Labor Mobilizes in Solidarity with Minnesota and Honors VA ICU Nurse Alex Pretti

Nearly 5,000 people including union members and leaders gathered in Union Square on Jan. 23 to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal immigration agencies. The “ICE Out” rally coincided with a citywide general strike in Minneapolis and was organized in response to the killing of Renee Good, the detention of 5-year old Liam Conejo Ramos, and other actions by ICE.

Labor speakers at the event included NYC CLC President Brendan Griffith, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Vice President Nadine Williams, and striking nurses from NYSNA, and more than 20 local unions were among the 70+ groups signed on as endorsers. After the speeches, the crowd marched through the city up to 5th Avenue and 26th street, passing the headquarters of corporations like Amazon, Home Depot, and Palantir along the route.

"Today we march not just with our New York union sisters and brothers, but alongside community organizations, advocates, and neighbors across this city, and in solidarity with our Labor siblings in Minneapolis and across Minnesota," said CLC President Griffith. "This is about more than ICE. It’s about what kind of country we’re building. It’s about whether immigrant workers and their families can move through their lives with dignity. It’s about whether workers of every background have the right to organize, to protest, and to be safe." Read more from the Chief Leader.

That solidarity continued last night outside the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System on 23rd Street, where up to 2000 gathered for a candlelight vigil honoring Alex Pretti, the VA ICU nurse from Minneapolis who was killed by Border Patrol agents last weekend. The CLC was again in attendance alongside more than two dozen unions, including Alex’s own union, AFGE (represented by Local 3911). Attendees held candles, LEDs and phone lights during a moment of silence for Alex and others killed so far in the ongoing immigration crackdown. A statement from Alex's parents was read, and speakers reflected on his life and work caring for veterans, and called for justice for all victims of ICE and Border Patrol. Read more in the Daily News.