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Reposted by randy r. potts

Anders

@derzquist.net

One of the best organizers I know in the Twin Cities has a great line, "We can't always take away the hurt, but we can take away the alone."

January 25, 2026 at 4:49 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Sean T. Collins

@seantcollins.com

"I am a children's entertainer who specializes in face painting," writes a woman now in hiding from the federal government for witnessing a state-sanctioned street execution

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 12h

You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.

January 25, 2026 at 2:03 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Kriszta Satori

@fulelo.bsky.social

Alex Pretti's parents to US news outlets:
"We are heartbroken but also very angry... The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting."

January 25, 2026 at 8:11 AM

randy r. potts

@thephatic.bsky.social

also, if you want to support those who survive ICE encounters but can't afford legal defense, here are 3 orgs you can look up and send money to:
ACLU Minnesota
National Lawyers Guild Minnesota
Monarca Minnesota

Adam Parkhomenko @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social · 7h

If you’re able, please support this verified GoFundMe for Alex Pretti’s family. And if you’re not in a position to donate, sharing it far and wide matters just as much. It’s at $300K and counting.

Donate to Alex Pretti is an American Hero, organized by Keith Edwards

On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and American citizen wa… Keith Edwards needs your support for Alex Pretti is an American Hero

www.gofundme.com

January 25, 2026 at 9:23 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

mtsw

@mtsw.bsky.social

Call the piece of legislation that ultimately abolishes ICE the Pretti-Good Act

January 25, 2026 at 7:06 AM

randy r. potts

@thephatic.bsky.social

every day, new horrors to contemplate

Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 13h

Reminder: If the Supreme Court upholds Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship, some of the ICE officers currently brutalizing Minnesotans may be reassigned to apprehend newborns from the hospital for immediate deportation. Just read the Trump administration’s own memo. slate.com/news-and-pol...

To that end, USCIS declared flatly that the children of immigrants who are "unlawfully present" will "no longer be U.S. citizens at birth."
They will, instead, inherit the status of their parents, rendering them detainable and deportable as infants and throughout their lives.
There is no indication that the government will provide some grace period before snatching up and imprisoning this new underclass of noncitizen babies; they are apparently subject to arrest from the moment of birth.

January 25, 2026 at 9:05 AM

randy r. potts

@thephatic.bsky.social

this is happening across Europe; the editors in charge of most big pubs have spent their life defaulting to US govt narratives and seem unable/unwilling to change that

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 14h

The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.

It leads on "sharply contested narratives"

It has a dramatic skew to the US government

It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue

January 25, 2026 at 9:02 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Royce Kurmelovs

@roycerk2.bsky.social

The beauty of this is that Guttenfelder is covering these men the way they have always wanted: dripping in tacticool gear, in action, looking down their sites at an enemy which surrounds them. In doing so, he reveals who they are. They imagine themselves heroes; he shows they are villains.

Nathan @never-say-die.bsky.social · 8h

Dave Guttenfelder is an amazing photojournalist who‘s most recently primarily focused on conflict photojournalism in Syria and Ukraine.

Hes recently turned his talents to Minneapolis.

January 25, 2026 at 7:07 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Tom Schmidt, MD, MHS

@tomschmidt30.bsky.social

After hearing today’s news & knowing Alex Pretti - dry January is over.

In my ICU rotations at Minneapolis VA, nights in residency, & days as a fellow in infectious diseases, I worked alongside Alex.

Surely our nurses unions can help make some good trouble for a fallen hero?

#Neat
#NoICE
#MedSky

A glass of lagavulin scotch in honor of a great nurse and human!

January 25, 2026 at 1:47 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Margaret Killjoy

@margaret.bsky.social

You know me I don't share fundraisers unless I can tell you I trust them with my whole heart and my own wallet. This one gets protective gear to legal observers in Minneapolis / Saint Paul

www.gofundme.com/f/help-equip...

Donate to Help Equip Twin Cities Legal Observers with PPE, organized by Jac Kovarik

I have been involved in rapid response in the Twin Cities area since the b… Jac Kovarik needs your support for Help Equip Twin Cities Legal Observers with PPE

www.gofundme.com

January 24, 2026 at 6:26 PM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social

You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.

1. I am a resident of the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am over 18 years of age. I am a children's entertainer who specializes in face painting.
2. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at about 8:50 am, I was getting ready to go to work when I heard whistles outside. I knew the whistles meant that ICE agents were in the area, so I decided to check it out on my way to work. I've been involved in observing in my community because it is so important to document what ICE is doing to my neighbors. Connecting to your local community and knowing who your neighbors are is something I profoundly value.
3. I drove to Nicollet Ave. and 26th where I could hear the whistles coming from. I turned south onto Nicollet. There were already several ICE agents there and they'd set up a sort of vehicle convoy on Nicollet and 28th. There were also about 15 observers there, recording and observing ICE.
4. I saw ICE agents surrounding cars and punching car windows. I also saw them stopping vehicles further down Nicollet, so I backed up because I didn't feel safe continuing on.
5. I noticed a man sort of acting to help traffic move more smoothly. He helped me find a place to park. I got out with my whistle and my camera. I went over to him and said something like, "I'm going to film and use my whistle."
6. It seemed like most ICE activity was happening a little farther down the street from us, near 27th. Someone was being thrown to the ground.

