Alex Pretti Minneapolis, Minnesota shooting: Chicago nurses join labor, faith leaders in prayer vigil at Jesse Brown VA hospital
In Chicago, nurses joined labor and faith leaders Tuesday in a prayer vigil for Alex Pretti.
They honored his life and work as a nurse, while calling out the actions of the Trump administration.
The vigil brought together health care workers at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Chicago alongside many others who may have never met Pretti but who, through their work, see themselves in him.
White roses are among the mementos that now adorn the fence outside the Jesse Brown VA hospital. They were affixed there by fellow nurses, veterans and others who came out to remember Pretti, who was photographed before his death paying tribute to a veteran who had just died.
"As an ICU nurse, I can't help but to see myself in Alex Pretti," Scott Mechanic said.
"In Minneapolis, many of our members worked side-by-side with Alex. They trusted, respected and deeply loved him," said Dr. Nicolette Alberti, a resident physician at University of Illinois Chicago Hospital.
The gathering meant to call out the tactics that led to his death at the hands of Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis this past Saturday.
SEE ALSO: DHS report says 2 agents fired weapons in Alex Pretti shooting
"This hit so close to home because we work with people like Alex in the hospital every single day," said Dr. Andrew Weber, an internal medicine resident.
And while some said the removal of Gregory Bovino from day-to-day operations in Minneapolis is progress, it is accountability for Pretti's death, and others at the hands of federal immigration agents, that they seek.
"We have seen multiple murders occur. Nothing has basically been done here in Chicago about the murder of Silverio. So, the change in leadership, that's some movement. My fear is it's meant to distract from our demands," U.S. Navy veteran Daniel Lakemacher said.
That demand is a complete withdrawal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from U.S. cities. It is one that does not appear likely as President Donald Trump Monday announced Border Czar Tom Homan would be taking over leadership of the operation in Minneapolis, which he appeared to indicate will continue.
"Their crime is way down. You know why? Because we took out thousands of criminals out of Minnesota. It's going very well. We are good," Trump said.
A second vigil is being planned outside Jesse Brown in honor of Pretti. That one is scheduled to take place Wednesday evening.
