Minneapolis nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The editors of The Nation magazine revealed they are in the process of formally nominating the city of Minneapolis and its residents for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, according to a statement published Wednesday.

The nomination comes in response to the city’s handling of federal immigration enforcement operations that have drawn national scrutiny.

The publication, which has Nobel laureates on its editorial board and is therefore qualified to submit nominations, plans to send its nomination statement to the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday. The statement credits Minneapolis residents and elected leaders with demonstrating commitment to human dignity and protection of vulnerable communities during what the magazine calls unprecedented times.
The nomination follows a series of fatal shootings by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

On Jan. 7, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three. On Jan. 24, Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital.

Both shootings occurred during Operation Metro Surge, described by the Department of Homeland Security as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. The operation sent approximately 3,000 federal agents to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area beginning in early January.

In its nomination statement, The Nation’s editorial board wrote that Minneapolis has met and exceeded the Nobel Committee’s criteria for advancing democracy, human rights and work aimed at creating a better organized and more peaceful world.

The statement quotes the widow of Renee Good, who said residents confronted federal agents armed only with whistles used to alert neighbors when immigration enforcement was present in their communities. The Nation described this as an example of nonviolent resistance that has captured national and international attention.

The nomination acknowledges that no municipality has ever received the Nobel Peace Prize in its 125-year history. However, the editors argued that Minneapolis deserves recognition during what they characterize as unprecedented times. There is no rule against the prize honoring a city.

The Nation’s editorial board includes historical connections to Nobel Peace Prize recipients. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as the magazine’s civil rights correspondent from 1961 to 1966, during which time he received the Peace Prize in 1964.

It remains unclear whether The Nation’s editorial board meets the formal criteria required to submit valid Nobel Peace Prize nominations. According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, eligible nominators include members of national assemblies and governments, members of international courts, university professors in relevant fields, and current or former members of the Nobel Committee itself. The Nation notes its editorial board has featured Nobel laureates, though whether this qualifies the publication to submit nominations is uncertain.

The Minneapolis nomination comes as President Donald Trump, who has expressed interest in winning the Nobel Peace Prize, faces criticism over the federal immigration enforcement tactics employed in the Minnesota city. Following the two fatal shootings, the Trump administration announced plans to reduce the federal presence in Minneapolis but have so far failed to follow through.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the killings a consequence of governance designed to generate fear and conflict. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey questioned how many American lives must be lost before federal operations end.

Federal officials defended both shootings, stating agents acted in self-defense. However, eyewitness accounts and video evidence have contradicted many aspects of the federal government’s narrative in both cases, especially the labeling of “domestic terrorist” on both victims. State and local officials have reported being blocked from accessing crime scenes and conducting independent investigations, despite court orders requiring evidence preservation.

The shootings have sparked widespread protests in Minneapolis, with thousands attending candlelight vigils and demonstrations. A GoFundMe fundraiser for Pretti’s family reached $1 million within days of his death.

Cultural figures have also responded to the events. Bruce Springsteen released a protest song titled “Streets of Minneapolis” on Jan. 28, which he wrote and recorded in response to the deaths of Good and Pretti. On Jan. 30, musician Tom Morello held a benefit concert in Minneapolis that included a surprise performance by Springsteen.

The Nation’s nomination statement also references King’s 1964 Nobel Prize acceptance speech, in which he spoke of moving with determination and a majestic scorn for risk and danger to establish freedom and justice. The editors concluded their statement by expressing belief that the people of Minneapolis have displayed the love King described as the foundation of nonviolent resistance.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee will review nominations submitted by the Feb. 1 deadline and announce its decision later in 2026.