COPWATCH STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF ALEX PRETTI Watch The Cops as If Lives Depend on It- Because They DO!

Berkeley Copwatch extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Alex Pretti who was murdered by ICE on Jan. 24, 2026. He was clearly a righteous defender of community and a person who was willing to take risks to hold law enforcement accountable. As the videos of his murder make their way online, a couple of things become clear. (1) It is clear that he was non-violently recording ICE activity.  (2) We only know that he was murdered because of the courageous actions of the other people in the area who were also recording ICE activity. 

Those of us who have made a practice of recording police activity understand very well that there are risks associated with this type of activism. When we record law enforcement, we operate with the understanding that we have rights that might get violated and we accept that risk so that we can fight to maintain these rights. The brazen murder of Alex Pretti in broad daylight was meant to send a message to those who dare to document and record their crimes and abuse. This murder was meant to strike terror into our hearts and to dissuade us from braving the streets and bearing witness to their atrocities. We know that the actions of ICE follow in a long tradition of state sanctioned terror carried out by law enforcement for as long as “law enforcement” has existed. This particular execution was carried out without even the slightest pretense of accountability or consequence.

What the agents don’t understand is that they have struck a rock. They have dislodged a boulder and they will be crushed. Instead of retreating from the streets, we encourage EVERYONE to get trained on their rights, get a camera/phone, and be at the scene of these crimes. The fight for justice may take years, but we will eventually call each one of these thugs to account for their crimes. To the Community - please continue to learn about your rights, be confident in their relevance and fight like hell to retain them. The more people who are in the streets recording, the quicker we can counter their false narratives with actual footage and facts. Now more than ever, it matters that you stay and watch. It matters that you record the crimes. It matters that others can contrast the lies of the Trump administration with the reality captured on your cameras. 

Stay strong! Know your rights! Fight for freedom!