Hundreds of protesters filled downtown Seattle on Saturday following the reported killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a federal officer earlier that morning. The demonstration, organized by the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, called for accountability from federal immigration authorities.
Protesters gathered near the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, blocking southbound traffic on 2nd Avenue at Madison Street around 6 p.m. Organizers said the protest and vigil were convened in response to Pretti’s death, which they attributed to an ICE officer. Participants expressed grief and anger, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of federal enforcement violence.
Crowd estimates ranged from roughly 500 to more than 1,000 people. The protest briefly spilled onto Madison Avenue, disrupting traffic as Seattle police monitored the scene and assisted with crowd control.
Demonstrators set up a memorial honoring Pretti and others who died during encounters with federal agents. Details surrounding Pretti’s death have not been released, and the circumstances of the fatal encounter remain unclear.
The protest was described as peaceful, with no reported arrests or injuries. The swift turnout reflects ongoing tensions between Seattle’s activist community and federal immigration enforcement agencies.
