Iowa Cyclists Host Ride to Honor Alex Pretti

Bike event pays tribute to man killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis

Jan. 31, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Cyclists in Des Moines, Iowa organized a bike ride to honor Alex Pretti, a man who was killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. The ride was held to pay tribute to Pretti and raise awareness about the incident.

Why it matters

The death of Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE agents has sparked outrage and protests in Minneapolis, with many calling for greater accountability and reform of the agency's practices. The Iowa bike ride is a show of solidarity and an effort to keep Pretti's memory and the broader issues alive.

The details

Dozens of cyclists participated in the ride, which started and ended at a park in Des Moines. The event featured speeches honoring Pretti and calls for policy changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  • The bike ride took place on January 31, 2026.

The players

Alex Pretti

A man who was killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“Alex's death was a tragedy that should never have happened. We ride today to honor his memory and demand accountability and reform from ICE.”

— Sarah Johnson, Organizer of the bike ride (Des Moines Register)

What’s next

Organizers say they plan to hold the bike ride annually to continue raising awareness about Pretti's death and the need for ICE reform.

The takeaway

The Iowa bike ride demonstrates the far-reaching impact of Alex Pretti's death and the community's commitment to keeping his memory alive and pressing for changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.