Boyle Heights, CA – On Tuesday, January 20, Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) marched alongside the family of Jeremy Anthony Flores to LAPD’s Hollenbeck Division station to deliver a petition and demand justice for Flores, a 26-year-old Chicano who was tragically shot and killed by police officers Michael Ruiz, Livier Jimenez and Fernando R Godinez.

Flores was unarmed when he was murdered on July 14, 2025. Flores’s family have been fierce and determined in their fight for justice. Together with Centro CSO’s Police Accountability Committee, they have organized multiple protests, disrupted police events like National Night Out, and even travelled to Chicago for the National Alliance Against Racist And Political Repression conference this past November.

“From day one to present day, Centro CSO is by my side helping me to get justice for my son, nothing and nobody is going to give me my son back but we have to continue until they heard his name and what happened to him in the police’s hands,” said Isabella Rivera, Flores’ mother.

Centro CSO and Flores’s family have gone door to door across the historic Estrada Courts area of Boyle Heights, gathering signatures to demand transparency, accountability and justice. Together, they marched to LAPD’s doors to present the Hollenbeck Division with a petition with over 200 signatures, highlighting the community’s desire for police accountability. Seeing the large group of working-class Chicanos approach the public station, officers locked the front door in fear. Flores’s family pounded on the door as LAPD cops scrambled to hide in the empty lobby. Protesters chanted “Jail killer cops!” and “La policia, la migra, la misma porqueria” in the front of the station. The spirited protesters also waved hand painted banners that read “Killer cops inside” and “Justice for Jeremy Flores.”

“It started a bit bumpy but we got our message across, and that's what matters, bringing justice to my brother's name and we will not stop till we reach what's wanted and needed!” said Sergio Flores, Jeremy’s older brother.

Gabriel Quiroz Jr, co-chair of Centro CSO’s Police Accountability Committee, spoke in support of the family, saying, “One year into Trump's recent term and we are continuing the fight against police crimes, Trump has attacked our Raza but we have taken the fight to him as well! If it’s Mmgra or LAPD it doesn’t matter, we will stand up and fight back!”

Derek Mejia, also co-chair of Centro CSO’s Police Accountability Committee, said, “I think it's shameful that officers at Hollenbeck Station quickly responded by locking the doors to the building. We arrived there peacefully to deliver the petition to demand transparency towards the murder of Jeremy Flores. LAPD and the Board of Police Commissioners have shown time and time again that they are not interested in doing right by the communities they swore to ‘protect.’ Instead, they duck accountability whenever and wherever they can, such as cancelling a Board of Police Commissioners meeting or closing the door to a public space. We will continue to show up and demand Justice for Jeremy Flores, whether they cancel their meetings or lock the doors to their stations.”

Allies like Stop LAPD Spying and About Face Los Angeles and others supported and spoke in solidarity with the family of Jeremy Anthony Flores

The protest ended with a promise to continue to organize and fight back. At one point LAPD officers came out and accepted the petition. The family and Centro CSO said they will confront the chief, captain or even the killer cops in public until their demands are met.

If you would like to become involved with Centro CSO, you can send a message on their social media platforms @CentroCSO or email them at CentroCSO@gmail.com.

#BoyleHeightsCA #LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PoliceCrimes #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CentroCSO

Boyle Heights, CA – On September 21, Centro CSO led a rally dubbed “ICE Out of Our Barrios” as a part of the national weekend of action called by the Legalization For All (L4A). The action denounced the Supreme Court ruling to legalize DHS agents’ racially profiling Raza based on their skin complexion, the language they speak, places they work at and live in as “relevant factors” for suspicion of being in the country illegally.

About 30 people gathered at Mariachi Plaza and chanted “Stop the deportations,” “ICE out of LA” “LAPD, KKK, IOF they're all the same!” and denounced the deaths caused by ICE agents during their violent raids.

“We are gathered here because a dangerous decision was just made at the highest court of this land,” said Verita Topete, who leads CSO’s Immigration Committee. “This ruling is an attack on our working-class immigrant community, on students, on families who keep this city alive. It means our neighbors, friends and family can be questioned, detained, or even killed simply for being who they are.”

On September 8, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of ICE to conduct “roving patrols” and gave ICE the green light to legally use racial profiling to detain and arrest Chicanos and Raza immigrants suspected of living in the country illegally. The decision came after the district court in July ordered the Department of Homeland Security to stop racially profiling Chicanos, Mexicanos, Centro Americanos and Latinos in southern California during ICE stops.

