More than 200 people gathered outside the US diplomatic mission in Edinburgh on Monday evening in solidarity with protests across the United States following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.
A protest took place in front of the 3 Regent Terrace in the Scottish capital yesterday, following the death of nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal officers in Minnesota on Saturday the 24th of January.
The event was organised by Stand Up to Racism, a national campaign to combat racism and the far right.
Mr Pretti, 37, was the second person to be shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis in three weeks, following the shooting of Renée Good on the 7th of January. He is the third person to be shot by border patrol agents in the city this month.
Who was Alex Pretti?
Mr Pretti worked as an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, where he cared for critically ill veterans. He had been protesting the death of Renee Good and ongoing ICE presence in his city.
The shooting occurred at 09:05 local time at the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighbourhood, less than two miles from his home.
Video footage verified by Reuters, the BBC, The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press appears to show Mr Pretti filming law enforcement agents with his phone before being pepper sprayed. An agent can be seen removing a gun from Mr Pretti approximately one second before another agent fires. Ten shots were fired in less than five seconds, according to forensic audio analysis.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Mr Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a Minnesota state permit to carry and had no criminal record.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said Mr Pretti was “brandishing” a weapon, but video evidence and eyewitnesses have contradicted this.
In a statement, his family said they were “heartbroken but also very angry” at the “sickening lies” told about him by the Trump administration.
Scottish solidarity
Pete Gavine, an organiser with Stand Up to Racism, said: “When we see governments, especially governments that we’re allied to, taking aim at civilians, it means we’re entering a new phase of tyranny.
“It means that we’re entering an authoritarian state, and it’s important that every single person that wishes to have their liberty [continue to] stand against that.”
Photo by Masha Voyles
‘It’s just not safe’
Meghan Joyce, originally from Minneapolis, said her family lives close to where the shooting occurred.
Witnessing the resistance and protests against ICE in Minneapolis has made her “incredibly proud to be Minnesotan”, she said.
“There’s part of me that has that American pride that makes me want to go back and stand right next to them,” she said. But she added: “It’s just not safe.”
Sydney Nelson, a business management student also from Minneapolis, said: “It’s really breaking my heart what’s happening, even from all the way across the pond.
“Knowing that my family is still there and my friends are still there, I feel powerless just watching from over here, so it was really important for me to go and show my support.”
When asked if she plans to return to the United States, she said: “I don’t feel safe going back.”
Concerns about UK politics
Ms Nelson said she was “terrified” of similar events happening in the UK.
“I thought I’d left that, and now it’s starting to happen here,” she said when asked about Reform UK and Nigel Farage.
Many protesters echoed concerns that a Reform majority could lead to similar events in the UK.
“Everything’s descending into fascism,” said Dawn Thomson, another protestor at the scene. “When America sneezes, Britain catches a cold”.
Photo by Masha Voyles
Protests across US and UK
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Minneapolis in freezing temperatures to protest Mr Pretti’s death, with many businesses closing in solidarity.
Protests have also taken place across the US, including in New York City, San Francisco, and Boston.
The American Nurses Association said it was “deeply disturbed and saddened” by the killing and called for a “full, unencumbered investigation”. The federal employees’ labour union AFGE said Mr Pretti “dedicated his life to serving American veterans”.
In the UK, demonstrations have been held in London and Glasgow, with a walkout taking place at the University of Edinburgh yesterday morning.
This isn’t the only demonstration planned in Scotland’s capital: Democrats Abroad in Scotland will host a vigil for Alex Pretti and Renée Good this evening.
