Connect with us

Minneapolis, MN

Detroit vigil honors Minneapolis nurse killed during immigration protest

Published

on

Detroit vigil honors Minneapolis nurse killed during immigration protest


Detroit — Members of the nation’s largest federal government employee union, elected officials, religious leaders and others held a vigil Sunday to honor an intensive care nurse who was killed by federal immigration agents during a Jan. 24 protest in Minneapolis.

About 50 people gathered for the vigil outside the John D. Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on John R. Similar events were held at VA hospitals across the country to honor Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old member of the American Federation of Government Employees union who worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In an incident that is the subject of a U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation, Pretti was shot multiple times by federal agents during a protest in Minneapolis against President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration deportation surge and the tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to witnesses and video of the incident, Pretti was recording the agents with his phone and directing traffic before intervening in a woman’s arrest. After he approached agents who were struggling with a woman they were taking into custody, Pretti was pepper-sprayed and tackled before an agent removed a handgun from his waistband. Someone yelled “Gun, gun” before at least two agents fired shots at Pretti, killing him.

Advertisement

Trump administration officials have accused Pretti, who had a concealed pistol license, of unlawfully interfering with an arrest, while critics of the shooting said Pretti was exercising his constitutional right to protest. Pretti was filmed during a Jan. 13 demonstration spitting at agents and kicking the taillight off a federal law enforcement vehicle. In that incident, federal agents tackled Pretti and scuffled with him, although he was not arrested.

Pretti’s death followed the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Rene Good, who was fatally shot after driving her vehicle toward an ICE agent. Good’s death is not being investigated by the Department of Justice.

Members of the AFGE union, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, and Pastor Charles Williams II of the National Action Network Michigan Chapter and the Historic King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit were among those who attended Sunday’s vigil.

“It’s very encouraging to see so many people felt a connection to Alex and wanted to honor him this way,” Tlaib said. “Alex’s parents have asked (people) to please stop spreading lies about (their) son. He liked helping people, and he did that until his last breath.”

Advertisement

ICE officials did not respond to an email seeking comment Sunday.

Pastor Maurice Rudds of Greater Mount Tabor Church told the gathering: “You are at the right place at the right time. I am grateful to be with people who are making things happen.

“We are going to win,” Rudds said. “It may take a lot of time, but we are on the right side of justice and we are going to win. I was taught as a boy to recite the Pledge of Allegiance … but this is not the America I love.”Christine Kozicki, a retired teacher from White Lake, said she doesn’t like the direction of the country.“I see fascism, coming,” said the retired teacher from White Lake Township. “My grandparents came to this country from Poland in 1905, and I’ve been to Poland and have seen the concentration camps. I hear that same drumbeat here in the United States right now.”Roachal Ford, member of the union Local 933, said ICE is taking money from other federal agencies.“ICE needs to be defunded,” Ford said. “They’re killing people.”Bryanaa Wilkiams, also a member of Local 933, added: “This is affecting my generation. America is no longer free.”The AFGE is the nation’s largest federal employee union, representing more than 820,000 workers.

ghunter@detroitnews.com

(313) 222-2134

Advertisement

@GeorgeHunter_DN



Source link

Minneapolis, MN

Eden Prairie crash leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

Published

on

Eden Prairie crash leaves 1 dead, 1 injured


A crash in Eden Prairie left one person dead and one injured Saturday night. 

Fatal crash in Eden Prairie

What we know:

Advertisement

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash that happened around 8:15 p.m.

The crash happened at Highway 212 and Prairie Center Drive, and left one person dead. Another person was taken to Hennepin Healthcare for injuries sustained in the crash. 

Advertisement

What we don’t know:

What led up to the crash is currently unknown. 

The severity of the injuries of the other driver is currently unknown. 

Advertisement

The Minnesota State Patrol is expected to release more information as they investigate. 

The Source: A press release from the Minnesota State Patrol. 

Advertisement
Road incidentsEden Prairie



Source link

Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis swim event works to reduce racial disparities in water safety

Published

on

Minneapolis swim event works to reduce racial disparities in water safety


Dozens of Black and Brown children filled the pool at V3 Sports Center in north Minneapolis this weekend for a free swim‑safety event focused on building confidence and expanding access to water‑safety skills. 

