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Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys says it's important to the band to visit the Minneapolis site where federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti on Jan. 24. 

“This is something every American should have to go see with their own eyes,” Casey tells MPR News. “It marks such a monumental change in American society, where our citizens are being executed on the streets of our cities.”

Casey adds: “I just want to say that the people of Minnesota have made the rest of the country so proud.”

The Irish-American punk band from Massachusetts will play a 4 p.m. acoustic set at the free 

“Abolish ICE: A Fundraiser for the People”

 concert 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 6, near the Pretti memorial at 26th and Nicollet in Minneapolis. The fundraiser is set to help raise money for rent relief programs, Eat Street businesses and mutual aid efforts.

The Dropkick Murphys will join local bands and musicians, including Kiss the Tiger, Laamar, Sophie Hiroko, Brass Solidarity, Wild Colonial Bhoys and more, adding the stop before their Dropkick Murphys show that night at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul.

“A lot of people say shut up and sing, but in a time like this, that would be the most selfish thing you could do,” Casey says. “If you think that what happened to Alex Pretti and Renee Good — or anyone else that's been a victim of ICE tactics — is okay, then I don't want you at our show anyway.”

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The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti

Alex V. Cipolle

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Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey says the band will visit the Minneapolis site where federal agents killed Alex Pretti and perform a free acoustic set at an anti-ICE fundraiser there, arguing the killing represents a profound shift in American society and that musicians should speak out about it.

Dropkick Murphys, local bands to play free concert at Alex Pretti memorial

A man sings and points off stage during a rock performance.

Dropkick Murphys, local bands to play free concert at Alex Pretti memorial

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