on X. “The minority that still defends ICE will forever be on the wrong side of history.”
Angel Reese, who will begin her third season with the Chicago Sky next season, said she is praying for America on X.
“Sending all my love and prayers to Minnesota. … I am heartbroken that ICE has turned the city upside down and resorted to violence. There is no place for this,” Minnesota Lynx goalie Natisha Hiedeman wrote on her Instagram Story.
Advertisement
The WNBA has a history of social justice and activism. After George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis in 2020 and protests began, the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) wrote “Black Lives Matter” and “Say Her Name” on the t-shirts they wore for warmups in the WNBA bubble.
Players also campaigned against Atlanta Dream owner Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who criticized the league’s support for Black Lives Matter. After Loeffler’s comments, her team wore T-shirts reading “VOTE WARNOCK” and players supported her opponent Raphael Warnock, an African-American pastor. He was finally elected.
1 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
1 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
2 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
A person is arrested at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026.
3 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
4 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
A federal immigration agent stands guard while another arrests a person at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents, in the Whittier neighborhood in south Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
5 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
People embrace at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
6 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, January 24, 2026.
7 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
A man gestures next to federal agents at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, January 24, 2026.
8 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
Federal agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in the Whittier neighborhood, south of Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, January 24, 2026.
9 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
Federal agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, January 24, 2026.
10 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
11 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
A person wearing a spotter vest joins onlookers after the shooting of a federal agent on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
12 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
13 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
People gather at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
14 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
Federal agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
15 / 15
Man fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. The photos show the scene
Federal immigration agents stand guard at the scene of a shooting involving federal immigration agents, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.