The open letter signed by 60 CEOs of minnesota-based companies represents a rare instance of corporate leaders publicly addressing a politically charged issue in a highly polarized environment.
However, the letter’s attempt to navigate a delicate balance may not ultimately benefit these brands for their willingness to take a stand.
Issued on January 25 by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the missive followed the fatal shooting of alex Pretti, a legal observer at a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics used in pursuing individuals the President has described as “criminal illegal aliens.” Pretti’s death occurred after ICE agents shot and killed Renée Good, 37, also at an anti-ICE protest on January 7.
While the timing behind these chief executives’ public statement remains unclear, the shooting of Pretti appears to have been a breaking point, prompting a response despite the potential repercussions companies face for taking political positions—from either side of the spectrum.
“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the open letter stated. Signatories included the CEOs of Best Buy, Cargill, Ecolab, General Mills, Hormel, and Target.
ADWEEK’s request for comment to all of these brands received no responses.
ICE launched Operation Metro Surge—a campaign to “remove the worst of the worst from Minneapolis Streets”—in December. The agency reported on january 19 that it had “arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children, and reigning terror.”
However, the fact that the two American citizens killed by ICE agents were a poet and mother of three, and a nurse from a VA hospital, has drawn scrutiny to the mission, raising questions about its execution.
