Minneapolis, MN

Detroit vigil honors Minneapolis nurse killed during immigration protest

Published

4 weeks ago

February 2, 2026

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.

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.”

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

@GeorgeHunter_DN

Source link

Click to comment

Minneapolis, MN

Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis

Published

4 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis

WHITEFISH, Mont. — The Whitefish City Council in February presented and signed a proclamation expressing solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis.

The proclamation states that Whitefish mourns the loss of life that occurred in Minneapolis and stands in solidarity with its residents.

It reaffirms the city’s commitment to equal treatment under the law and emphasizes that peaceful protest is a fundamental American right.

The proclamation was supported by five of the six council members.

Mayor John Muhlfeld said the action was meant to reaffirm the city’s values.

“A mayoral proclamation that is supported by five of six City Council members supporting solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and reaffirming our supportive, just, equal and welcoming community,” Muhlfeld said. “I think this is somewhat overdue. Our town’s been through a lot over the years, This is more importantly to reaffirm our values as a council with our community because we care deeply about you.”

Over the last year, Whitefish has faced criticism amid rising tensions surrounding the Department of Homeland Security.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

View the full proclamation below.

Source link

Minneapolis, MN

City officials report less speeding at corners with traffic cameras in Minneapolis

Published

16 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

City officials report less speeding at corners with traffic cameras in Minneapolis

By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR’s or APMG entities’ programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.

Source link

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis man sentenced to nearly 30 years for murder of Deshaun Hill

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Minneapolis man sentenced to nearly 30 years for murder of Deshaun Hill

WCCO Staff

March 2, 2026 / 4:26 PM CST
/ CBS Minnesota

A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.

It was the second time Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced for fatally shooting 15-year-old Deshaun Hill. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 38 years in prison in February 2023, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals later reversed the conviction and granted him a retrial based on illegally obtained incriminating statements.

Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday’s 340-month sentence. The judge presiding over the hearing gave him credit for 1,476 days already served.

Fohrenkam shot and killed Hill while Hill was walking to a bus stop just blocks from Minneapolis North High School, where Hill was a star quarterback and honor roll student.

One of Hill’s aunts said in a statement shortly before the judge sentenced Fohrenkam that her nephew was “full of life.”

“When he spoke, you listened. He had a soft spirit and a good heart,” she said. “Deshaun was an artist who, as you all know, he took his education seriously. He had dreams and goals. He worked hard to make his family proud.”

This story will be updated.

In:

Source link