7. I started recording. There was an agent by a car across the street. Two observers were a few feet away from the agent, blowing their whistles. One was wearing a backpack.
8. I and the man who was observing and helping direct traffic were standing in the street. There was a phone in the man's hand recording a video.
9. An agent approached and asked us to back up, so I moved slowly back onto the sidewalk.
10. The man stayed in the street, filming as the other observers I mentioned earlier were being forced backward by another ICE agent threatening them with pepper spray. The man went closer to support them as they got threatened, just with his camera out. I didn't see him reach for or hold a gun.
11. Then the ICE agent shoved one of the other observers to the ground. Then he started pepper spraying all three of them directly in the face and all over. The man with the phone put his hands above his head and the agent sprayed him again and pushed him.
12. Then the man tried to help up the woman the ICE agent had shoved to the ground. The ICE agents just kept spraying. More agents came over and grabbed the man who was still trying to help the woman get up. All three of the observers looked to have been badly affected by the pepper spray. I could feel the pepper spray in my eyes.

13. The agents pulled the man on the ground. I didn't see him touch any of them-he wasn't even turned toward them. It didn't look like he was trying to resist, just trying to help the woman up. I didn't see him with a gun. They threw him to the ground. Four or five agents had him on the ground and they just started shooting him. They shot him so many times.
14.1 don't know why they shot him. He was only helping. I was five feet from him and they just shot him.
15. The video I recorded of what happened accurately depicts the events leading up to the agents shooting him and several minutes afterwards. The video is attached as Exhibit 1.
16. I have read the statement from DHS about what happened and it is wrong. The man did not approach the agents with a gun. He approached them with a camera. He was just trying to help a woman get up and they took him to the ground.
17. I feel afraid. Only hours have passed since they shot a man right in front me and I don't feel like I can go home because I heard agents were looking for me. I don't know what the agents will do when they find me. I do know that they're not telling the truth about what happened. I've heard that other witnesses might have been arrested and taken to the Whipple Building.
18. I am disgusted and gutted at how they are treating my neighbors and my state. I keep alternating between crying and feeling determined it is important to remember the value of documenting injustice. We show up for the people who need us to bear

witness, because it can't just be one group of people bearing the brunt of their tyranny. This is a struggle to protect our freedom and democracy, those things are on the line. He lost his life for those values.
I declare under penalty of perjury that everything I have stated in this document is true and correct.

Dated and signed on Jan 24, 2026 in Hennepin County, State of Minnesota.

January 25, 2026 at 1:15 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Will Stancil

@whstancil.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/rvar...

Rick Varco @rvarco.bsky.social · 11h

West St. Paul.

January 25, 2026 at 1:54 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Aaron Stewart-Ahn

@badideas.bsky.social

A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.

January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Will Stancil

@whstancil.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/jack...

Jack Hittinger @jackhitts.bsky.social · 12h

People showed up for a vigil for Rene and Alex tonight in downtown Shakopee.

January 25, 2026 at 1:55 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

BREAKING: A young doctor who lives near where Alex Pretti, a nurse, was killed by ICE says in a declaration he saw the shooting, went out to help, was not let through at first then patted down before being let by, and was apparently the first to try and provide any medical assistance to Pretti.

1. 1 am a 29-year-old resident of the
lin Minneapolis,
Minnesota. I have lived in Minneapolis since 2024, when I moved to the
city to begin my medical residency. I am a licensed pediatrician, and I have
been practicing pediatric medicine in the city since I moved here.
2. On January 24, 2026, at approximately 9:00 am CST, I was awoken by the sound of cars honking and whistles blowing. Shortly after I awoke, I heard
screaming from outside my window. I
saw several
ICE agents and civilians yelling at each other.
3. One civilian was standing in front of a parked car on the side of the road.
I saw him yelling at the ICE agents, but I did not see him attack the agents
or brandish a weapon of any kind
4. Suddenly, an ICE agent shoved him to the ground. My view of the altercation was partially obstructed, but after a few seconds, I saw at least
four ICE agents point guns at the man. I then saw the agents shoot the man
at least six or seven times.
5. Initially, I was stunned. From what I could see from my apartment, there was absolutely no need for any violence, let alone lethal force by multiple officers. I immediately put on my boots and coat, ran outside, and
approached ICE agents who were near the victim.

