A major ongoing nurses’ strike in New York City began in mid-January 2026. Nearly 15,000 nurses from private hospitals (primarily Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and others under the New York State Nurses Association – NYSNA) walked out demanding better safe staffing ratios, protections against workplace violence, improved security measures (like metal detectors), fair contracts, and overall better conditions for patient and nurse safety.
This is described as one of the largest nurses’ strikes in NYC history, with widespread solidarity from other unions, healthcare workers, and even political figures like NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani joining picket lines.
Alex Pretti (full name Alex Jeffrey Pretti) was a 37-year-old intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was murdered in cold blood by United States Border Patrol agents (in the context of federal immigration enforcement operations, often referred to as ICE-related in reports) on January 24, 2026, during an incident in Minneapolis.Key details from reports:
- Pretti was a U.S. citizen with no serious criminal history (only minor traffic issues noted).
- He was described by family, colleagues, and nursing organizations (including the American Nurses Association and union statements) as a dedicated, kindhearted healthcare worker who cared for veterans and others in critical condition.
- The shooting occurred amid heightened federal immigration enforcement actions under the current administration, following another fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen (Renée Good) in the same city earlier in January.
- Family, local officials, witnesses, and video analyses (from sources like CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC, and others) indicate he was holding a phone (not a gun) while attempting to help or shield a bystander (possibly during pepper-spraying or protester interactions), and that he was tackled by multiple agents before being shot.
- Videos circulating show him assisting someone before the confrontation escalated.
- His family released statements expressing heartbreak and anger, calling for truth and accountability, emphasizing he was peaceful and involved in protests against immigration policies.
- Nursing groups condemned the violence and expressed condolences, highlighting the loss of a fellow healthcare professional.
- The incident has sparked protests, vigils, and calls for investigations in multiple cities, with some labeling it state violence or an execution.
This event happened just yesterday (January 24, 2026), so investigations are ongoing, and narratives remain polarized along political lines. No direct connection appears to the ongoing NYC nurses’ strike (#NURSESONSTRIKE), which is focused on staffing, safety, and contracts in private hospitals—though some solidarity statements from nursing unions have emerged in response to Pretti’s death as a broader healthcare worker issue.
Protests and demands for federal accountability (including possible DOJ/FBI review) are growing, and a widespread “strike until arrests” campaign tied to this specific case is emerging.