Minneapolis is still witnessing a rapidly growing vigil, as residents begin to come together and grieve the death of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti. He was tragically killed by ICE agents while observing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation. The tragedy has sparked anger and anxiety among the community, intensified by the recent federal campaign and the ongoing violence that has claimed multiple lives in the city.
On Saturday evening, hundreds of people braved subzero temperatures to hold an emotional vigil for Pretti. Despite the biting cold, community members adorned a makeshift memorial with flowers, candles, and heartfelt messages, creating a poignant tribute in the snowbanks and asphalt of Minneapolis. Today’s rally is a testament to the city’s resilience and resolve—a commitment not to be broken, but to stand together when faced with challenges and hate.
Minneapolis officials moved quickly in the wake of the shooting, requesting a judicial injunction on the very day of the shooting. Recently, newly sworn-in Police Chief Brian O’Hara lamented the department’s stretched-thin resources. He told lawmakers that his officers, in his words, are “stretched to the breaking point.” He described the current climate in Minneapolis as untenable, emphasizing the difficulties that officers encounter as violence escalates at record levels.
Pretti’s death is the second killing of an American citizen in Minneapolis within a week. It’s understandable given the fact that there have been three shootings in only three weeks. On Sunday morning, other new videos surfaced, depicting federal agents facing off against onlookers at the apartment complex where George Floyd was arrested in north Minneapolis. This only stoked the community’s fears further. This persistent strife highlights the increasingly antagonistic relationship between federal agents and members of the communities they target.
“This is the second American citizen that’s been killed, third shooting within three weeks.” – Unattributed
As former Minneapolis mayor RT Rybak was adamant that day, during this extraordinary moment, unity is everything. He noted that this global spotlight on Minneapolis could serve as a catalyst for the community to come together for a “common purpose” of protecting one another. His sentiments were in tune with the city-wide grief and resolve that has swept across this beautiful, sprawling metropolis.
Mayor Jacob Frey took to social media to echo these sentiments days after the vigil. He praised the thousands who attended, stating, “Last night, thousands of people came out to remember Alex Pretti and Renee Good.” He too hailed the peaceful character of each of the memorials, resulting in no arrests and no accounts of breaks-in or arson.
“The memorials and gatherings were peaceful, and there were no arrests and no reports of burglaries or fires.” – Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey
Their personal stories have expanded our collective understanding of the painful reality that residents are experiencing every day. “The tragedies we continue to experience together are horrifying but our people are beyond beautiful and we don’t take your shit,” they stated.
Even as the vigil has expanded, many of the mostly Black residents in this ward’s neighborhoods are still scared for their safety. The cumulative impact of this recent string of violence has left a heavy, frightening cloud hanging overhead. Despite their anguish, residents have shown they’re committed to healing together any way they can.