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Locals protest ICE Shooting at Fernandina Beach Courthouse
About 80-to-100 locals gathered Sunday evening in front of the historic Fernandina Beach courthouse to protest the shooting death of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Nassau Community Voices Coalition (NCVC) member Sheila Cocchi said concerned Amelia Island citizens gathered in a rapid-response vigil to state clearly: we are outraged by the ongoing abuses, mistreatment, and deadly consequences of ICE enforcement in our country. We refuse to sit by while members of our community live in fear or are harmed by systems meant to serve justice.
In the tragic aftermath of VA ICU nurse Pretti’s death Saturday morning, Cocchi said that after a variety of meetings on how we wanted to support our community, it was clear there was interest in a vigil/protest in light of another ICE fatal shooting.
Within just 3 hours, NCVC organized and got the word out through networks and social media, Cocchi said.
We're really pleased to have nearly 100 local residents come out to take action and express a growing interest in standing up against the injustices and inhumanity we are seeing from ICE. This action is part of a growing tide of dissent from people who refuse to sit back and watch families be torn apart and lives lost to state-sanctioned violence, Cocchi reported.
Another group, Unified Nassau, issued a statement condemning ICE’s actions.
“Alex Pretti was a dedicated intensive care nurse working for the Veterans
Administration. Alex Pretti was a good man, trying to help a neighbor who had been
assaulted by ICE agents. His colleagues spoke of his dedication to science, to people, to healing. Unified Nassau believes the videos, not the propaganda and double-speak concocted to shift the blame to the victim and legitimize the heinous actions of ICE agents. ICE and the Trump administration must be held accountable for this murder and all the other atrocities committed in the name of national security.” the statement said.
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Mdthorn61
The whole problem stems from one political party telling the people to protest and not in a peaceful way. They challenge everything this present administration has done to even thinking about doing. Just the latest a threat by a Senator to start another impeachment because of ICE. This whole thing is out of control as everyone knows and neither side is going to be proud of what they do or have done. At least you had a peaceful protest guess no paid instigators in the crowd.
Wednesday, January 28 Report this
SalamiShorts
The whole problem is that an out of control lawless administration is harassing and now murdering Americans who disagree with the administration's authoritarian policies and tactics. The problem is that the Republican Congress refuses to challenge trump and stand for America. They are so afraid of trump primarying them and sending them back into the working class, that they not only back his insane actions and ludicrous demands, they despicably and knowingly lie to the electorate by claiming his actions are normal and justified when they know they are not. Now, I see Americans cheering on this administration as our foundational freedoms are being ignored, and then claiming that their devotion to trump is patriotism. It is not, it is the opposite.
Wednesday, January 28 Report this
dpwagner
Everyone has a right to express their opinions on any topic they wish without fear of being denigrated. Peaceful protests are a right of every American but what we’re seeing in Minnesota are by no means peaceful. The governor, the mayor and the Attorney General are doing nothing to help the situation. I am saddened by the death of Mr. Pretti but why was he carrying a fully loaded weapon to a protest? Let’s let the legal process run it’s course before we declare anyone guilty or innocent.
Wednesday, January 28 Report this
SalamiShorts
I guess I have to remind everyone that is concerned about why a legal citizen was carrying a legal weapon with a legal permit while legally protesting. It was his right as much as it is yours. The 2nd Amendment you value so much doesn't only apply to people you agree with politically. What a world this is that I need to explain this to my Countrymen.
Thursday, January 29 Report this
dpwagner
Salami shorts….carrying a gun to a protest? Common Sense should tell you it’s a bad idea. Let due process play out.
Thursday, January 29 Report this
SalamiShorts
dpwag. Your version of common sense or The Constitution of The United States of America? Common sense should tell you that our Constitution is the authority, not you or anyone else's emotionally charged opinion. Also, in case you are not aware, the denial and disregard of due process by ICE and other federal agencies is exactly what is being protested, so I don't know what your statement even means in this context.
Thursday, January 29 Report this
RobertR
Packing thousands of military grade arms tooting improperly trained goons into any neighborhood granting them blanket immunity for any action(s) regardless if justified or not results in the actions we're witnessing. The arrogance exhibited by the recorded comments of ICE uniform wearing individuals is beyond any previously accepted behavior I've ever witnessed by law enforcement. The 5th estate used to be the guardrails of governmental behaviors now the modern cell phones recording video are. How long before a Presidential Proclamation banning use of cell phone video taping where ever any uniformed governmental official is present is my question. Not long sadly I fear. Protest is allowable so long as it's peaceful.....until it's not allowed at all. Calling public gatherings prayer meetings is not going to protect you Folks.
Friday, January 30 Report this