In a poignant display of solidarity and grief, nurses and healthcare professionals assembled outside a Veterans Affairs hospital in Manhattan for a candlelight vigil. The gathering honoured the memory of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who was tragically killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, just five days prior on 24 January 2026.
A Frigid Evening of Remembrance
The vigil, held on the evening of 29 January, packed the block near the healthcare facility despite the cold weather. Attendees braved the frigid temperatures to pay their respects, with many placing flowers and lighting candles at a makeshift memorial that included a snow pile adorned with tributes.
Honouring a Legacy of Care
Participants sought to commemorate Pretti's dedicated work at a Minneapolis VA medical centre, where he served as an ICU nurse. Signs and chants echoed sentiments of courage and loss, with one placard reading, 'May we all be granted your courage.' The event also remembered Renee Good, another individual killed by a federal agent earlier in January, and others who have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Strike Action and Professional Demands
The vigil coincided with an ongoing strike by nurses in New York, who are demanding improved working conditions. This convergence of mourning and activism highlighted the broader struggles within the US healthcare system, as professionals grieve while advocating for change.
Citywide Healthcare Solidarity
The gathering brought together healthcare workers from across New York City, fostering an outpouring of shared grief and support. Emotional embraces and moments of silence underscored the deep impact of Pretti's death on the nursing community and those affected by his passing.
As candles flickered in the winter air, the vigil served as a powerful reminder of the personal sacrifices and challenges faced by healthcare professionals, amplifying calls for justice and better working environments amidst ongoing industrial action.
