PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) has released a statement condemning the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal agents on Friday. Pretti was an ICU nurse at a VA hospital, and the ONA says his death is sending shockwaves of fear through healthcare facilities right here in Oregon. The Association describes itself as “outraged and heartbroken” over the loss of a colleague they say dedicated his life to caring for military veterans.
In their statement released on Saturday, the ONA emphasized that Pretti was killed while exercising an ethical duty. They cite the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, which explicitly states that nurses are bound to speak out against human rights violations. However, the union is raising an urgent alarm about what this means locally. They report that Oregon nurses are already experiencing “growing fear and distress” regarding the presence of federal agents in hospitals, specifically citing Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland.
“The killing of a nurse is intensifying these fears and could create unsafe conditions for patients, their families, and frontline caregivers alike. Healthcare settings must be places of care, not sites of intimidation or terror.” – The Oregon Nurses Association…