Justice For Alex Pretti

Dear Neighbors,

As we enter yet another week under the occupation of hostile federal agents, I want to acknowledge the dread and grief we are all carrying with us right now. I am heartbroken, horrified and grieving alongside you.



I want to take a moment to remember our neighbor, Alex Jeffery Pretti, who was murdered by federal immigration agents on Saturday. Alex was a VA nurse, an ICU nurse, a union member, an outdoorsman, a dog dad, a loved and missed neighbor and coworker, and a Ward 8 neighbor. He was killed while looking out for and caring for his neighbors. His last recorded words were “Are you ok?” My thoughts, and our love as a Ward, are with his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed. 

Just three weeks ago Renee Nicole Good was murdered. She was also looking out for and caring for her neighbors. As a result of all of this violence and cruelty, we are all hurting, grieving and extremely angry, and those are all very valid feelings. We have been showing up every day, with our whistles in tow, doing everything we can to protect and defend each other. We are not the ones that are a threat to this city, ICE is. 

As the federal government keeps escalating tensions and violence, we need each other more than ever. I hope you will join me in keeping up observing, patrolling, organizing mutual aid, supporting immigrant businesses and calling on elected officials at all levels to take action to get ICE out of Minnesota.

As you might know, two weeks ago I co-sponsored a resolution calling on Gov. Walz to pass an immediate moratorium on evictions. Now, we are just a week away from February 1st, when so many of our neighbors who have been living in fear, because of ICE, could face eviction. No one should have to choose between having a roof over their head or risking being abducted by ICE. We need collective action and pressure to keep our neighbors safe. Governor Walz is the only person who has the authority to pass an eviction moratorium now so that residents can shelter in place. I urge you to call him, tag him, email him to demand an eviction moratorium.

Stopping evictions is a good first step, but it isn’t enough. I know that our communities are struggling right now, and that is why I am working to secure rental assistance funds from the City. While we fight to secure funding, the need is for millions of dollars, and will exceed what is possible within the City’s budget. So I want to ask you to call your state senators and representatives to tell them to allocate emergency rental assistance as well.

I am with you, neighbors. We will keep caring for each other and grieving together. I will be holding Ward 8 office hours this week:
-On Wednesday 1/28 from 5-7pm (location to be announced soon!)
-On Friday 1/30 from 11am-1pm at Bichota Coffee, 3740 Chicago Ave
Join my team and I for any questions you may have or to share what you would like to see from my office. Please do not hesitate to reach out via email or phone call as well.

Thank you and solidarity,
Soren Stevenson