SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — An outpouring of support in the Bay Area for the man shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on Saturday morning.
“Indivisible SF” organized the vigil at Sutro Heights Park saying it was to honor Alex Pretti–a Veterans Affairs nurse–and “other victims of ICE.”
A solemn vigil set against the twilight sky. Concerned Bay Area residents, many of them nurses, stand united Sunday night. They’re remembering Nurse Pretti.
“We got to get out here and mourn our colleague who was killed,” said Mark Smith, a demonstrator.
MORE: Bay Area protesters rally after ICU nurse Alex Pretti fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis
Protestors from across the Bay Area and beyond gathered within hours of the shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital.
Organizers with indivisible sf explain why the vigil is being held at Sutro Heights Park.
“This is fairly close to SF VA Hospital and Alex Pretti was a VA nurse, he worked for the veteran’s administration, and he was killed by our federal government,” said Peter Hosey with Indivisible SF.
Demonstrators say they are showing support and solidarity.
“We want to honor his life, we want to honor all of the lives being taken by ICE,” said Hosey.
Pretti was killed Saturday morning in Minneapolis–less than three weeks after Renee Good was killed by ICE agents.
Nurse Helen Archer Duste was compelled to show up and speak out.
Archer Duste has been a nurse for 45 years.
MORE: What we know about Alex Pretti, ICU nurse killed by federal agent in Minneapolis shooting
“What this regime in articulating and doing with their illegal actions. We the people stand against it,” said Archer Duste.
Other nurses –also speaking out.
“We’re going to save this country. With your name, with Renee Good’s name, and with everyone else that ICE is suppressing and hurting. We’re going to be putting our country back together,” said one nurse.
Smith, an occupational therapist at the SF VA Hospital, opposes ice action.
“The real threat isn’t immigrants and people protesting in the streets. It’s armed and militarized immigration enforcement happening in our communities,” said Smith.
Demonstrators are calling for change.
“We’re calling for ICE to be abolished. They are just completely lawless at this point. They are not doing immigration enforcement. They are doing a campaign of terror,” said Hosey.
MORE: Minneapolis shooting live updates
Indivisible SF calling upon demonstrators to tell Congress to defund ICE and to call the rapid response hotline when they see federal agents.
Those at the vigil say they’re willing to do what it takes to protect their neighbors.
“It’s our power of love, community and grace that will change our country,” said Archer Duste.
On Monday afternoon, the union, National Nurses United, organized a vigil outside Kaiser. Flowers were laid next to a pair of shoes and a stethoscope.
On Monday afternoon, the union, National Nurses United, organized a vigil outside Kaiser. Flowers were laid next to a pair of shoes and a stethoscope.
Registered Nurse and activist Kim Brown said this vigil came together the day before.
“To know that someone could be brutally murdered for the simple act of caring for someone else, it hurts and it’s terrifying,” Brown said.
Brown said nurses are a different kind, their profession is built on caring for others.
“We don’t care who you are, where you’re from, your language, your orientation, none of that- when we see a situation where someone needs help- we help,” Brown said.
MORE: San Francisco leaders say city must be ready if federal agents deploy
Off the Alameda in San Jose, South Bay clergy held an interfaith prayer vigil on the steps of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Many called the deaths of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and people in ICE detention facilities, senseless.
We spoke with Reverend Steve Pingston with New Beginnings Community Church.
“It’s not just black people who are outraged by what’s happening in Minneapolis, it’s not just Jews, it’s not just Muslims, it’s not just Latino brothers and sisters who are outraged, we are all outraged and we’re all saying enough. Let’s love, lets respect, lets walk with humility and lets pursue justice,” Pinkston said.
Joanna Thurmann is part of a volunteer group called Gandhi Team. They promote nonviolent intervention.
“As a strategy, non-violence is actually so much more successful then violent movements,” Thurmann said.
Thurmann wears this vest as a peace ambassador at various protests. She also helps train faith leaders and community members about de-escalation.
“In a scene of a lot of protesters your emotions are activated, and so it’s very difficult to be the calm person that you might be in other situations,” Thurmann said.
The organization who hosted this vigil, PACT will hold a de-escalation class with Thurmann at the end of February.
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