A federal immigration officer shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
Southern Californian protesters joined others nationwide on Saturday Jan. 24, to express shock, sorrow and outrage after a man was shot and killed earlier that day during an altercation with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.
About 70 people gathered around 5 p.m. at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights to protest Alex Pretti’s death, which was recorded on video and shared on social media.
Protesters waved signs with slogans like “Justice for all those murdered by ICE, “ICE out of LA. ICE out of Boyle Heights,” “Justice for Alex,” and “Legalization for All.” A shrine to Petti on Mariachi Plaza included flowers, crosses and candles.
Dozens of cars honked in response to the protesters with passengers leaning out the windows to join in the chanting.
Speakers at the Boyle Heights demonstration encouraged those gathered to organize and fight for immigrant rights.
