WNBA star Breanna Stewart draws attention after her bold public protest against ICE

WNBA star Breanna Stewart has once again sparked national discussion by taking a highly visible stand against U.S. immigration enforcement, holding up an “Abolish ICE” sign before a high-profile basketball event — a move that has drawn both praise and controversy.

Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP with the New York Liberty and co-founder of the women’s 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, unveiled the sign during player introductions before a Unrivaled game in Florida on Sunday. The gesture came in the immediate aftermath of a fatal shooting in Minneapolis in which a federal immigration agent killed a protester, an incident that has reignited fierce debate over immigration enforcement in the United States.

The Minneapolis shooting that helped propel Stewart’s protest saw 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, shot and killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation on Saturday. Pretti’s death followed another recent fatal encounter involving federal agents and another protester, Reneé Good, earlier in January. Both incidents have triggered widespread public outcry and demonstrations in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Future Basketball Hall of Famer Breanna Stewart raised an ‘Abolish ICE’ sign while being introduced before an Unrivaled competition in Florida on Sunday

The problem is also personal for Breanna Stewart, whose Spanish wife Marta Xargay Casademont (pictured left) is still working to become a US citizen

Stewart explained her decision to make the protest public, saying that the escalating violence and heated national climate left her feeling both disgusted and compelled to act. “All day yesterday, I was just utterly disturbed by everything I saw on social media and in the news,” she told reporters afterward. “We are so fueled by hate right now instead of love. I wanted to convey a simple message of ‘Abolish ICE’ — because what we need are policies that genuinely uplift families and communities rather than ones that fuel fear and violence.”

A moment of silence was held for Alex Jeffrey Pretti prior to an NBA basketball game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors on Sunday in Minneapolis

Stewart’s comments and protest reflect a growing frustration among some athletes and public figures with current U.S. immigration and enforcement policies. Her efforts to spotlight the issue are also shaped by personal experience: her wife, Spanish basketball player Marta Xargay Casademont, is in the process of seeking U.S. citizenship, giving Stewart a personal connection to the broader immigration debate.

The Minnesota Timberwolves players line up with a youth team and honor Renee Good with a moment of silence before the game with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center

National Sports World Reacts to Minneapolis Shootings

Stewart’s protest did not occur in isolation. Across the sports world, teams and athletes have responded to the Minneapolis events with remarks of mourning, solidarity, and calls for change.

In the NBA, a Minnesota Timberwolves game against the Golden State Warriors was postponed amid safety concerns following the shooting, highlighting how deeply tensions in the community have impacted even major sporting events. The league cited the need to prioritize community stability and security when rescheduling the contest.

Federal agents enter the lobby after breaking up a protest outside a hotel in Minneapolis

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch delivered an emotional reflection on the situation, describing Minneapolis as his home and acknowledging how deeply the events had affected players, staff, and fans. “This is where we live, where our families are. It’s heartbreaking to watch what’s happening,” Finch said, his voice breaking at times during his remarks.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, known for his willingness to address social issues publicly, also spoke about the atmosphere in Minneapolis following the shooting. Kerr said the sense of sorrow was palpable and that many players and fans felt overwhelmed by the tragedy. “There’s a pall over the city,” he said, noting that loss of life remains the greatest concern for everyone.

Flowers are left at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead Saturday

The Trump administration is facing accusations of murder following the two killings

Meanwhile, athletes across multiple leagues — from the WNBA to the NBA — have shared their positions online. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton took to social media to call Pretti’s death a murder, while former Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns urged accountability and protections for all people in light of the deadly incidents.

In Minnesota, four major men’s professional teams — the Vikings, Twins, Wild, and Timberwolves — signed a joint letter with business leaders calling for peace, de-escalation, and cooperation among local, state, and federal officials. Their message emphasized a collective desire for healing and a constructive path forward for families and communities impacted by the unrest.

Support and Criticism from Public Figures and Athletes

Reactions to Stewart’s protest have been mixed. Many celebrated the WNBA star’s willingness to speak out, praising her use of platform to highlight an issue about which she feels deeply. Her teammates in Unrivaled, including fellow WNBA players Napheesa Collier and others, also echoed sentiments of solidarity with protesters in Minneapolis.

Some athletes, such as Paige Bueckers, used their visibility to support related causes; Bueckers pledged to match her Unrivaled free-throw challenge winnings — up to $50,000 — for the Hopkins Strong Relief Fund, which aids food security in Minnesota communities affected by recent events. (Yahoo Sports)

However, Stewart’s protest drew criticism from others who felt that sporting events should remain separate from political statements, particularly amid ongoing labor negotiations within the WNBA. Some fans suggested she “stick to basketball,” expressing concern that activism might distract from league priorities such as finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement.

The broader debate taps into ongoing discussions nationally about the role of athletes in political and social issues. The WNBA and the wider basketball community have a history of activism, notably supporting movements such as Black Lives Matter, and this latest demonstration shows those efforts persist as athletes leverage their influence to spotlight causes important to them.

Beyond Basketball: A Broader Movement

Stewart’s protest also fits into a larger pattern of public dissent around immigration policies and use of federal enforcement agencies. Across the country, demonstrations have called for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and public figures across different sectors — including entertainment and civic leaders — have voiced similar sentiments in solidarity with protesters in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

Public opinion is increasingly shifting regarding ICE and its role in immigration enforcement, with recent polling indicating a growing number of Americans favor reimagining or dismantling the agency — a stance that Stewart’s protest clearly aligns with.

What Stewart’s Protest Means

Breanna Stewart’s decision to hold up an “Abolish ICE” sign was not simply a political statement — it was a symbolic act that connected national political tensions with moments of human tragedy and community grief. Whether lauded or criticised, her protest has amplified a conversation about how sports figures engage with social issues and how the nation grapples with questions of justice, enforcement, and human dignity.

Stewart’s message — that policies should focus on uplifting communities rather than sowing fear and division — echoes a broader call for reform in how immigration enforcement is conducted in the United States.