6. The scene was chaotic. Many civilians were screaming and honking. Over the noise, I informed the ICE agents that I am a physician, and I asked to assess the victim.
7. At first, the ICE agents wouldn't let me through. They repeatedly asked me for my physician's license, which I obviously didn't have. But none of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR, and I could tell that the victim was in critical condition. I insisted that the agents let me
assess him. Normally, I would not have been so persistent, but as a physician, I felt a professional and moral obligation to help this man, especially since none of the agents were helping him.
8. Finally, one agent agreed to let me assess the victim. He patted me down
to "make sure I didn't have a weapon" and then let me approach the victim.
9. As I approached, I saw that the victim was lying on his side and was
surrounded by several ICE agents. I was confused as to why the victim was
on his side, because that is not standard practice when a victim has been
shot. Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice.
Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds.
10.1 asked the ICE agents if the victim had a pulse, and they said they did not know. I then asked the agents to make space so I could assess the victim.

11. The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back. I asked the ICE agents to turn the victim from his side to his back. From that position, I saw an additional gunshot wound on the victim's upper left chest and
another possible gunshot wound on his neck.
12. I checked for a pulse, but I did not feel one. I immediately began CPR.
Shortly after I started compressions, EMS personnel arrived and took over.
13.1 remained at the scene for about five more minutes, but protesters began to gather and the situation seemed to be escalating, so I left and returned
to my apartment.
14. When I returned to my apartment, I was extremely distraught. I was
sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. Eventually, I called my sister, who
lives in a nearby suburb. I called her for comfort and because I did not feel
safe in my apartment; I wanted to see if I could stay with her for the day
and maybe even a few days.
15.1 also sought advice from a friend who works for the City of Minneapolis.
He recommended that I shelter in place because the situation outside my
apartment was so dangerous. I was going to follow his advice, but then
ICE agents deployed tear gas on the crowd that had gathered below, and
the tear gas began seeping into my apartment.

January 25, 2026 at 1:57 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Will Stancil

@whstancil.bsky.social

I’ll share any picture anyone sends of these memorials

Namdor @smrodman.bsky.social · 11h

Everyone in the suburbs are putting them out on our porches. At least around us in Eagan

January 25, 2026 at 1:43 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Anonymous

@youranoncentral.bsky.social

Several streets in Minneapolis have been barricaded throughout the day by civilian community defenders to keep Trump's paramilitary ICE forces out of their neighbourhoods. #3E #GoodVsEvil

January 25, 2026 at 1:57 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Will Stancil

@whstancil.bsky.social

The orgs I'd give to:

ACLU MN

National Lawyers Guild MN

Monarca MN

They're providing legal assistance for protesters, observers, and immigrants.

drunkenlobster.bsky.social @drunkenlobster.bsky.social · 12h

I appreciate your on the ground reporting.

What can those of us far away do to help? Donations to Local orgs? Legal orgs?

January 25, 2026 at 1:29 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Scott Horton

@robertscotthorton.bsky.social

Here's Pam Bondi making an offer worthy of a mob boss: give us your voter rolls so we can shut down the midterm elections, and we'll call off the DHS invasion of Minnesota.

January 25, 2026 at 1:32 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Chatham Harrison dba TRUMP DELENDUS EST

@chathamharrison.bsky.social

photographer is Jeff Wheeler at the Star Tribune. guy with the flag is Curtis Evans, a Marine veteran.

man defiantly holding US flag while wearing protective gear, surrounded by tear gas & flares. the image is the same as above but wider to show more of the crowd plus a street sign.

January 25, 2026 at 12:18 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Douglas Farmer

@douglasfarmer.bsky.social

National Guard has fully arrived.
Franklin and Nicollet.

January 24, 2026 at 10:58 PM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Anthea Butler

@antheabutler.bsky.social

This picture reminds me of this picture Robert Cohen took during Ferguson after the killing of Michael Brown. the Man in the picture Edward Crawford, died in 2017

Picture of African American Man in an American Flag shirt throwing a tear gas canister at police.

January 25, 2026 at 12:52 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Jeff Rueter

@jeffrueter.bsky.social

Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.

"Please get the truth out about our son."

Statement from Michael and Susan Pretti
Parents of Alex Jeffrey Pretti

“We are heartbroken but also very angry.

Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact.

I do not throw around the ‘hero’ term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He had his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper sprayed.

Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.

January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Brian Stelter

@brianstelter.bsky.social

Powerful statement from the family of Alex Pretti, obtained by CNN:

"Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world..."

January 25, 2026 at 12:48 AM

Reposted by randy r. potts

Mueller, She Wrote

@muellershewrote.com

WALZ: "Minnesota's justice system will have the last word on this. The federal government cannot be trusted to handle this investigation. We will handle it."

January 24, 2026 at 7:36 PM

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