For Immediate Release: January 26, 2026
IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper issued the following statement on the tragic death of Alex Pretti and the current situation in Minnesota:
“This weekend, the labor movement lost a brother. Alex Pretti was a member of AFGE Local 3669 and a devoted public servant, who was killed while exercising his First Amendment right to protest.
“No matter where you fall on the political spectrum or where you stand on the debate surrounding immigration, Alex’s death is a tragedy.
“The IBEW has long stood with the brave men and women of law enforcement at all levels of government. But what we are seeing in Minnesota is excessive use of force and government overreach that is inflaming an already tense situation.
“The IBEW’s Constitution calls on each of us to seek human justice, human rights and human security and to refuse to condone or tolerate oppression of any kind.
“What happened in Minneapolis is not only a tragedy but an injustice. We call on President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security to move immediately to deescalate the tension in Minnesota, to provide a full and fair accounting of Saturday’s tragic shooting, and to work with local officials and law enforcement to protect Constitutional rights and the health and safety of everyone, regardless of politics.
“All Americans should be united in speaking out against the tragedy unfolding in America today. IBEW members and all working families should contact their elected representatives in Washington to demand an end to government overreach and a return to sensible enforcement of the law.
“From its earliest days the labor movement has stood for the principles of fairness and justice and equal treatment for all. When America has occasionally failed to live up to its lofty founding principles, the men and women of the labor movement have always been there to help guide it back to the righteous path. This moment calls for us to rise to that challenge once again.”