“We demand an end to police killings against Raza and an end to oppression that Chicanos face at the bloody hands of LAPD, LASD and CHP!” said Gabriel Quiroz Jr, the co-chair of CSO’s Police Accountability Committee, who connected the Supreme Court ruling to the constant law enforcement attacks Chicanos face. “Who better to make a difference than us? Who better to fight back against oppression than Raza, who had the boot of U.S. imperialism on their neck their whole lives? That's why we uplift the demand of ‘Community Control of the Police,’ we want to give Raza the power to determine how policing looks like in their barrio and to be able to hire and fire pigs and to be able to jail killer cops.”

“Immigrants and working-class people are under attack not just by ICE and the police but from the U.S. imperialist system,” said Victor Rodriguez who spoke on behalf of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. ”We’re not criminals! Immigrants are not the problem! The real problem is a system that values profit over people and borders over humanity!”

Carlos Montes, a co-chair of Centro CSO’s education committee, stated, “Immigrant communities are also put into overcrowded schools, students are pushed into the military and schools targeted by privatization by charter schools!”

Kate Regan, a teacher and member of Centro CSO, said, “Democracy only works if we work it. The people must defend due process. Defend the right to free, public education. Defend the right for people to live in their communities without fear of being kidnapped.”

Sol Marquez, a co-chair of Centro CSO’s Immigration Committee, raised the names of immigrants recently killed by ICE. The crowd chanted, “Silverio Villegas-González! Jaime Alanis Garcia! Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez!” Marquez also connected the protest in Boyle Heights to the actions across the country from member organizations of the Legalization 4 All Network.

After speeches, the crowd blocked off First Street while chanting and holding large banners and signs.

For more information, follow Centro CSO on social media or email them at CentroCSO@gmail.com.

#BoyleHeightsCA #LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #ICE #SCOTUS

Boyle Heights, CA – 400 people gathered at Mariachi Plaza on June 8, for a protest called by Centro CSO against recent ICE raids in Los Angeles. Other demands included legalization for all, ICE out of our barrios, no Metro collaboration with ICE, ICE out of immigration courts, and free those detained in the basement of the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Organized by Centro CSO, the event was spirited and united many from within and outside of Boyle Heights. A highlight was when CSO’s own Dolores Huerta joined the protest and spoke about the history of CSO. She called out one of CSO’s members, Carlos Montes and pointed to him in the crowd.

“When Fred Ross and Ed Roybal created the CSO, it wasn’t long after that Cesar Chavez and I were trained by the CSO,” said Dolores Huerta. “And then came Carlos Montes.”

Other speakers included Enrique Velasquez of Proyecto Pastoral, Nyusha Lin of the ILPS, and Sam Carrera, who is a member of CSO as well as a Teamster 396 rank-and-filer.

“The National Guard is currently in the fuck around and find out stage. When it comes to barrios like Boyle Heights, Barrio Logan, Minnesota, we do not play. This is a language that we are much more well versed in,” said Sam Carrera. “Because what do we do when our communities are under attack? We stand up, fight back!”

Emceed by Verita Topete and Brandon Cho of Centro CSO, the event started at Mariachi Plaza and then protesters marched to the Metropolitan Detention Center located in the Little Tokyo area of downtown. The peaceful march, which included countless children in strollers and in baby carriers, was met by militarized National Guard. Without warning the Guard launched tear gas projectiles into the crowd. One participant was completely covered in tear gas and immersed himself in milk and removed his shirt.

Without hesitation, the CSO security team managed to control the situation and rounded its participants to march back to Boyle Heights. A large portion of the crown stayed behind to confront the National Guard. Leading chants on a truck were CSO members Lucy Amaro, Nadia Topete and Leilani Gonzalez.

At one point Sol Marquez of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization hopped the truck addressing the remaining crowd, “Raise your hand if you were just tear gassed!” A number of people did. “Medics, come to the front and please help them. We also want to thank those of you returning back with us, especially those who have young children. We keep us safe. And we should also understand that the people have every right to be angry. To those who stayed behind to confront the National Guard, we thank them also. What is happening at the detention center and to our undocumented siblings is not okay, and today they met with the wrath of la Raza.”

Over 200 people have been reported to be locked up in the basement of the detention center. A leaked video documented cries, shouts of help, and babies crying at the Metropolitan Detention Center. Inside reports by detained immigrants speak of countless human rights violations like a lack of water, food and bathrooms.

Plans are for CSO to stage another protest on Monday, June 9. For more information, reach out to them on social media @CentroCSO.

#BoyleHeightsCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO

By Gabriel Quiroz Jr and Sol Márquez

Boyle Heights, CA – On October 23, a heavily militarized police force of close to 100 Los Angeles Police Department officers surrounded a residential home in Boyle Heights. The raid would result in the death of a Chicano man.

