Thousands of Minnesotans Honor Alex Pretti at Vigils Amid Growing Concerns Over ICE Presence

In a powerful show of solidarity and grief, thousands of Minnesotans gathered for emergency vigils across the Twin Cities to honor the life of Alex Pretti, a young man tragically shot and killed by a federal agent.

The largest gathering took place on Saturday night at Whittier Park in Minneapolis, where hundreds, if not thousands, of community members came together to remember Pretti and voice their concerns regarding the increasing presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the area.

As the sun set, the atmosphere in Whittier Park shifted from a lively gathering to a somber memorial.

Attendees held candles and flowers, creating a small memorial space to honor Pretti’s memory.

The crowd was filled with a palpable sense of shock and sadness, as many expressed their anger over the circumstances surrounding his death.

“What do we want?” echoed through the park, met with a resounding chant of “ICE out!” This collective cry reflected the deep-seated frustration and fear that many residents feel about the federal agency’s activities in their community.

Rich, a reporter on the scene, noted the significant turnout, stating, “It was a pretty big turnout. Hundreds if not thousands of people are here.”

As the night progressed, the crowd grew quieter, with many attendees taking a moment to reflect on the loss and what it signifies for the larger community.

One vigil attendee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their feelings about the situation: “It’s stressful and sad and scary. It’s horrible.”

The sentiment was echoed by others, who expressed their outrage at the violence that led to Pretti’s death.

Freddie’s father, Michael, a 37-year-old VA ICU nurse, spoke passionately about his son’s commitment to social justice and his concerns regarding ICE’s presence in Minneapolis.

“He thought it was terrible—kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street,” Michael said.

“He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong. So he did participate in protests.”

Jeannie Weiner, a neighbor who attended the vigil, expressed her devastation over Pretti’s death.

“I’m not surprised,” she said.

“He was a registered nurse and worked at the Veterans Hospital. He cared about people.”

The atmosphere at the vigil was charged with apprehension about the future.

Many attendees voiced concerns about their safety and the implications of federal enforcement actions in their community.

One participant articulated, “None of us are safe. Even if we’re complying, that doesn’t make us safe. It just makes us helpless.”

The sentiment of the crowd highlighted the importance of the First Amendment rights to assemble and protest peacefully.

“It’s everybody’s First Amendment right to be out here and practice what we preach,” one attendee named Jack stated.

A former U.S. Army member between 2016 and 2020, Jack expressed disbelief at witnessing such events unfold in Minneapolis.

“The world is watching,” he added, emphasizing the significance of the moment.

As the vigil drew to a close, attendees were left with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to continue advocating for justice and change.

The tragic loss of Alex Pretti serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by many in the community, and the need for continued dialogue and action regarding immigration enforcement practices.

The impact of this tragedy will likely resonate throughout the Twin Cities and beyond, as community members come together to honor Pretti’s memory and demand a more just and compassionate approach to immigration policy.

As the night ended, the collective voices of those gathered at Whittier Park echoed a powerful message: the fight for justice and equality must continue, and the community will not be silenced.