U2, the Irish rockers who have never been shy about commenting about America, have released a new song, “American Obituary,” about Renee Good and Minneapolis.
“Renee Good born to die free,” Bono blares. “American mother of three/Seventh day January/ A bullet for each child, you see/The color of her eye/930 Minneapolis/To desecrate domestic bliss/Three bullets blast three babies kissed/Renee the domestic terrorist???”
Good, a Minneapolis poet and married mother of three, was fatally shot by an ICE agent on Jan. 7 on Portland Avenue in south Minneapolis.
U2 are the latest artists to release a song about the impact of ICE’s operation in Minnesota, notably following Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis” and Jesse Welles’ “Good vs. I.C.E.”
The 4½-minute tune is part of a new EP “Days of Ash: Six Postcards from the Present … Wish We Weren’t Here,” released on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18.
On Wednesday afternoon, Good’s family responded to “American Obituary.”
“She valued people, community and connection,” Becca Good, Renee’s wife, said in a statement. “She would be deeply moved by this tribute from U2, and would hope it makes a difference in the world.”
Good’s parents and siblings also released a statement: “It is an incredible honor to have the talent and impact of U2 spreading a message of peace in Renee’s name. We certainly feel the urgency of the country’s situation reflected in the band’s powerful call for change and coming together.”
