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Statement on killing of Alex Pretti, RN by federal agents

Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability.
• 1 minute to read

The WSNA Board of Directors is outraged by the killing of Alex Pretti, RN, at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24. Pretti was an ICU nurse working for the Veterans Health Administration and a member of AFGE Local 3669.

The Minneapolis area has been under federal occupation for weeks, with a massive influx of ICE and Border Patrol officers, ostensibly as part of an intensive effort to apprehend undocumented immigrants. Reports have been ongoing of violence by federal agents, students exposed to chemical agents, healthcare workers being harassed, family separations, and more. Local officials and residents have spoken out about the increasing disruption to communities, schools, and hospitals and have demanded ICE out of schools, hospitals, and the state. Tens of thousands of Minnesotans protested on January 23 in a day of action called by unions, community groups, and faith leaders.

The shooting death of Renee Good on January 7 was, unfortunately, not the only killing carried out in Minneapolis by federal agents. Alex Pretti was protesting ICE and Border Patrol activities. Video footage shows him being tackled by several agents and held to the ground when one of the agents shot him repeatedly.

Justice for Alex Pretti is essential, and federal agents must be held accountable for any unlawful actions. We echo calls for a full, unbiased investigation of this killing. DHS has reportedly announced that it will investigate itself. State officials, seeking to conduct their own investigation, say they have been blocked from doing so.

The Code of Ethics for Nurses declares that Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability. (Provision 8.2). Nurses—and all community members—must be free to stand up and speak out without facing violence or death.

We also declare our support for and solidarity with Minnesota’s nurses, educators, and communities—particularly its immigrant communities--who are facing such difficult, traumatic circumstances. And we express our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of our colleague Alex Pretti, RN.