CHS Pics | A Cal Anderson memorial to those lost to ICE violence

Organizers have vowed to sustain a nightly candlelight memorial in Cal Anderson Park this week for Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others killed during federal immigration enforcement.

The 5:30 PM vigils are planned to continue through Saturday, one week following Pretti’s killing in Minneapolis by federal agents.

There has been a significant increase in firearm-related incidents related to the enforcement in recent months with Department of Homeland Security personnel involved in a dozen shootings since September — four of them deadly.

Meanwhile, 2025 saw 32 reported deaths during immigration custody and detention — the most in more than 20 years.

Local officials have been calling for a halt to the crackdown and preparing Seattle’s response to increased ICE activity.

Monday night, at the Cal Anderson vigil, participants read a poem written by poet Amanda Gorman to honor Pretti. Gorman also wrote a poem earlier this month to honor Good.

Tuesday night will also bring a rally and vigil outside Beacon Hill’s Seattle veterans hospital just south of Jefferson Park. Pretti worked as an ICU nurse caring for veterans at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. The VA rally will begin gathering at 3:30 PM with the candlelight vigil scheduled to begin at 5 PM.

The Cal Anderson memorial can be found on the north end of the park atop the grassy hill near the fountain.

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