Vigil held Monday night

Dear Editor,

On Monday night January 26 there were 110 people gathered at the Iowa County Courthouse in Dodgeville for a candlelight vigil honoring Alex Pretti. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse was shot and killed during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Alex was a US citizen, a respected community member, a well regarded and valued nurse at the hospital where he worked, a cherished friend and family member and loved the outdoors. 

Alex lived several blocks away and was legally observing and taking pictures during the immigration operation. 

Alex was helping a woman who had fallen when ICE agents intervened roughly treating Alex, spraying him with pepper spray, knocking him to the ground. Alex had a gun in his back belt which was confiscated. He never had the gun in his hand. He was pummeled and then shot shortly after. He never resisted the agents and maintained a defensive posture until his death. 

The people at the vigil were outraged at the brutality being exhibited by ICE/Border Patrol with this incident, the Renee Good’s recent murder by the hands of ICE, the unending accounts of others being abused and detained who are US citizens, and the inhumane deportation policies and treatment of immigrants. The vigil participants are calling out to NOT support the ICE funding bill and reining ICE in immediately. The organization is out of control, does not represent American values and is acting in an illegal manner. 

In spite of this distressing news there was a joyful atmosphere in front of the Courthouse during the vigil and a lot of love expressed in coming together to honor Alex Pretti whose last words were « are you okay? ». He was a good man. 

Submitted by Debi Morton 

Spring Green