By Tom Skinner
January 29, 2026 |
Billy Bragg has released a new track titled ‘City Of Heroes’, created as a tribute to the people of Minneapolis. You can listen to it below.
The singer songwriter and longtime political campaigner wrote the song in response to protests against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which erupted following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in the Minnesota city.
The ICE agent who shot Good has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is carried out, alongside the two agents involved in the fatal shooting of Pretti, according to BBC News.
ICE has referred to its actions in Minnesota as “the largest mass deportation operation in American history”.
“The ghost of Martin Niemöller haunts the halls of history/ When they came for the communists/ He said, ‘It’s nothing to do with me’,” Bragg sings on the song’s opening lines.
The lyric references German pastor Martin Niemöller and his failure to speak out during the early rise of Nazism in the 1930s.
He continues: “When they came for the immigrants/ I got in their face/ When they came for the refugees/ I got in their face/ […] They use tear gas and pepper spray/ Against our whistles and our phones/ But in this city of heroes/ We will protect our home.”
“The murder of Alex Pretti was horrifically shocking,” Bragg said while discussing ‘City Of Heroes’, which he wrote, recorded and released within a 24 hour period.
“That shock was intensified because we were already grappling with the footage showing the killing of Renee Good. That acts like this can happen in broad daylight, captured on camera, with no immediate accountability, only deepens the sense of injustice.”
He added: “I wrote this song as a tribute to the bravery of the people of Minneapolis. Even knowing that these trigger happy ICE thugs are operating around them, people are still prepared to put themselves in danger to defend their community. That resistance is an inspiration to everyone.”
Bragg’s release follows a similar move by Bruce Springsteen, who recently shared ‘Streets Of Minneapolis’, a song paying homage to the city while condemning Donald Trump and ICE. That track was also written and released quickly. “I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today,” Springsteen said.
Elsewhere, Billie Eilish has called on her “fellow celebrities” to “speak up” about ICE’s actions. Her brother and creative partner Finneas criticised what he described as hypocritical arguments around gun laws used to justify the fatal shooting of Pretti, a 37 year old nurse.
Earlier this month, Eilish also spoke out against ICE following the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
Other artists and public figures who have voiced opposition include Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, Neil Young, Moby, Zara Larsson, musician and Stranger Things actor Joe Keery, Spider Man actor Yuri Lowenthal, Duran Duran, Dave Matthews and more.
Last September, Bragg supported protests against Trump’s visit to the UK, describing it as “a moment of national humiliation”. He added: “Sucking up to bullies never pays off.”
That same month, the musician released the song ‘Hundred Year Hunger’, expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine. He also staged his ‘Days Like These’ Palestine benefit concert in London.
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He added:
