The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible.

Speaker 1:

Alex Pretti was murdered while showing his humanity in the most clear way, helping another human. We ask for justice now. We demand eyes out of our communities. We demand investment in our future and not our capture. We demand that no money is invested in a machine that clearly threat to public justice and will murder with impunity.

Speaker 2:

Alex, he came to the rescue. I saw the video like 50 times like everybody else. A woman was being pushed down by a large man who was armed and he went to her rescue. He was beaten, he was sprayed, he was put to the ground and he was shot 10 times. And Alex’s boss is in that building right over there. And what did he do? He sends out a freaking tweet or whatever the hell it was. It was a political tweet saying, we acknowledge he worked for us. Shame. Yes, shame. What did Secretary Collins convey to over 450,000 VA employees? He doesn’t give a shit about any of ’em. I would say that Alex is a hero. He will be remembered as a hero, and we should all be very proud that he was a VA employee, that he was a federal employee. Thank you. We

Speaker 3:

Don’t want to stand idly by as our families are torn apart and our comrades are murdered, especially when our own institutions are profiting from this injustice. And as we mourn and grieve the tragic loss of our organizers, family members and loved ones like Alex Preti, Brene Goods, Keith Porter, and many more led our togetherness and love, continue giving our people and this movement for hope to continue forward. Thank

Speaker 4:

You. I have to say it. As a black person, I have been traumatized my entire life from police violence, seeing my friends, my family, going to prisons, being in jail, being shot by the police, being pulled over, including myself. This is horrific. This is an execution, but this does happen to black and brown folks every day in this country. So we got to keep that in mind when we’re building towards something new.

Speaker 5:

It is unacceptable that a human being can be shot down while helping another human being. We are here to be of service to one another. And if you think that is wrong, then you are in the wrong place. I wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t expecting to speak, but at some point you have to stand up and say enough. This is not who we’re enough. Enough. Enough. Enough. Enough. Enough enough.

Speaker 6:

My name is John Kerry. I’m a ICU nurse at Washington Hospital Center here in Washington dc We are right outside of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Just at the end of the candlelight vigil for Alex Preti. We all came out here today to honor his sacrifice in Minneapolis over the weekend. Alex is of course shot dead by ice. I’m a 3-year-old ICU nurse. Alex is 37 or West 37, I believe in many ways I could be Alex Preti, except I’ve never done something that brave. What Alex did is a call to all of us to help people in our community to come to aid of people in our community, to organize and make sure that we stop fascism from spreading all across the United States right now. If he can give his life for someone else, I can come together with the nurses in my union, the nurses across the country to help protect others in our hospital, in our neighborhoods, and all over the city.

Speaker 7:

Abbi, I’m a federal worker, speaking in my personal capacity, came out here today after work, first to mourn the loss of his life, but also more importantly, to honor his life. Alex, by all accounts, lost his life defending a woman in his community. This is a man who understood that all life needs to be defended at all costs. His death shouldn’t have happened. And so here tonight, we call for justice, for accountability, and for an end to the violence that is issu perpetrating on our communities.

Speaker 8:

I’m actually in school currently to become a nurse, and I’ve been protesting for years for Black Lives Matter, any type of situations that’s going on in society. But this is especially important to me because my family, I’m half Mexican and I’m half Jamaican south members who are immigrants. And this sending up to ice means a lot to me. In fact, I saw an innocent man be killed. It really hurt me. It makes me really sad. I hate to see the state that our country is in right now. What I’ve been seeing lately on the news, it’s just incredibly heartbreaking. And again, as a black and Hispanic person, the fact that I’m seeing innocent black people, innocent white people dying now I’m just like, what does that mean for me? It was already scary enough to live in this country. I already felt afraid for my life. And now knowing that just innocent, regular American, everyday Americans are now dying as well. It’s just I already felt the fear. It’s already there for me, but now I’m just like, wow, I really don’t have hope now. So I’m really here just to show face and to show that what I’m supporting and to stand up for the right thing.

Speaker 9:

I’m Susan Brooksmith and I’m here in front of the VA department for a vigil for Alex Pretty because of this horrible weekend and what’s going on in Minneapolis, I’ve been in awe of the people in Minneapolis and just incredible both Renee and Alex trying to help their community. And I want to help my community too.

Speaker 10:

He was the third person, the fourth person in 25 days to be murdered by ice, not including the people who have died in ice custody. This is not where we need to be. This is, I shouldn’t have to be outstanding in the coal in front of the Veterans Administration because of ice murdering people in the United States. And I am here because as you hear, I have an accent. I had been in this country for 35 years without ever fearing for my safety from the government. Once he got into office, and especially now that he came in a second term, I don’t feel safe in this country. For the first time now, I am fearing for my life. Now I’m fearing for myself. Now I’m anxious every day actually. Probably on the hour, on the minute for the first time.

Speaker 11:

And can I ask what it’s been like for you and your colleagues to process all of this over the past week? And could you say a little more about what it means to be part of this union that is now formally and forcefully calling for the abolition of ice?

Speaker 6:

I mean, it’s been really sad. We’re used as nurses to helping people. It’s hard for us to picture ourselves as the person who is the victim of something traumatic like that. We are the people who are helping people in these instances. So for all of us, it’s been really sad and it’s been eyeopening. We help people every day in the hospital. But for Alex to leave work and then still find the time, the commitment to go out and help others in this community, especially during this time with ICE roaming around kidnapping people off the streets, it’s a reminder that there’s so much more we as nurses can do. And so as being a part of the union, a part of National Nurses United every day, we work together to help patients, but we also need to be talking about how we can help people in our community and how we can come together and protect those who are undocumented people of color.

People at risk of being kidnapped by ice, being killed by ice. National Nurses United is calling for the abolition of ice, and that means that we will be hitting the streets, joining protests, joining vigils like this to make sure they know that ICE knows that the government knows that Democrats and Republicans and Congress know that nurses all over the country are fed up with this police action. The police state that is being instituted across the nation, tired of the racism that we’re seeing in our streets as ice picks up rain appeal of color, no matter who they are or what they’ve done, we as a call to action for us to organize and refer our commitment to our patients at the hospital and the communities we serve. The only way you can truly honor Alex’s sacrifice is by working together to build something that is worth his life. That is what we are focused on doing as a National Nurses United. That is what everyone here who came tonight is focused on doing. We were hoping that you at home join us and work with us to make Alex’s sacrifice worth it. Thanks.

The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible.

Maximillian Alvarez:

Alright, well welcome everyone to this on the Ground edition of Working People, a podcast about the lives, jobs, dreams, and struggles of the working class today. Working People is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and is brought to you in partnership within these Times Magazine and the Real News Network. The show is produced by Jules Taylor and made possible by the support of listeners like you. It is Wednesday, January 28th and I am here in Washington DC outside the Veterans Affairs Central Office Building, where right now union nurses and hundreds of DC residents are holding a vigil for Alex Preti and all those who have been killed by ice. This vigil is one of many events this week organized or co-sponsored by National Nurses United, the nation’s largest Union and Professional Association of Registered Nurses. And as we speak, the union is engaged in a week of actions nationwide to honor fellow registered nurse Alex Preti and all others who have been killed by ice.

As the union stated ahead of this week of action on their website, it’s happened Federal immigration agents have murdered one of our own ICU registered nurse Alex Preddy, who saved veterans’ lives at the Minneapolis va. Preddy upheld his oath to advocate for and protect his patients and community to the very end as a peaceful public legal observer of ice atrocities. Join National Nurses, United RN members in a week long series of actions to honor preddy and all who have been murdered by ice, as well as demand that Congress vote to immediately abolish this violent, racist and lawless agency that poses a dire public health threat to all of our communities. Freddy’s death will not be in vain ice messed with the wrong profession. We nurses will fight to abolish ice and bring about a vision for a healthy society based on nurses’ values of caring, compassion and community. I’m here on the ground for working people in the Real News Network to speak with folks and to take you into the thick of the action.

Speaker 2:

So my name is John Carey. I’m a ICU nurse at Washington Hospital Center. I’m here in Washington DC We are right outside of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Just at the end of the candlelight vigil for Alex Prety. We all came out here today to honor his sacrifice in Minneapolis over the weekend. Alex is of course shot dead by ice. I’m a 32-year-old ICU nurse. Alex is 37 or was 37 I believe in many ways I could be Alex pretty except I’ve never done something that brave. What Alex did is a call to all of us to help people in our community to come to aid of people in our community, to organize and make sure that we stop fascism from spreading all across the United States right now. If he can give his life or someone else, I can come together with the nurses in my union, the nurses across the country to help protect others in our hospital, in our neighborhoods and all over the city.

Maximillian Alvarez:

And can I ask what it’s been like for you and your colleagues to process all of this over the past week and could you say a little more about what it means to be part of this union that is now formally and forcefully calling for the abolition of ice?

Speaker 2:

I mean it’s really sad. We’re used as nurses to helping people. It’s hard for us to picture ourselves as the person who is the victim of something traumatic like that. We are the people who are helping people in these instances. So for all of us it’s been really sad and it’s been eyeopening. We help people every day in the hospital, but for Alex to leave work and then still find the time, the commitment to go out and help others in this community, especially during this time with ICE roaming around kidnapping people off the streets, it’s a reminder that there’s so much more we as nurses can do.

And so as being a part of the union, a part of National Nurses United, it’s important for us and it’s kind of been a good call to action for us to continue our work of organizing our hospital every day. We work together to help patients, but we also need to be talking about how we can help people in our community and how we can come together and protect those who are undocumented people of color, people at risk of being kidnapped by ice, being killed by ice. And so right now National Nurses United is calling for the abolition of ice and that means that we will be hitting the streets, joining protests, joining vigils like this to make sure they know that ICE knows that the government knows that Democrats and Republicans in Congress know that nurses all over the country are fed up with this police action.

The police state that is being instituted across the nation, tired of the racism that we’re seeing in our streets as ice picks up rain appeal of color no matter who they are or what they’ve done, it is a call to action for us to organize and reaffirm our commitment to our patients in the hospital and the communities we serve. We all should be pissed, we all should be angry and we should be sad, but we should let that anger, that pissed off feeling fuel us, get us out in the streets, get us out of our comfort zone, get us out talking with each other, organizing none of this stops by actions in a vacuum actions alone. The only way you can truly honor Alex’s sacrifice is by working together to build something that is worth his life. And so that is what we are focused on doing at as a National Nurses United. That is what everyone here who came tonight is focused on doing. We were hoping that you at home join us and work with us to make Alex’s sacrifice worth it. And I think that’s just how we go forward from here. Thank you so much.

Speaker 3:

I am Abvi. I’m a federal worker speaking in my personal capacity. We just grabbed the vigil for Alex. Freddy came out here today after work, first to mourn the loss of his life, but also more importantly to honor his life. Alex, by all accounts, lost his life defending a woman in his community and his death shouldn’t have happened. And so here tonight we call for justice, for accountability and for an end to the violence that ISIS been perpetrating on our communities. I’d like to add that I also came here with my friends from my local church. We came out also because we believe that all life is precious and Alex is especially and this is a man who understood that all life needs to be defended at all costs.

Speaker 4:

Hi, my name is Mia. I’m actually originally from upstate New York. I’ve been living in BC for about five years now. I’m actually in school currently to become a nurse and I’ve been protesting for years for Black Lives Matter, any type of situation that’s going on in society. But this is especially important to me because my family, I’m half Mexican and I’m half Jamaican south members who are immigrants and this sending up to ice means a lot to me. The fact that I saw an innocent man be killed and were being lied about it, it really hurt me. It makes me really sad. I hate to see the state that our country is in right now. What I’ve been seeing lately on the news, it’s just incredibly heartbreaking. And again, as a black and Hispanic person, the fact that I’m seeing innocent white people dying now, I’m just like, what does that mean for me? It was already scary enough to live in this country. I already felt afraid for my life and now knowing that just innocent regular Americans, everyday Americans are now dying as well. Just I already felt the fear. It’s already there for me, but now I’m just like, wow, I really don’t have hope now. So I’m really here just to show face and to show that what I’m supporting and to stand up for the right thing.

Maximillian Alvarez:

I’ve heard from a lot of your fellow healthcare workers that when they saw the video of Alex, they recognize an instinctive response that all nurses feel and identify with. Did you feel that way watching it?

Speaker 4:

Definitely, definitely. I mean, you literally get into this work because you want to help people. It’s literally was all about and seeing the lack of empathy, that’s literally what nurses do. We literally, we literally put our whole world to this. We literally have to be as empathetic as possible to anyone’s situation. We literally have to care about everyone no matter where they come from, no matter what of life they’re from, it does not matter. We are here to care about people and that’s literally what he was doing even in his final end. He literally was taking care of a woman, making sure she was okay when he lost his life. So yeah, definitely. That definitely hit home for me. Definitely, definitely, definitely hit me.

Speaker 6:

Hi, I’m Susan Brooksmith and I’m here in front of the VA department for a vigil for Alex Pretty because of this horrible weekend and what’s going on in Minneapolis, I’ve been in awe of the people in Minneapolis and just incredible both Renee and Alex trying to help their community and I want to help my community too.

Speaker 7:

My name is Nadine Seiler. We are standing in front of the Veterans Administration building here in Washington DC and we are here because Alex pretty was murdered by ICE agents in Minnesota on January 24th, 2026. He was the third person, the fourth person in 25 days to be murdered by ice, not including the people who have died in ice custody. This is not where we need to be. This is, I shouldn’t have to be outstanding in the coal in front of the Veterans Administration because of ice murdering people in the United States.

Maximillian Alvarez:

And did you have any other messages that you wanted to share with folks about why it’s important to stand up to this or what they can do to stand up?

Speaker 7:

Well, the Department of Homeland Security was supposedly created to protect the people of the United States. After 9 11, 1 of the architects, unfortunately, I don’t remember his name, but one of the architects who helped build the Department of Homeland Security, he said that he would detonate the version of Department of Homeland Security right now and keep a version that helps the people United States. But this is working against the people of United States. It is dangerous to the people of United States. So if an architect of the Department of Homeland Security is saying that I think we need to listen and I am here because as you hear, I have an accent. I have been in this country going on 39 years. I came on a plane legal, but I overstayed and I became illegal and I was illegal for how many years until I got myself straightened out. I had been in this country for 35 years without ever fearing for my safety from the government. Once he got into office, and especially now that he came in a second term, I don’t feel safe in this country for the first time in 30 something years that I as somebody who was undocumented for many years, walked around America, traveled through America, just went about, made a life for myself, never feared for my safety from the government. Now I am legal for 30 something years now. I am fearing for my life. Now I’m fearing for myself. Now I’m anxious every day actually. Probably on the hour, on the minute for the first time.

Maximillian Alvarez:

Alright gang, that’s going to wrap things up for us today. I want to thank everyone who spoke with me on this frigid, snowy evening in Washington DC and of course I want to thank you all for listening and I want to thank you for caring. We’ll see you all back here next week for another episode of Working People. And if you can’t wait that long, then please go explore all the great work that we’re doing at The Real News Network where we do grassroots journalism that lifts up the voices and stories from the front lines of struggle. Sign up for the Real News newsletter so you never miss a story and help us do more work like this by going to the real news.com/donate and becoming a supporter today. I promise you guys, it really makes a difference. This is Max Million Alvarez signing off from Washington dc. Take care of yourselves. Take care of each other. Solidarity forever.