Bruce Springsteen Remembers Renee Good and Alex Pretti During Minneapolis Tour Launch: 'Their Names Will Not Be Forgotten’

Ilana KaplanWed, April 1, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC

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Bruce Springsteen in March 2026 in MinneapolisCredit: Kevin Mazur/Getty -

Bruce Springsteen kicked off his Land of Hope and Dreams American tour in Minneapolis on Tuesday, March 31

During the show, the New Jersey-born rocker uses his platform to address the state of politics in "dangerous times"

"Minnesota, you gave us hope. You gave us courage," Springsteen told the crowd at the Target Center

Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good during his tour kick-off show.

On Tuesday, March 31, the New Jersey-born rocker launched his Land of Hope and Dreams American tour at the the Target Center in Minneapolis, where he uses his platform to address the state of politics.

Per fan-captured YouTube footage from the evening, Springsteen, 76, told the crowd he wanted to "begin the night with a prayer for our men and women overseas" for their "safe return."

Bruce Springsteen in March 2026 in MinneapolisCredit: Kevin Mazur/Getty

"The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock 'n' roll in dangerous times," he told the crowd. "We are here in celebration and defense of our American ideals, democracy, our Constitution, and our sacred American promise. The America that I love, the America that I’ve written about for 50 years, that’s been a beacon of hope and liberty around the world, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous administration.”

Springsteen then asked the audience to join him and the E Street Band "in choosing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, resistance over complacency, unity over division, and peace over war.”

After the "Dancing in the Dark" performer said the word "war," he and his bandmates performed Edwin Starr’s 1970 classic “War,” which they hadn’t played since 2003.

Before launching into his recent single "Streets of Minneapolis," Springsteen spoke directly to the community of Minneapolis.

“This past winter, federal troops brought death and terror to the streets of Minneapolis,” he said. “Well, they picked the wrong town. The power of solidarity, of the people of Minneapolis, was an inspiration to the entire country. Your strength and your commitment told us this is still America, and this will not stand."

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"Minnesota, you gave us hope. You gave us courage. And for those who gave their lives, Renee Good, mother of three, brutally murdered, and Alex Pretti, VA nurse, executed by ICE and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths. Their bravery, their sacrifice, and their names will not be forgotten," Springsteen said of Good and Pretti, who were both shot by federal agents amid increased ICE activity in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Alex Pretti; Renee GoodCredit: US Department of Veteran Affairs; Knot & Anchor Photography

Midway through the song, Springsteen to lead a chant of “ICE out now!”

Springsteen's gig comes after his performance at the No Kings Rally in St. Paul, Minn. on Saturday, March 28, where he performed performed "Streets of Minneapolis."

In a March 23 interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, he spoke about his decision to perform the track at the political event.

“You want to try to meet the moment,” Springsteen said at the time. “The No Kings movement is of great import right now."

He continued, "When you have the opportunity to sing something where the timing is essential and if you have something powerful to sing, it elevates the moment, it elevates your job to another level. And I’m always in search of that.”

The event also included Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Jane Fonda, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers and more.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”