'It makes a statement': Milwaukee cyclists to join movement across country, world honoring Alex Pretti

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee cyclists will join together for a bike ride this Saturday, Jan. 31, in memory of Alex Pretti. 

It's part of a nationwide movement organized by the Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop and Coffee Bar based in Minneapolis, with groups all across the country and world planning to gather for separate bike rides with a unified mission.

According to the post shared on social media, a Riverwest24 lap will be done in Pretti's memory, and in the memory of Renee Good, Keith Porter, Heber Sanchaz Dominguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Parady La, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, and Geraldo Lunas Campos.

Organizers of Riverwest24 say Pretti was a rider in the annual day-long bike ride. 

Saturday's ride will begin at Milwaukee City Hall at 1 p.m.

"I'm not in any biking group, I'm not in any part of that organization, but this is something I feel really important about," said Susan Ruiz, who plans to join. "It's really important for me to attend because I think the more people we get, the more it makes a statement a little louder."

As the daughter of immigrants, Ruiz said it's important for her to stand up for the people who can't.

"I was really inspired by the people of Minneapolis. It was really astonishing seeing so many people that were standing up for this, and not only just standing up, they were standing up in freezing weather, it is so cold outside," Ruiz said. "It's getting a little scary out here, so for me at least, I think biking is just my way of being a peaceful protester, and like I said, honoring the victims who died."

Other local groups are invited to sign up and join the Milwaukee coalition.