Minneapolis Vigil Marks Site of Fatal ICE Shooting
A solemn candlelight vigil took place on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 28 January 2026. The gathering commemorated the location where Alex Pretti was fatally shot by immigration enforcement agents, creating a poignant public memorial to the tragic event that has ignited national conversations.
Contrasting Visions of Masculinity on Display
On that frozen Minneapolis street, two fundamentally different understandings of masculinity came into stark contrast. One version, represented by the armed immigration agents, appeared anchored in fear and institutional power. The other, embodied by Pretti's actions, demonstrated a masculinity rooted in care, empathy, and protective instinct.
Alexander Hurst, reflecting on the incident, emphasises that Pretti displayed courage and empathy – qualities he argues should form the foundation of what society teaches young men, rather than the aggressive, power-focused masculinity promoted by certain political movements.
The Right's War on Empathy
For approximately a year preceding this incident, rightwing voices have increasingly framed empathy as problematic. Elon Musk has controversially labelled empathy as "the fundamental weakness of western civilisation", while other commentators have employed even stronger language, describing it as toxic or sinful.
This perspective contrasts sharply with historical ideals of masculine virtue. Medieval chivalry, often referenced by modern conservative movements, actually emphasised values like generosity, courtesy, honesty, and mercy – qualities requiring substantial empathy. The MAGA movement's appropriation of medieval imagery, Hurst suggests, ironically highlights how far its adherents stray from these original virtues.
Pretti's Fateful Decision
Alex Pretti found himself facing masked government agents during a protest situation. Although Minnesota's concealed carry laws meant he legally possessed a firearm, he chose not to draw his weapon. This decision, according to analysts, may have prevented authorities from invoking the Insurrection Act and unleashing more widespread repression.
Instead, Pretti's response focused on protecting another protester who had been pushed to the ground. His action represented what French psychoanalyst Anne Dufourmantelle described as a "voracious acceptance of risk" – risking one's life not from aggression, but from care for others. Dufourmantelle herself died tragically while attempting to save drowning children, embodying the philosophy she wrote about.
Teaching a Different Kind of Courage
There exists a common misconception that nonviolence equates to passivity. However, those raised within traditions of active, nonviolent resistance understand it as requiring tremendous courage and commitment. The challenge, Hurst notes, is that this form of courage must be consciously taught and cultivated over time.
Many young men today encounter primarily fear-based models of masculine power, making them vulnerable to far-right ideologies that offer simplistic, aggressive versions of manhood. As French anthropologist Philippe Bourgois observed in his studies of 1980s Harlem drug gangs, these young men are fundamentally in search of respect and recognition.
Shifting Societal Narratives
Hurst recalls his own fortunate exposure to alternative models through Catholic Worker House gatherings, social justice teach-ins, and relationships that valued emotional vulnerability. These experiences demonstrated that real community involves openness and willingness to sacrifice for others.
Society must deliberately reshape the stories it tells boys and young men about masculine identity. Alex Pretti exemplified courage through empathy and care, while his executioners performed a masculinity based on violence and intimidation. On that Minneapolis street, these two versions clashed definitively.
To young men contemplating what kind of men to become, the message echoes the Rapture's lyrics: "Well take it slow and take my hand." True masculinity, this incident suggests, develops through empathy rather than aggression, through care rather than fear.
