Alex Pretti was an ICU Nurse who cared for Veterans. Friday, Veterans for Peace hosted a solemn memorial for Pretti at the site where he was killed by federal immigration agents during a protest.
There was music, prayer, and remembrance.
"Like Philando Castile, George Floyd, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti, and all those who have been sacrificed to show us that we are all innocent and good people," Strong Buffalo said to the crowd.
"One of the things that we say at memorial services is that we do not always find meaning right away," Reverend Oscar Sinclair added. "Sometimes it takes time. The last time I stood on this corner, you could still smell tear gas."
There were hundreds gathered at the site, and a letter of remembrance written by co-worker Jessica Hauser was shared, and delivered by veteran Barry Riesch.
"It does not surprise me that his final words were, are you OK," said Riesch. "Final words. Caring for people was at the core of who he was. He was incapable of causing harm. He lived a life of healing, and he lived it well."
Pretti spent his career caring for critically ill veterans at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.
The memorial concluded with Taps being played, and bell ringing.
Another protest march in downtown Minneapolis Friday
This is the third consecutive Friday in downtown where protesters marched through the streets, chanting, carrying signs, and calling for the end to this ongoing crackdown of immigration in the Twin Cities.
"We want to do what's right," one protester told WCCO's Laura Oakes. "We're standing up for our neighbors. We just can't get ice out of here."
Most of the chants were "ICE out now," with some calling it "our streets," and others chanting "no hate, no fear."
All was peaceful downtown, but it was certainly a disruption to afternoon commuters and downtown traffic.
The same can't be said at the University of Minnesota, however. A report from a university representative Friday afternoon said it looks like six people chained themselves together outside Morrill Hall.
All six were arrested.