Hayward cyclists join nationwide Unity Ride for Alex Pretti

More than 50 cyclists gathered in Hayward on Saturday as part of Unity Rides happening across the country in memory of Alex Pretti.

Pretti was a 37-year old ICU nurse who lived in the Minneapolis area and was active in the local cycling community. His death last month at the hands of federal immigration agents has sparked memorial rides nationwide.

Riders met at New Moon Bike and Ski before heading to the Hayward Hospital Trails on fat tire bikes to take part in the memorial ride.

Among them was a local nurse, Susan Bauer. She wore a shirt that read, “United we stand, divided we fall,” with the names Alex Pretti and Renée Good printed on it.

“I decided to ride because I stand in solidarity with the people of Minnesota and people across the United States who are protesting against the overreach of our government and their immigration enforcement activities,” says Bauer.

Bauer says seeing video of Pretti’s death was traumatic.

“Just seeing this from our own government killing one of our own citizens was just too much, and it was the same reaction with Renee Good. It was just outright murder in my opinion,” says Bauer.

She says unity is especially important during times like this.

“It’s the duty of the people to speak out if they see our government not representing us in the way that we expect them to. And the more of us that can unite for that cause, the stronger our democracy really is,” says Bauer.

Thomas Thornquest, from Minneapolis, says he wanted to show support and honor Pretti.

“Like Minneapolis is doing now, they’re showing that when people unite for the right reasons it makes a difference, and change can happen,” says Thornquest.

The ride was one of many held across the country to remember Pretti and bring cyclists together in solidarity.