The LAPD terror began when officers chased and cornered Gerardo Flores, a local Chicano who they claimed had violated his parole. Flores was running for his life when patrol cruisers chased him. This was LAPD’s second attempt to arrest Flores. The first attempt was a few days before, and while unsuccessful, had not been similarly escalated.

On October 23, Flores ran to a friend's garage and sought refuge. The friend later told Fight Back! that Flores was suffering from a mental health crisis and was horrified at the idea of going back to jail.

LAPD’s local Hollenbeck station is notorious for their harassment and murder of young Chicanos. In 2016, LAPD killer-cop Eden Medina murdered Chicanos Omar Gonzalez and Jesse Romero 12 days apart from each other. Medina is currently free and still patrolling LA streets.

On October 23, multiple Centro CSO members heard countless police sirens and a low-flying helicopter in their neighborhood. When the uncommon activity suddenly grew uncommonly long, they ran outside to investigate what LAPD was doing in the barrio. What they witnessed was the 3rd and Saratoga intersection completely blocked off, as were neighboring streets. Dozens of LAPD cruisers had occupied all streets, refusing to allow pedestrians from approaching their nearby homes or vehicles.

CSO members went live on their social media to allow the public to witness the scene unfolding. By now LAPD had received even more backup. Both marked and unmarked cruisers were parked in front of the home where Flores was hiding.

LAPD was armed with weapons that included rifles. Many K-9 units were present, and their dogs were unleashed and free to roam. Neighbors gathered to witness the scene and were very agitated. Residents, including a young Chicana woman and her 100-year-old grandmother, were not allowed for hours to leave their homes, due to them being now part of an involuntary crime scene. LAPD pointed guns and tear gas munitions into their residences and told them to stay put.

Once LAPD crew was at the residence where Flores was hiding. Officers grabbed a Mexican flag attached to a pole that was hanging at the home. They used it to break all the security cameras around the residence. The owner of the home reported to Fight Back! that he never gave consent to his cameras being smashed and destroyed.

At no point did LAPD bring crisis negotiators to talk to Gerardo Flores. Instead, LAPD requested assistance from SWAT, known to have an inner gang of officers who favor using deadly force. This deputy gang is known as the “SWAT Mafia.”

Even more LAPD cruisers arrived on the scene. SWAT made the call to clear the area and the patrol officers forcefully removed witnesses, including CSO members. They threatened to arrest them all if they did not comply. Two armored SWAT tanks arrived on scene, filled with dozens of tactical-armed SWAT officers. The officers held military-grade weapons. Multiple LAPD suburban trucks, utility trucks and utility vans filled with different weapons also arrived.

An LAPD SWAT robot was unleashed in front of the home where Flores was. Three very tall bulletproof shields on wheels were unloaded from SWAT vehicles and descended upon the home. Multiple SWAT followed in tow. At one point, nine shots were heard. Without warning witnesses, SWAT fired tear gas at the garage where Flores was. Smoke was observed but no further information was ever provided. Neighbors eventually were allowed back to their homes and vehicles. The scene continued until early the following day.

Flores did not survive the standoff. No LAPD public information or public comment has been made about the situation. A formal pronouncement of Flores’ death was made at the SWAT scene on October 23, 4:22 pm. The manner of death was reported by the coroner’s office as a single gunshot to the head, and that it was a suicide. Gerardo Flores was 41 years old.

The owner of the residence where Flores died told Fight Back! that the manner in which Flores was treated posthumously was, “Shameful.” He allowed Fight Back! to witness the scene left by SWAT.

Centro Community Service Organization was founded in 1947 and continues to fight against police brutality and terror. In an effort to hold the police accountable, and potentially save the life of someone, CSO will continue monitoring the streets. If you wish to join CSO, contact them at (323) 484-8630 or message them on social media @CentroCSO.

#BoyleHeightsCA #LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #KillerCops #CentroCSO

Boyle Heights, CA – On July 12, over 25 people gathered at Mariachi Plaza and joined the emergency and national day of action for the Tampa 5. The Tampa 5 are five women from Tampa who were brutally arrested while staging a peaceful protest at the University of South Florida (USF).

The protest was for diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at USF, and July 12 was the second court hearing for the five activists, mostly members of the Tampa Bay Students for Democratic Society (SDS). The five are facing up to ten years of incarceration. The SDS and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR) made a national call to action to drop the charges on the Tampa 5.

“These five women were protesting DeSantis’ attacks on diversity at the university and were attacked by the pigs for it,” said Luis Sifuentes, member of Centro CSO and NAARPR.

Sifuentes continued, “This isn’t just happening in Florida, it’s happening all across the country and the U.S. is hounding down radicals and communists challenging a system of white supremacy, racism and sexism.”

