(KRON) -- Hundreds of protesters gathered across the Bay Area on Wednesday, uniting campuses and communities in opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration, following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota earlier this month. Ne w videos show Alex Pretti scuffle with federal officers in Minneapolis 11 days before his death At UC Berkeley, demonstrators rallied to demand accountability for Pretti’s death, chanting slogans and holding signs condemning ICE and federal immigration enforcement more broadly. Organizers framed the protest as part of a growing movement against what they described as systemic violence targeting immigrant communities and communities of color. The demonstrations come just days before a nationwide protest known as the “Blackout,” a coordinated action calling on people to skip work, school, and shopping in order to apply economic pressure and protest ICE enforcement. Activists said Wednesday’s rallies were intended to raise awareness and mobilize participants ahead of Friday’s action. Photo: KRON4 News. Protesters pointed to cell phone video from the Minnesota incident that they say contradicts federal officials’ initial accounts. According to activists, the footage suggests Pretti was holding a phone, not a weapon, and had already been disarmed when he was shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation. “We interpret different things differently, and the administration has interpreted different things in different ways,” said Jimena, a UC Berkeley protester. “We’ve seen that with Renee Good as well.” Her comments echoed a broader mistrust among demonstrators toward official federal narratives surrounding immigration enforcement incidents. The Trump administration has labeled Pretti a “terrorist,” a characterization that has drawn criticism even from some conservative voices. One conservative supporter of ICE interviewed at the rally said he generally backs the agency but does not agree with recent actions and recruitment practices, adding, “I am not in support of what happened last Saturday.” Concerns over ICE activity have been heightened by the upcoming Super Bowl, which will bring increased law enforcement presence to the Bay Area. Organizers warned that federal immigration enforcement could intensify during the event. “Part of what we’re doing here is trying to turn everyone into organizers for that action on Friday,” said Jordan Perry, one of the rally’s organizers. Protests extended beyond college campuses. In San Jose, students at East Side San José High School and Overfelt High School walked out to demonstrate against ICE, citing the direct impact immigration enforcement has had on their classmates and families. Overfelt High School principal Vito Chiala noted that Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of a similar student walkout. “Nothing has gotten better,” he said. “The worst of what we imagined happened.” High school junior Jalyssa, who helped organize this year’s protests, spoke about the emotional toll deportations have taken on her community. “It makes me feel very sad,” she said. “People you least expect — it’s hurtful when it’s your friend, neighbor, leaving.” Another student, Naila James, emphasized why students felt compelled to speak out. “It’s kinda disrespectful to the people, the immigrants who kinda keep this country going,” she said. “They’re your teachers, they’re your neighbors, they’re even your friends.” In response to growing concerns, South Bay elected officials are expected to meet in the coming days to discuss ICE’s anticipated presence during the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, organizers say protests like those seen Wednesday will continue across the Bay Area in the lead-up to Friday’s nationwide Blackout action. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published. ...read more read less