Speakers remember Alex Pretti and join nationwide calls for accountability

By Art Van Kraft for Ashland.news

An estimated 500 people huddled together against the cold and darkness, Sunday, Jan. 25, at Ashland Plaza to mourn a Minnesota man shot dead by federal immigration agents Saturday morning.

Those at the Plaza joined millions across the U.S. holding candlelight vigils to pay homage to the memory of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis.

To some, the event was very personal. Ashland resident Doug Viner stood in the crowd holding his symbol of freedom, the American flag.  

“This flag flew over the U.S. Capitol. When I was 18, I was given this flag by Maryland Sen. Malcom Mathias. I got it when I got my Boy Scout Eagle Badge,” he said. “I couldn’t stay home and let my country go in this direction without showing up. It hurts too much.

“As a scout, I was taught that if you don’t like the way things are going, you change the rules in a lawful, democratic way. I’m troubled by the way that things are happening to our democracy. You have got to go by the rules, that’s what democracy is all about.”

Viner’s wife, Tabitha, stood next to him and expressed optimism. “I feel like I’m bathed in a positive community spirit, and it’s wonderful, “she said. “If this happens around the country, I think we can make a difference.”

State Sen. Jeff Golden was in attendance. He also expressed optimism but warned that change can be fragile. “Something’s building, but the regime is still out of control. We are watching with our own eyes what is happening, so the story that is being spun by the White House can’t stand up to scrutiny,” he said.

“There’s a basic decency here tonight that’s going around the country,” he said,  “Citizens are turning on this administration because of events like the one in Minneapolis this week. It’s an escalating tragedy that has reached the turning point. How long it takes is going to depend on how many millions of people say no. We’re seeing a spark of that here tonight, and I hope we see more.”

An open mic was set up for public comments. Jezra Fletcher was one of the first to address the crowd.

“I’m here standing up for the Constitution. It’s being violated in every which way, First Amendment, Second Amendment, Third , Fourth, every Amendment you can think of,” Fletcher said.

“I was born in the 80s and had a belief in the American Dream and that we were the most free country on the planet. Up until more recently, I believed that. Now I see that the weak are being preyed upon,” he said.

“This is authoritarian, and anyone who supports this administration is not a patriot. The patriots are the ones who stand up for the vulnerable,” Fletcher said.

Victoria Lawton-Díez teaches Spanish at the local Waldorf School. She played a guitar and sang to the crowd.

“Singing is the best way that I know to express the sentiments going on,” she said. “It’s the best way to be peaceful and reach people’s hearts. I’m sick and tired of this. I don’t want people to be martyrs for doing something about this. People are waking up and becoming aware that no one is immune to the violence and the hatred.”

Kat Smith is a local social worker and mental health provider. She told those assembled there’s a way to speak out that results in action through the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition (PIRC).

“There’s a lot of fear in our world right now, and I want people to know through love, connection, and communication, we can build community, and we can still hold love and joy in our hearts,” she said.

“If you see ICE activity in the area, you can call (PIRC), and they will send out people to verify with video. The Portland Rights Immigration Coalition will activate the local response team — 888-622-1510,” she said.

The vigil was organized on short notice by the Oregon District 2 Indivisible group.

A vigil was held Saturday in Talent for Pretti.

Art Van Kraft is an artist living in Ashland and a former broadcast journalist and news director of a Los Angeles-area National Public Radio affiliate. Email him at artukraft@msn.com

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