On January 24, 2024, Tracy Wong, owner of the Vietnamese restaurant My Huong Kitchen in Minneapolis, opened her doors to protesters seeking refuge from escalating violence during protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The unrest stemmed from the fatal shooting of local resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, which had already sparked significant public outcry. Just hours later, during a confrontation involving protesters and immigration authorities, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse named Alex Pretti was also shot and killed by a federal agent.
According to Brian O’Hara, the Minneapolis police chief, the incident occurred early Saturday morning at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Following the shooting, the two agents involved were placed on administrative leave as the Department of Homeland Security initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death.
As tensions mounted outside her restaurant, Wong remained inside, preparing to close for the day. “Everybody called me. ‘Go home,’ my family said. ‘Go home. Go home.’ I said, ‘No, I cannot go home. I have to stay here,’” Wong recounted. While other businesses on Eat Street closed their doors, she chose to keep her phone lines open, sensing the turmoil unfolding nearby.
Witnesses to the violence, including KARE-11 reporter Samie Solina and photojournalist Mitchell Yehl, reported chaos as ICE and Border Patrol agents moved rapidly toward a specific area, leading to panic among crowds. “That’s when all hell broke loose,” Yehl described, recalling a flash-bang explosion at his feet. As Solina struggled to breathe from tear gas, she and Yehl found themselves fleeing toward Wong’s restaurant.
With people running in fear, Wong took immediate action. “I saw people running so close to my restaurant, and I said, ‘Everybody, come on in. Please, come in. Be safe in here,’” she stated. This spontaneous gesture of compassion led to approximately 50 to 100 individuals finding shelter in her establishment, where she offered them water, tea, and pho.
The moment was captured on video by Yehl and quickly went viral, showcasing Wong’s selfless act. Solina expressed gratitude, emphasizing the warmth of Wong’s embrace amid the chaos. “If there was ever an example of an angel in this world, I’d say it’s Tracy,” Yehl remarked.
In the aftermath of the incident, Wong’s restaurant experienced an influx of support from the community and beyond. Customers called from across the United States, Australia, and Canada, expressing their admiration for her actions. One father, whose daughter was present during the protests, rushed to the restaurant upon seeing her on the news, later receiving confirmation that she was safe inside My Huong Kitchen.
By Tuesday, Wong had reopened her restaurant to find a line of supporters eager to show their appreciation. “I think it was probably a little overwhelming for a small business owner to get this surge of attention, but people just wanted to support her so much because her story touched so many people,” Solina noted.
Even during her restaurant’s closure, Wong continued her act of kindness by inviting those seeking warmth to enjoy free tea. Reflecting on her experience, she expressed a hope that others would follow her example. “Please help people, be safe, and have peace,” Wong urged, a sentiment that resonates deeply in her community.
As Minneapolis grapples with the implications of these tragic events, Tracy Wong’s actions serve as a reminder of the power of compassion in times of crisis.
