SANDPOINT — Community members organized by Sandpoint Indivisible held an hour-long vigil in Farmin Park on Sunday evening.

Organizers said more than 220 people attended the candlelight vigil which was quickly put together following the death of Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. The vigil was held in honor of Pretti and several others who have been killed during the federal government’s recent intense immigration enforcement campaign, according to the event’s flier. 

"Just a lot of sadness. I think people are shocked and grieving about what it’s come to,” Jean Gerth, an organizer, said. “It wasn’t there to get people riled up; it was there to just let people be together.”  

During the vigil, Gerth said attendees circled around a campfire and were led in many different songs by fellow organizer Rachel Castor. Gerth described a solemn atmosphere as attendees sang protest songs like “We Shall Overcome” and “Summons”. 

"Singing together is really powerful,” Gerth said. “It’s a way to express sadness and grief and not be alone.” 

The vigil marks the third event held by Sandpoint Indivisible in January, which Gerth described as unfortunate, but necessary. Gerth credited the Sandpoint Indivisible's upper leadership for putting together the events in quick succession.  

Gerth said the event was non-political and reiterated the concerns that many residents are feeling following the events in Minneapolis. 

“We’re feeling concerned and we want to see people feeling like they can live safely in their communities,” Gerth said. “I think that’s the primary motivation for people coming out to an event like this. We live in a small town we know what it is like to be in a community and then you see people genuinely afraid where they live, that upsets me.”