The acclaimed Boston band Dropkick Murphys is set to host a free fundraising concert in Minneapolis on March 6, an event dedicated to honoring the memories of Alex Pretti and Renée Good. Both were American citizens who tragically lost their lives during Donald Trump’s Operation Metro Surge in the city last month, killed by immigration agents. This acoustic daytime show, titled “Abolish ICE: A Fundraiser For the People,” will precede the band's ticketed performance at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul later that evening, aiming to raise awareness and support for the affected community.

The fundraiser is scheduled to commence at 1 p.m. in the Black Forest Inn parking lot, a location chosen not far from where 37-year-old ICU nurse Pretti was killed. The event will feature a diverse lineup of musical acts alongside the Dropkick Murphys, including local bands such as Wild Colonial Bhoys, Danza Ketzal, Brass Solidarity, DJ Jacques, Kiss the Tiger, Sophie Hiroko, Chutes, Laamar, Obi Original, and the Shackletons. For those unable to attend in person, the entire show will be livestreamed, ensuring broad participation in this important cause. Ken Casey, the band's singer, expressed the group’s solidarity, stating, “We are so proud of how Minnesota stood up and met this moment and we are so sad for the community and for the Pretti and Good families for what they’ve gone through. [So] it is an honor to come down and be able to play some music for the people and let them know we stand in solidarity with them.”

The funds generated from “Abolish ICE: A Fundraiser For the People” will be distributed among several vital local charities and initiatives. These include Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Show Up for Eat Street, the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Rent Support For Bancroft Families, and the South Minneapolis Families Fund. The band, through the event’s poster, urged supporters to “Help us support the warriors who’ve stepped up to protect our neighbors and our democracy!!!,” highlighting the community-focused and politically charged nature of their activism.

The Dropkick Murphys have a long-standing history of openly opposing the Trump administration, frequently using their platform to criticize the former president and his policies. Throughout his second term, the band consistently decried his sweeping immigration actions, establishing themselves as vocal critics. This concert continues their tradition of intertwining their music with strong political statements, particularly against actions perceived as unjust or harmful to civil liberties and communities.

Specific instances of their defiance include a July performance at the Vans Warped Tour in Long Beach, Calif., where Ken Casey dedicated their song “First Class Loser” to Trump. During this dedication, Casey explicitly described Trump with disparaging remarks, accompanied by a screen displaying an “FDT” message and videos of Trump with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Furthermore, on St. Patrick’s Day last year, Casey articulated the band's ethos, stating, “Donald Trump is the exact opposite of everything we sing about … He’s turned on his friends. He’s turned on America’s friends and our allies. He’s a rat and a coward when you think of it that way.”

Their activism extends to direct confrontation with Trump supporters at their shows. Last March, Casey notably addressed an individual wearing a MAGA hat, questioning the nature of cults and asserting, “This is America, there’s no kings here.” In a powerful response to the killing of Renée Good, a mother of three, the band even reworked their 2005 song “Citizen C.I.A.” into “Citizen I.C.E.,” specifically targeting Trump’s immigration troops. The new lyrics contained sharp criticism, stating, “They’re poorly trained an army for our kids to fear today/ Take your mask and weapon and then be on your way/ They’re knee-deep in Proud Boys, the party never stops/ Too scared to join the military, too dumb to be a cop.” This concert is a testament to their unwavering commitment to social justice and political commentary through their art.