The planned “Havdalah of Hope” at Temple Israel tonight is being moved to Zoom only after a 37-year-old man was shot and killed by Federal agents at Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street in Minneapolis Saturday morning.
The switch to Zoom is being made “out of an abundance of caution,” according to an email from Temple Israel Senior Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman.
“This morning, another shooting involving federal officers shook our city. Even as we await more information, we cannot look away from what is unfolding around us. This violence must come to an end,” Zimmerman wrote. “In the face of grief and fear, we do what our tradition has always taught us to do: we draw strength from community; we care for one another; we engage in the endless work of tikkun olam, repairing the world.”
The event had been planned as a culmination to a weekend of activism in the community which has been pushing for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal officers to leave the community.
On Friday, Temple Israel opened its doors for an interfaith service featuring clergy from around the country who came to support the Minnesota community.
“Six hundred people gathered at Temple and more than 1,100 online for an interfaith service of courage, compassion, and community,” Zimmerman wrote. “Across generations and traditions, we gathered with neighbors, clergy, and elected officials who chose to show up in solidarity and love. We were reminded that even during these uncertain and troubling times, we are not alone.
Later in the afternoon, tens of thousands of people marched in sub-zero weather from The Commons in Minneapolis to Target Center to protest ICE’s presence in the state. The Department of Homeland Security has sent 3,000 agents to Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge.
The man who was killed on Saturday morning was identified by media outlets as Alex Pretti, a registered nurse and, as confirmed by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, a licensed gun owner. Various angles of the shooting available online appear to show that Pretti did not reach for his weapon while he was talking to officers or when he was on the ground being hit by officers.
Pretti was the second person to have been killed by ICE agents since they arrived in the state. On Jan. 7, Renee Good was shot several times by an officer as she was driving away from a conversation she was having with another agent.
Thank you for sharing this.
Ahava from Temple Beth Israel of Pomona ✡️
Mr Alex J. Pretti was an ICU nurse at the. Veterans Hospital. By itself noble work. He also cared about the direction of this country and the abuse against neighbors.
I am combat veteran who receives excellent care at my local VA Hospital. We have lost a great American.
PS my own Kehilat has been uninvolved in this situation. It is disheartening. I see you are speaking out. Thank you.
R.I.P dear Alex. Im texting from England and am utterly shocked by what’s happening in your state. My thoughts and prayers are with your community and also send my heartfelt thoughts to Alex’s family. MY HIS MEMORIES BE A BLESSING.