CHICAGO (WLS) — Anti-ICE protesters marched through streets in Chicago Sunday over the federal agent killing of Illinois-born ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/p>\n
Pretti was shot and killed<\/a> by a Border Patrol agent Saturday in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n Hundreds faced the cold and snow to take part in two large protests downtown.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, there’s a growing memorial in Alex Pretti’s honor on Chicago’s West Side. Candles and flowers were place outside the Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center near Damen and Taylor. Pretti was an intensive care unit nurse at the V.A in Minnesota.<\/p>\n ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24\/7. Click here to watch<\/a><\/p>\n The first group gathered on Michigan Avenue at Ida B. Wells in the Loop, demanding ICE and Border Patrol to leave Minneapolis, Chicago and other cities.<\/p>\n Police closed down the area to traffic, as speakers including Mayor Brandon Johnson called for justice for Pretti.<\/p>\n “We are not okay with ICE storming our communities and kidnapping our families,” Johnson said. “We are not okay with ICE killing and shooting innocent people without impunity.”<\/p>\n Protestors also called for charges to be filed against the iCE agent who shot and killed Renee Good<\/a>.<\/p>\n A large crowd also gathered at Federal Plaza in the Loop.<\/p>\n “We have to come together as a community to show the government that they’re wrong,” demonstrator Emily Haite said.<\/p>\n Father Michael Pfleger and more local faith leaders in Chicago held a prayer vigil and rally.<\/p>\n “I’m a 39-year-old mom, and it makes me angry when I don’t have answers when my three kids ask me why this is happening,” demonstrator Rachel Steinbachsaid.<\/p>\n RELATED |<\/strong> A minute-by-minute timeline of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a federal agent<\/a><\/p>\n The “Faith Over Fear Coalition” called on people in Illinois to stand in solidarity with people in Minnesota.<\/p>\n “I need to use my voice while I can people died for this right and it’s important for us to exercise it as Americans,” demonstrator Rachel Blackburnsaid.<\/p>\n Protesters say they’re frustrated with the lack of transparency and use of force seen in federal immigration operations across the country.<\/p>\n DHS officials and members of the Trump administration continue to express concern about attacks against federal agents in recent weeks, and that’s something protesters pushed back on Sunday.<\/p>\n “Look at these people here,” demonstrator John Rodgerssaid. “Look at how this is all about peace and good people. And also, I’m not getting paid. I’m here for free.”<\/p>\n More protests are expected in the coming days across Chicago.<\/p>\n A national nursing organization plans to hold a candlelight vigil at the Near West Side V.A. hospital on Wednesday in honor of Pretti.<\/p>\n The 37-year-old American citizen killed by a Border Patrol agent was identified as Alex Pretti<\/a> by the AFGE Professional Local 3669<\/a>, which represents professional employees affiliated with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.<\/p>\n “[A] member of our union lost their life today, and that alone is devastating. Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own,” the union said.<\/p>\n The American Nurses Association also released a statement saying it is “deeply disturbed” by the Pretti’s death. The ANA is calling for a “a full, unencumbered investigation” and urged findings to be shared with Pretti’s family and the public.<\/p>\n The Associated Press reported that Pretti worked as an ICU nurse and was born in Illinois<\/a>.<\/p>\n