Jennifer Aniston makes rare political stand after Alex Pretti's fatal shooting
WASHINGTON, DC: Jennifer Aniston broke her usual silence on politics to weigh in on the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis.
The ‘Friends’ star, 56, shared a series of slides on her Instagram Stories to express her thoughts on the incident and urge her followers to pay attention to the national debate it has sparked.
Jennifer Aniston shares Alex Pretti’s parents' statement
According to the first slide of Jennifer Aniston’s Instagram Story on Sunday, January 25, she reposted a statement from Alex Pretti’s parents that was originally shared by Senator Bernie Sanders.
In it, his parents said they were “heartbroken but also very angry.” They described Pretti as a kindhearted man who cared deeply for his "family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital."
Pretti’s parents wrote, "Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman."
In their statement, his parents also pushed back against claims from the Department of Homeland Security that Pretti had a weapon in his hand when he was shot. They called the administration’s account “sickening lies” and “reprehensible and disgusting,” asserting that the video shows their son clearly holding a phone with one hand and raising his empty other hand while trying to shield the woman from harm.
The statement concluded with a plea from Pretti’s parents: “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you.”
Jennifer Aniston posts a video of Alex Pretti, encourages civic engagement
In a second Instagram Story shared by Jennifer Aniston, Alex Pretti appeared speaking to his colleagues at the VA hospital as they gathered to honor a fallen veteran. Addressing the group, Pretti reflected on the cost of freedom and the sacrifice of those who served.
“Today we remember that freedom is not free,” Pretti said. “May we never forget and always remember our brothers and sisters who have served so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom.”
He continued, “So in this moment, we remember and give thanks for their dedication and selfless service to our nation, in the cause of our freedom. In this solemn hour, we read them our honor and our gratitude.”
In another set of slides Aniston shared, she urged her followers to contact their local leaders and participate in political advocacy by voicing their opinions about the fatal Minneapolis shooting of Pretti. The slides were set to the 1996 song 'Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand' by Primitive Radio Gods.
'The Friends' star also highlighted a message encouraging civic engagement to call 202-224-3121 to reach both US senators and their representative, noting that staffers track the volume of calls from actual constituents, not emails or letters, to gauge voter sentiment and the issues being discussed.
The post, originally shared by political commentator Ben Sheehan, explained, "One call might not change anything - but many calls absolutely could. It's like tug-of-war - one person pulling may not win, but you have a MUCH better chance if thousands pull simultaneously, even a little.'"