Jack and Jill of America’s Minneapolis chapter hosted its second annual JJ Swim safety event, drawing more than 80 kids — a 60% increase from last year, according to organizers. Children in grades kindergarten to seniors in high school attended. 

“I just got to go faster, faster, faster, faster,” said swimmer Jaden Walker as he pushed himself through the water. 

He later shared his personal benchmark for a full lap.

Advertisement

“One lap down and back would be 27 seconds for me,” Jaden said.

While some kids focused on speed, instructors emphasized the importance of basic safety and comfort in the water. 

A teen lifeguard working the event said many kids her age still lack essential swim skills.

“I think a lot of kids my age or younger don’t know how to swim, and it limits the exercise you can do and the fun you can have, especially over the summer,” said 15‑year‑old lifeguard Taylor Williams.

V3 staff guided students through several stations.

Advertisement

“They are learning basic things, breathing, floating, forward movement, and then we’re doing life jacket fitting over there, and we’re doing CPR,” said V3 Sports Aquatics Program Assistant Dejah Teetzle.

Organizers say the event is designed to make swimming accessible and welcoming for families who have historically had fewer opportunities to learn.

“It’s electrifying in here. The kids are having such a good time,” said Marisa Williams, with Jack and Jill.

She added that the turnout reflects the need for programs like this.

“It just makes us feel really good that we’re exposing Black and Brown children to the water in a way that they feel really good about.”

Advertisement

The CDC reports that Black people of all ages have some of the highest drowning rates in the country, and Black and Brown children are less likely to receive formal swim lessons. 

The agency also notes that Black children face a significantly higher risk of drowning in swimming pools compared to white children, a disparity tied to decades of limited access to pools, lessons and water‑safety resources.

For many families, the event was also about challenging the narrative.

“I feel like it’s very important that we’re breaking the stereotype and that we’re also bettering our community by doing events like this,” said swimmer Aneya Bliss.

Young swimmers left with big dreams sparked by their time in the water.

Advertisement

“I would love to be a lifeguard, and maybe even go to the Olympics someday,” Jaden said.

Teetzle said early exposure matters and that ages 1 to 3 are an important time to introduce children to water comfort and basic skills. The center also offers adult lessons for those learning later in life.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival: Showcasing global and local cinema

Published

on

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival: Showcasing global and local cinema


Movie lovers have plenty to celebrate as the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) brings global cinema and special events to the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival brings films, events and special guests to venues across the city

Advertisement

Timeline:

The festival is showcasing more than 230 films from around the world, along with parties, panels, and filmmaker conversations. Most events are happening at The Main Cinema in Minneapolis, with additional screenings at Edina Theatre, the Capri in North Minneapolis, and other local venues.

Dean Cundey, the acclaimed cinematographer behind Jurassic Park, Apollo 13, and the Halloween films, is this year’s special guest. He’ll join a conversation about his career at DeLaSalle High School at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, and take part in a Q&A after a special Jurassic Park screening at 6:30 p.m. the same day at The Main Cinema.

Advertisement

The festival’s closing night film, Prince & The New Power Generation: Live at Glam Slam, will be shown at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at The Main Cinema. The screening features newly discovered footage from a 1992 concert at Prince’s Minneapolis club, described as a “sweaty, sold-out, last-minute show that captures the sheer joy and sense of endless possibility that came to define this era.”

MSPIFF’s closing night party will follow at Riverplace Atrium at 43 SE Main Street in Minneapolis.

Advertisement

The world premiere of Wild West Bank Sound is set for 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at The Main Cinema. The film explores the West Bank neighborhood’s rich musical legacy, featuring rare archival footage and stories from artists who shaped the area’s sound.

The festival continues through Sunday, offering both local and international stories, and a chance for moviegoers to connect with filmmakers and each other.

Big picture view:

Advertisement

MSPIFF has grown into a major cultural event, drawing film fans and industry insiders from across Minnesota and beyond. With a mix of premieres, retrospectives, and community events, the festival highlights the Twin Cities’ role as a creative hub.

Why you should care:

Advertisement

The festival is a rare opportunity to see films that might not otherwise screen locally, meet filmmakers, and celebrate the region’s vibrant arts scene. Whether you’re a die-hard film buff or just looking for something new, MSPIFF’s lineup has something for everyone.

More information can be found on the festival’s website.

The Source: This story uses information shared by the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. 

Advertisement

EntertainmentMinneapolisThings To Do



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending