The violence, injustice and plain cruelty we are witness in the United States is unthinkable. Countless Americans are rising to defend their neighbours, colleagues, friends and families. This is what Minnesota Nurse Alex Pretti went to do Saturday morning, and it ended with him being shot and killed while trying to protect others. He was murdered for trying to help and for speaking up for peace.
Alex’s actions mirror what millions of Americans just like him are doing every day: standing up for one another. No one should be killed, leaving their family behind to grieve in anger.
Across the world, nurses demonstrate solidarity when we show up for each other and our patients every shift. As nurses, we are known for our strength and compassion. We understand one another, and we understand why we are called to act, even when it hurts. Speaking up and standing shoulder to shoulder with our neighbours is what we need to do right now.
The over 250,000 union nurses of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) are proud of Alex’s actions and stand with his family and colleagues. We also support the call from our sister union National Nurses United and call on the U.S. Congress to abolish ICE and invest in health care.
CFNU is calling on Canadian nurses and allies to join the NNU candlelight vigil on Wednesday, January 28th at 7:30 P.M., either in spirit, virtually or by simply lighting a candle in our homes.
Together, let’s make North America shine in remembrance of Alex and in solidarity with those striving for peace, justice and safety for all.
