“Shoot Films not people”: Protesters and celebrities condemn ICE during Sundance

, ICE protest on Main Street during Sundance Film Festival on Monday Jan. 26 2026 Photo: Alex Garcia

PARK CITY, Utah — Protesters gathered Monday on Park City’s Main Street during the Sundance Film Festival to denounce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the fatal shooting of a Minnesota man by a federal border agent, an incident that has sparked demonstrations and condemnation nationwide.

Demonstrators held signs and chanted “shoot films, not people” and “ICE out” in opposition to ICE’s enforcement practices. Organizers said the gathering was meant to show solidarity with Minnesota following the killing of Alex Jeffery Pretti, 37, who was shot Saturday in Minneapolis by a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

A spokesperson with Visibility Brigade, one of the groups involved, said protesters chose to demonstrate during Sundance to amplify their message amid the festival’s international spotlight.

 

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“Our message today is that there is a place for law enforcement and immigration enforcement in the United States,” the protester said. “But it does not involve executing American citizens on the street, knocking on people’s homes without a warrant, or treating other human beings — documented or not — with violence.”

Caroline Gleich, a Park City resident and U.S Senate nominee, was also in attendance.

The protest unfolded as celebrities attending Sundance also spoke publicly about the killing and broader concerns surrounding ICE.

Actor Natalie Portman was photographed wearing a pin reading “ICE OUT” at the premiere of The Gallerist and later described the moment as “horrific,” saying the federal government is attacking civilians. “It’s impossible to ignore what ICE is doing to our country,” she told ABC4.

Actor Elijah Wood told Deadline that the Minnesota shooting was “awful,” adding, “We’re not divided here; we’re coming together.”

Actor and director Olivia Wilde also condemned the killing, telling the AP she was appalled and sickened, calling ICE an “unbelievably criminal organization.”

“I’m horrified by this string of murders that we are somehow legitimizing and normalizing,” Wilde said.

The Minnesota incident remains under investigation. Federal authorities have not publicly released details about the circumstances leading to the shooting.

Park City police monitored the demonstration, which remained peaceful. No arrests were reported.

The protest marked one of several political demonstrations to surface during the opening days of the Sundance Film Festival, which has long served as a platform for social and political expression alongside independent film premieres.