Press Release: 1/26/2026

Massachusetts Nurses Association Statement Condemning the Unwarranted and Brutal Killing of Alex Pretti, an ICU Nurse with the Veterans Administration by Federal Agents in Minneapolis

 

01.25.2026

CANTON, MA – The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), the state’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses and healthcare professionals with more than 26,000 members is issuing this statement condemning in the strongest terms the unwarranted and brutal killing of Alex Pretti, RN, an ICU nurse with the Veterans Administration (VA), who was gunned down by federal agents on Saturday while engaging in his lawful right to observe and document the ongoing violation of human rights by ICE officials in Minneapolis. 

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Alex’s family, friends and to the veterans he served through his caring work at the VA, and to all those in Minneapolis and other municipalities struggling to address the violence and terror brought to those communities by ICE and other affiliated immigration enforcement agencies. 

As an ICU nurse Alex often operated in the space between life and death, giving patients another chance, precious extra time or dignity in death. In his last recorded act Alex bravely put himself into that space and stood in front of others to protect them from further brutality. This killing, like the loss of Renee Good, has sent shock waves through the nation, and now has galvanized those millions of nurses and health professionals across the nation who know that in losing one of our own for simply exercising his right to protect the public health. in a very real sense, “we are all Alex Pretti.”

In recognition of our ethical and professional obligation to provide care and advocacy to protect all the communities we serve, we call upon our colleagues, responsible elected officials and all who advocate for social justice to do whatever is necessary to hold the Trump administration accountable for its ongoing violation of our constitutional and human rights. 

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Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 26,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.