Media Advisory: Healthcare Workers To Hold Vigil In Medford To Honor Minnesota VA Nurse Alex Pretti (Photo) - 01/30/26
WHAT: Medford residents and the surrounding community is invited to a vigil honoring Alex Pretti and all those killed and harmed by federal officers. Alex Pretti was an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital who was shot and killed by federal border patrol agents on Saturday, Jan. 24 while observing immigration enforcement activities and attempting to aid a woman federal agents shoved to the ground.
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 31 from 4-6 p.m.
WHERE: Medford Veterans Park, 1601 South Pacific Hwy, Medford
WHO: Nurses, doctors and healthcare workers from local hospitals and clinics, elected leaders and community advocates.
WHY: Nurses and healthcare workers will not stand by while human rights violations continue. We will honor Alex’s legacy by continuing to stand up against injustice and hold ICE, border patrol and similar federal agencies accountable to ensure justice for our colleagues, patients and communities.
“A nurse's job is to care for their patients—but they are also ethically bound to speak out in the face of injustice and human rights violations. Provision 8.2 of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses is clear: 'Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability.' That is exactly what Alex was doing … The Oregon Nurses Association stands in unequivocal solidarity with immigrant communities, with nurses, and with all frontline healthcare professionals across the country who are demanding accountability, and an independent investigation. Federal enforcement tactics that endanger lives and traumatize communities have no place in a just society. We call on all major healthcare systems in Oregon to stand up for nurses, publicly denounce this killing, and to hold ICE and similar federal agents accountable in healthcare settings. A nurse who spent his life caring for veterans was killed by his own government for speaking out. He deserves justice.” - Oregon Nurses Association Statement on Jan. 24
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 24,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.
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