“I used to live in Tampa and attended other actions by the Tampa Bay SDS, not once did the campus police resort to violently arresting anybody,” said Sol Márquez, member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Marquez continued, “Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently passed SB 1718 criminalizing the undocumented, is a threat to us all. The bigots are using the Tampa 5 as a warning to all who oppose them.”

Carlos Montes of Centro CSO and himself a target of political repression said, “It takes a national campaign to pressure the district attorney and the state to drop the charges. We will continue mobilizing, packing the courtroom, and demanding a ‘not guilty’ verdict!”

“Because of work, I was sad I wouldn’t be in Chicago for the national day of action,” said Merawi Gerima with the Chicago Alliance. “But then CSO called for an action and here I am! Representing Chicago in solidarity with the Tampa 5.”

Organized by Centro Community Service Organization (CSO), the event was held at Mariachi Plaza’s gazebo at the intersections of 1st Street and Boyle Avenue, overlooking the downtown LA skyline. Others who united were a large contingent of Teamsters, the Chicago Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression (CAARPR), BAYAN, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Peace & Freedom, People’s City Council, and mariachi musicians who live and frequent Mariachi Plaza.

As the Tampa 5 continue fighting to have their charges dropped, CSO will remain vigilant. Stay tuned and sign the petition here: https://peoplespetitions.org/

#BoyleHeightsCA #PoliticalRepression #Tampa5

Boyle Heights, CA – A great show of unity and solidarity against police abuse took place in Boyle Heights, Feb. 12, with a spirited protest of over 50 people. The Mendez family, friends, neighbors, supporters, activists and Centro CSO members protested at LAPD Hollenbeck police station over the Feb. 6 killing of Jose Mendez, a Boyle Heights teen. Protesters demanded justice for Jose Mendez and an end to police killings of our Chicano youth.

The Mendez family asked Centro CSO to organize the protest to get justice for Jose Mendez and to prevent this from happening to other families. Centro CSO united with the family and quickly organized the protest, which was viewed all over Southern California in local media outlets.

CSO has a long history of fighting against the police brutality of Chicanos, including responding to the historic 1951 Bloody Christmas case.

The protesters joined the Mendez family with friends neighbors and supporters. Many students from Roosevelt high school also came out. They chanted, “Ya basta! No más muertes!” and “Que queremos? Justicia! Cuando? Ahora!” and “Aquí estamos y no nos vamos.”

Sol Marquez with Centro CSO (Community Service Organization) spoke to the crowd. Marquez stated, “Today LAPD heard us loud and proud, Boyle Heights will continue demanding justice for Jose Mendez. It could have been any of us Chicanos, gunned down by these racist cops.”

Jose Mendez's father, Juan, thanked the protest for their support and said, “I fled from Mexico for the U.S. thinking there would be less violence. But there is more violence here. The police killed my son. I hope there is justice and I hope they are punished. I don’t want this to happen to other families.”

Carlos Montes, veteran Chicano revolutionary and organizer with Centro CSO, said, “The anger and frustration in the community turned in to a militant protest to denounce this brutal killing of a young Chicano. This protest is carrying on the long tradition of resistance to racist oppression in Boyle Heights such as police abuse, and extreme poverty. We will continue to fight back in our struggle for self-determination.”

In the center of Boyle Heights, on First Street, the protesters continued chanting. Drivers passing honked their horns in support of the protesters. Police helicopters hovered overhead. The protesters kept chanting, while people came up to speak through the bullhorn.

The family urged for help with funeral costs. They will be hosting a car wash fundraiser this weekend. The community is planning its next steps to fight for Jose Mendez and the family has retained an attorney.

The LAPD and other police departments in Los Angeles County have a long history of harassing, abusing and killing Chicanos and Blacks. In the mid 1990s, the LA County sheriffs killed Smokey Jimenez. As a result, the Ramona Gardens community rose up in angry protests. Several other Chicanos have been killed in recent years in the Ramona Gardens Housing Projects of Boyle Heights, including Maurico Cornejo, who was killed by Officer Matthew Meneses. Other well-known cases are those of David Angel Ortiz, a teen shot in the back by a Los Angeles County sheriff; David Dominquez, who was brutally kidnapped and killed by the San Gabriel police; and Manuel Jamines, a Guatemalan Mayan day laborer shot in the head Sept. 5, 2010 by LAPD in the Pico Union community. Jamines’s murder sparked a rebellion and mass protests.

Besides these murders, on May 1, 2007, the LAPD attacked a peaceful festival for immigrant rights.

#BoyleHeightsCA #OppressedNationalities #PoliceBrutality #ChicanoLatino #CentroCSO #Antiracism #JoseMendez