Thoughts From Our President

Silence Is Not an Option It's Time For Moral Leadership and National Healing

People protest against Federal immigration agents on Friday, 23 Jan 2026, in Minneapolis. AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

January 2026

Dear Substantial Community,

In recent days, America has once again been confronted with profound tragedy and deep questions about who we are as a nation. In Minneapolis, two Americans have lost their lives during federal immigration enforcement operations—most recently, 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an ICE operation. Prior to this, 37‑year‑old Renée Good was also killed in a separate encounter with an ICE officer earlier this month. These deaths have sparked grief, protest, and some wild debates across our country—and rightfully so.

These are not just headlines. They are human beings. These people were someones children, they were parents, relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors—whose loss will be felt by families, communities, and those still conscience in our country.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” His words resonate now more than ever. We cannot, we must not, be silent! There is no way we can risk these types of policies and practices to undermining our democracy. While it may not be perfect, it's all we have and it's what we must fight to preserve.

Leadership matters. The culture of any organization, flows from its leadership’s moral compass, decisions, and values. When leadership falters in judgment, when it fails to embrace empathy and a commitment to human dignity, the consequences are felt most by those who are vulnerable, underrepresented and those that go unheard.

We are a nation built on the promise of democracy, a system that depends on accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. American democracy is strengthened, not weakened, when we confront painful truths together, engage in honest dialogue, and work tirelessly to ensure that every person is treated with fairness and respect. And when these promises are challenged its our constitutional right to speak out, speak up and peacefully protest. Don't believe me, read it for yourself—First Amendment.

This moment calls for courageous leadership at every level.

We need to call on our local, state, and federal elected officials—regardless of race, sex, nationality, political affiliation, or any other identifier that too often divides us—to act now to repair the fabric of America.

We must:

• Demand full and transparent investigations into these deaths and the circumstances that led to them.

• Ensure accountability and reforms for law enforcement and federal agencies entrusted to serve the public with integrity.

• Reaffirm our commitment to civil liberties, human rights, and the sanctity of life in every community.

  
  

Now is not the time for division. Now is the time for leadership that honors the sacred promise of our democracy. Honor the promise in which all of us have a voice, and all of us are protected under the law.

We owe this not only to the memories of those we have lost, but to the future generations of this nation.

Greg Hedgepeth

President and Editor-in-Chief Substantial