BILLY BRAGG - CITY OF HEROES

The murder of Alex Pretti was horrifically shocking, all the more so as we are still reeling from the images of the murder of Renee Good. That these crimes can be committed in broad daylight, on camera and yet no one is held accountable only adds to the injustice.

I wrote this song yesterday as a tribute to the bravery of the people of Minneapolis who, knowing that these trigger happy ICE thugs operate with seeming impunity in their midst, are still willing to put themselves in harms way to defend their community. Their resistance is an inspiration to us all.

CITY OF HEROES

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”

When they came for the democrats He had nothing to say And when they came for the Jews He just looked the other way

His silence didn’t save him When they came for him as well There was no one to speak out for him Resistance had been quelled

What excuses would you tell yourself If this ever happened to you? Well I live in a city of heroes I know what I would do

When they came for the immigrants I got in their face When they came for the refugees I got in their face When they came for the five-year-olds I got in their face When they came to my neighbourhood I just 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

When they dragged people from their cars I got in their face When they took families from their homes I got in their face When they murdered our sister I got in their face When they murdered our brother I still got in their face

In Dachau Martin Niemöller Suffered for his complicity But in this city of heroes We learn the lessons of history

I will bear witness to terror I will bear witness to tyranny I will bear witness to murder I will bear witness to fascism

Words and Music by Billy Bragg

Engineered, recorded and mixed by Jamie Parker at Echo Town Studio, Dorset

Image taken on the streets of Minneapolis on Friday 23rd January 2026 by Jim Walsh