Song: “Streets of Minneapolis”
A song by a rock legend, written quickly in response to national tragedies
Bruce Springsteen wrote, recorded, and released “Streets of Minneapolis” quickly in response to the killing of Renée Good and Alex Pretti during the US Department of Homeland Security’s “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis.
Since December 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ brutalization of residents of the city and elsewhere in the US has led to a growing movement called “ICE OUT.”
Good was killed on January 7th, Pretti on January 24th. Springsteen recorded the song on January 27th, releasing it on January 28th. It became the #1 trending song in the US on YouTube the day of its release.
- Springsteen wasn’t the only musician to release a related protest song, with Billy Bragg releasing “City of Heroes” not long after. Lucinda Williams’ “The World’s Gone Wrong” is one that preceded both in what seems to be an energetically emerging anti-fascist oeuvre.
The video below was released yesterday. In it, Springsteen’s hurt and anger are palpable, and the courage, unity, and tenacity of Minneapolis’ citizens and residents are well-represented. They are the heroes in this narrative, ICE leadership and agents the villains.
Thank you, Bruce. You remain a national treasure.