Bookstore Owner Confronts ICE and Goes Viral
The reaction of a Minneapolis bookseller went viral and reignited the debate over federal immigration operations.
Posted on 31/01/2026 at 02:31
- Minneapolis ICE protest video goes viral
- Anger toward ICE
- Bookseller becomes a symbol
A viral video turned the rage of a Minneapolis bookseller into a symbol of public anger toward federal immigration enforcement.
Greg Ketter never planned to become a national trend. He was not seeking fame or recognition. He was simply furious.
The owner of Dream Haven Books & Comics decided he would not tolerate it anymore. If that meant more federal immigration agents leaving his city, so be it.
Ketter, the shop’s owner on E. 38th St., appeared in a video on January 24. The footage shows him walking through tear gas.
Minneapolis bookseller confronts ICE and goes viral
Protester in Minnesota: I’m 70 years old and I’m fucking angry *disappears into gas* pic.twitter.com/yeFY753YVb
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 24, 2026
The video also captures him cursing, visibly affected, according to USA Today.
The gas was deployed by federal immigration agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It occurred shortly after they shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
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Greg Ketter did not know Pretti. But he had previously attended protests against ICE in the city.
When he learned of the shooting, he drove to Nicollet Avenue. He wanted to join the crowd that was beginning to grow.
A passerby asked if he was okay. Ketter’s response was direct. “I’m furious,” he said. “I’m 70 years old and I’m furious.”
One viral video, tear gas, and a city at the breaking point because of ICE
«Comics retailing legend Greg Ketter standing up to ICE in Minneapolis. Yes, that’s tear gas. He’s 70 years old.» https://t.co/mCg6wCMBSh pic.twitter.com/qCqFEefoyY
— 🄼🄴🄴🄷🄰🅆🄻 ⭕ (@meehawl) January 25, 2026
Wearing a knit cap, a plaid jacket, and a black scarf, Greg Ketter was immortalized. For a moment, he embodied collective frustration, sadness, and anger.
His image resonated with many residents of the Twin Cities—and with millions of Americans.
The video reflected anger over the immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump. That context was key to its impact.
Ketter is actually 69 years old. He said 70 due to the nerves of the moment. “They just killed him,” he said on camera. He was referring to Pretti. His voice cracked.
Two days after the killing and the use of tear gas, changes followed. Trump replaced the leader of Operation Metro Surge.
Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino stepped down from the post. Trump addressed the issue on January 27.
He described Bovino as “rather eccentric” and said he was seeking to reduce escalating conflicts.
The anger spreading across Minnesota
Greg ketter, the man that disappeared, into a could of gas.
«there is more of us, that there is of them»
«if they are going to start killing people randomly, it’s going to create a lot of fear and panic»
«people are going to stand up»
Greg ketter USA 2026 😥#usa #Minnesota… pic.twitter.com/8Th0FYxv6t— Ragglock throw stuff on the wall 🇩🇰 (@Ragglock) January 27, 2026
Minnesota had already been experiencing weeks of protests. Tens of thousands of people had demonstrated in the city.
Pretti’s killing intensified the anger. The city was already marked by another recent case.
On January 7, Renee Good was killed. According to the context of the protests, the circumstances were similar.
The video of Greg Ketter and the accompanying photo spread rapidly. The reaction was immediate.
Dream Haven Books & Comics saw a notable increase in activity. The bookstore has been in the same location for 18 years.
For nearly all that time, a poem has greeted visitors. It is “First They Came,” by Martin Niemöller.
The copy is yellowed and old. The message is clear and persistent. The poem warns against failing to defend one’s neighbors—especially when they do not resemble you.
Ketter said that sentiment had been with him for weeks. He felt he expressed it, albeit less articulately.
From street protest to viral phenomenon
The impact was tangible. The bookstore’s sales increased by 700% in just a few days.
Former employers called to check on him. Old friends reached out as well.
Some offered donations. Others offered support and solidarity.
Greg Ketter said he felt overwhelmed by the response. He did not expect it. Well-known authors helped amplify the video. The photos also circulated widely.
Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt contributed to its spread, further boosting its reach.
“I was angry, sad, and frustrated,” Ketter explained. He believes that was obvious to everyone. “I feel like I spoke for them,” he added. “I spoke for millions of people.”
For Ketter, the moment was spontaneous. For many others, it became a portrait of a city pushed to its limit—captured in the Minneapolis ICE protest video.
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