At least three public demonstrations are scheduled in Alabama this weekend in response to another killing by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers in Minneapolis.
The events, organized by grassroots activist groups, invite attendees to pay respects and speak out against the Saturday killing of Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent while documenting immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
Pretti, who worked as an intensive care unit nurse at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, was shot multiple times after immigration agents pepper-sprayed him, wrestled him to the ground and removed a licensed handgun he had holstered.
The Birmingham chapter of Indivisible announced that it will hold a candlelight vigil honoring Pretti and “all those that have lost their lives and have been injured at the hands of ICE/CBP” on January 30, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m..
“Birmingham Indivisible will be holding a prayer vigil to shine a light on Alex’s life. We invite nurses, scientists, healthcare professionals and others to join in celebrating and honoring Alex’s legacy,” the organization wrote.
Birmingham Indivisible member Anne Turner-Henson expressed grief for and opposition to Pretti’s killing in a written statement released by the organization on Tuesday.
“As a retired nurse and nurse scientist, I grieve for Alex and his colleagues. Alex demonstrated the highest ethical principles of nursing. He showed up for people on their hardest days, listening when someone felt scared or unheard, offering comfort and empathy,” Turner-Henson said.
“Our profession is grounded in compassionate, patient and family-centered care that honors dignity and human connection. As nurses, we advocate for our patients, their families and our communities,” she continued. “ICE and CBP’s actions across the country are harming our communities, our neighbors and ripping people off the streets every day. I stand in solidarity with Alex and his colleagues.”
The vigil will take place at 1st Avenue and 17th Street South, near Railroad Park. Organizers for the Birmingham event emphasized that the vigil is not intended as a protest and encouraged attendees to bring candles or other lights instead of signs.
The Baldwin County chapter of Indivisible has also scheduled a gathering at 5:30 on Friday at the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship “to honor and remember” people who have died in ICE custody.
In Huntsville, Indivisible organizers have invited demonstrators to protest against violence conducted by immigration agents on January 31 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The event follows a candlelight vigil held for Pretti in Madison by the Democratic Socialists of America: North Alabama, alongside Indivisible and other grassroots groups.
Indivisible and DSA members have made two weeks of appearances at the Huntsville City Council’s first meetings of the year, where demonstrators gave public comments asking the city to adopt a resolution preventing the Huntsville Police Department’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agents.
Indivisible Huntsville encouraged Huntsville residents to register to speak against future HPD collaborations with ICE at Huntsville City Council’s meetings on February 12 and 26.
The demonstration will take place on Governor’s Drive between Harvard Road and Gallatin Street.
