Roughly two-dozen vigils were held in cities across the country over the past week to honor the life of AFGE member Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed during an altercation with federal law enforcement officers Jan. 24 in Minneapolis.

Pretti, 37, was an intensive care unit nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, where he dedicated his life to serving American veterans. He was killed on the street while protesting actions related to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

In response, NVAC and AFGE encouraged locals to hold vigils outside area VA hospitals to mourn Pretti’s death, to honor his life and legacy, and to call for justice for Alex.

“It is in these times that we must come together in unity to support one another,” NVAC Council President M.J. Burke said in a online video message. “We just lost a union brother, co-worker and VA nurse in a tragic and senseless way. Alex’s life was taken from us too soon, and we will forever remember his sacrifice for veterans and to the VA.”

Vigils were held in cities including Las Vegas; Washington; Chicago; Seattle; San Francisco; Providence, R.I.; Aurora, Colo.; Portland, Ore.; Durham, N.C.; Augusta, Ga.; and Charleston, S.C.

On Feb. 1, vigils were held in the following cities: Albuquerque, N.M.; Altoona, Pa.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Asheville, N.C.; Aurora, Colo.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Boise, Idaho; Cleveland, Ohio; Columbia, Mo.; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; Hines, Ill.; Iowa City, Iowa; Las Vegas, Nev.; Mather, Calif.; Minneapolis, Minn.; North Chicago, Ill.; Orlando, Fla., Richmond, Va.; Seattle, Wash.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Walla Walla, Wash; and Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

More than 400 people gathered outside of the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis for an evening vigil Feb. 1 honoring Pretti’s life. Among the attendees was Jessica Houser, who was the last nursing student mentored by Pretti.

“Thank you for the impact you had, not just on my life, but on the lives of countless others. Your name has been spoken all over the world, from Minnesota to the halls of Congress, as a shining example of sacrifice and service. I know you would smile at that,” Houser said.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley also addressed attendees at the Minneapolis vigil, highlighting that Pretti’s final moments were spent looking a fellow citizen and calling on the public to follow his example.

“Let’s make good of the life that Alex lived. He set an example for all of us that no matter what the circumstance, we can do what’s right. No matter the situation, we can do what’s right. We can always lend a helping hand. We can always say to our brother or our sister, “Can I help you?,” Kelley said.