On March 15, 2024, a coordinated ‘National Day of Action’ is set to take place across the Bay Area, encouraging community members to refrain from shopping, attending school, and going to work. This initiative aims to show solidarity with protesters in Minnesota following the tragic death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis the previous weekend.
In Menlo Park, a gathering took place on Thursday evening to honor Pretti’s memory. Attendees included local community members and various organizations such as Veterans for Peace and the Raging Grannies. One protester expressed deep frustration, stating, “For me, it was seeing a fellow federal worker getting murdered in the street and seeing nothing from the administration.”
The planned walkouts and closures reflect a broader sentiment among federal employees, who, due to restrictions on striking, are seeking alternative methods to make their voices heard. Many local businesses are also participating in the action. For instance, Arizmendi Bakery in Oakland will close its doors to demonstrate solidarity with the cause. Bakery owner Adrien Sanderson commented on the significance of this gesture, saying, “These small inconveniences are insignificant to what is actually happening to the country, and it is the least that we can do to manage these inconveniences on our end in order to stand in solidarity.”
Residents in San Francisco are similarly motivated. Local resident Josh Zeier remarked on the emotional impact of Pretti’s death, stating, “I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much over someone I never met. It was really important to say something and to do something to honor his memory.”
As businesses and schools prepare for the National Day of Action, the planned closures and walkouts serve as a platform for collective grief and a call for change. Organizers believe that demonstrations like these highlight the resilience and compassion of communities, emphasizing the importance of standing together during challenging times.
As the day unfolds, the Bay Area will witness a powerful display of solidarity, reminding everyone of the ongoing struggles faced by those within the healthcare system and the broader implications of government actions.
