Dozens of Minnesota state CEOs issued a joint letter urging a de-escalation in the state following the shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 60 executives of Minnesota-based companies, including Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth, signed an open letter posted on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website Sunday calling on state, local and federal officials to work together, as companies grapple with how to address tensions in the state and across the country after two fatal shootings by federal agents amid a massive immigration enforcement operation that has sparked protests.

Read more: Federal and state officials are offering very different messages about immigration suppression after the shootings

“With yesterday’s tragic news, we call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and for state, local, and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the open letter said.

The CEOs who signed the letter include 3M CEO William Brown, Best Buy CEO Corey Barry, General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening, incoming Target CEO Michael Fidelke, UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Helmsley, and others.

Prior to the letter, most major companies based in Minnesota had not made any public statements about increased law enforcement and unrest.

But the problem is becoming more difficult to avoid. Over the past two weeks, protesters have targeted some companies they see as not taking a strong enough stance against federal law enforcement activity, including Minneapolis-based Target. Earlier in January, a Minnesota hotel that did not allow federal immigration agents to stay there apologized and said the refusal violated its own policies after an online uproar.

Meanwhile, Minnesota and the Twin Cities cited the devastating economic impacts in a lawsuit filed this month imploring a federal judge to halt the immigration operations. The lawsuit asserted that some companies reported sales falling by up to 80%.

“In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a rapid and lasting solution that enables families, businesses, our employees and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future,” the letter said.