Santa Ana, CA – El miércoles 23 de septiembre, se escuchaban consignas como “¡Kingsley, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” en la calle Sullivan.Rain Mendoza, de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), inició la manifestación declarando: “Estamos aquí hoy debido a los años de acoso a los que Kingsley Management Corporation ha sometido a los residentes de Coach Royal, en su mayoría inmigrantes de clase trabajadora”.

Unas 35 personas, entre ellas residentes del parque de casas móviles Coach Royal y miembros de la comunidad, se manifestaron frente al parque para exigir que se detenga el retiro de cercas, que se permita a los residentes conservar sus sistemas de aire acondicionado y que se mantengan las dimensiones originales de los lotes. Kingsley utiliza estas supuestas infracciones y cambios a las reglas para iniciar el proceso de robarles la vivienda a los residentes.

Teresa Osorio, residente del parque, habló sobre su experiencia reciente. “Olivia García [la administradora del parque] vino a mi casa a decirme que quitara mi cerca cuando apenas el año pasado ella misma me dijo que la reparara.”

Irene Rodríguez de Guzmán habló sobre sus interacciones con García: “Ella me está diciendo que quite mis cercas, lo cual contradice el hecho de que ella me dijo que las instalara porque tenía problemas con los vecinos. Ella me dijo dónde debía ponerla y vino a inspeccionarla después de que se instaló y dijo que se veía bien. Me sacrifiqué para pagar esa cerca, ¿cómo la voy a quitar?”

Karla Alvarado habló sobre las tácticas de intimidación y el despojo de viviendas por parte de Kingsley: “Yo fui una de las personas que ayudó a muchos de los residentes a obtener sus títulos de propiedad, y después de eso sufrimos represalias por parte de Kingsley Corporation.”

Alvarado añadió, “Me ofrecieron quedarme como inquilina siempre y cuando renunciara a mis derechos y no volviera a ayudar a nadie de la comunidad. Obviamente rechacé eso y terminé siendo expulsada de mi casa. Mi casa fue retirada de aquí y vendida ilegalmente en una subasta privada, violando todas las leyes, ya que nunca me informaron que la subasta iba a tomar lugar.”

Gabriela Mendoza tuvo una experiencia similar. “Mi abogada confirmó que mi casa fue vendida. Le dije que yo hasta ahora no he recibido ni un dólar. Y no se me hace justo que mi casa nueva que yo trabajé tantos años, ellos robaron mi propiedad. Esto es una injusticia.”

Al señalar más prácticas ilegales, Rain Mendoza añadió, “Kingsley está iniciando el proceso para modificar el tamaño de los terrenos asignados a todos los residentes. Si los residentes no cumplen, se enfrentan a graves consecuencias económicas. Obligar a estos residentes a realizar estos cambios e imponerles consecuencias es ilegal”.

Durante la manifestación, los residentes señalaron los carteles de “se vende” que rodeaban a los manifestantes, indicando que esas casas habían sido robadas de sus dueños. Los transeúntes se detenían al pasar para escuchar los testimonios de los residentes.

Los manifestantes coreaban, “¡No más acoso! ¡No más temor! ¡Los inmigrantes tenemos valor!”.

“Nos están obligando a quitar los aires acondicionados. Es una cosa horrible. Ustedes saben que recientemente estuvimos viviendo un calor insoportable. Si no hubiera sido por nuestro aire acondicionado hubiera habido tragedias aquí en Coach Royal.”, declaró Guadalupe Barragán, residente desde hace 38 años.

Teresa Carrera, otra exresidente, describió el impacto físico y psicológico de las acciones de Kingsley. “Realmente, todo lo que hemos pasado ha sido un abuso traumático. Hemos ido a psicólogos. Hemos tenido noches sin dormir. Me enfermé hasta el grado de que no comí por uno o dos meses. Solo tomaba agua y bajé casi como 25 libras. Tanto estrés, tanto insomnio, tanto pensar por qué esta gente es tan injusta.”

Los manifestantes coreaban, “¡Vivir con miedo no es normal! ¡Queremos justicia en Coach Royal!”

Luis Pedraza Morales Babylon, un exresidente a quien le robaron su casa habló en nombre de CSO OC. “La Organización de Servicio Comunitario respalda firmemente a los residentes de Coach Royal. La CSO está en primera línea de lucha, organizando protestas en la entrada del parque, llenando las salas de audiencias, exigiendo justicia ante los desalojos injustos y sacando a la luz las tácticas engañosas de la administración. Luchan para garantizar que las familias trabajadoras y los inmigrantes no sean expulsados mediante intimidación, barreras lingüísticas o desplazamientos forzosos.”

Si le interesa unirse a CSO OC en esta campaña, puede contactarlos a través del correo electrónico orangecountycso@gmail.com o en Instagram en @CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #PeoplesStruggles #Housing #TrailerPark #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – El 12 de septiembre, la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC) y miembros de la comunidad pusieron una mesa de información frente al conocido restaurante salvadoreño El Salvador Café para distribuir recursos e información cruciales en respuesta al más reciente ataque de Trump que amenaza con poner fin al Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para los inmigrantes salvadoreños.

Los miembros de CSO OC entregaron paquetes informativos primero a los trabajadores del restaurante salvadoreño y luego se dirigieron a los negocios vecinos de propietarios mexicanos y centroamericanos. Conversaron con trabajadores y miembros de la comunidad sobre el último ataque de Trump contra la comunidad inmigrante salvadoreña y sus políticas anteriores, como un paquete de gastos de $170 mil millones para la aplicación de leyes migratorias, la suspensión y revocación de visas para personas de 75 países, entre otras medidas.

CSO OC organizó este evento informativo como respuesta a la semana de acción de la red Legalización Para Todos (L4A) para detener la agenda de Trump, y en solidaridad con la marcha de la coalición Dallas Against Trump durante la Convención Republicana de Mitad de Mandato (RNC). El periodo del 9 al 13 de septiembre estuvo marcado por ataques como la fecha de vencimiento del TPS para salvadoreños el 9 de septiembre, la promesa de Trump de revocar 200,000 visas y la celebración de la RNC de mitad de mandato los días 9 y 10 de septiembre.

El día en que se suponía que vencería el TPS salvadoreño, ICE envió un anuncio declarando que una decisión sobre el estatus del TPS para los salvadoreños se tomará en el momento apropiado. Aunque técnicamente el TPS no expiró, esta situación deja en el limbo a los 170,000 salvadoreños beneficiarios de dicho programa.

CSO OC continuará realizando sus caminatas por los barrios, en los que distribuye información y recursos importantes sobre ICE y los ataques de Trump contra los inmigrantes.

Si te interesa participar en una acción o reunión de CSO OC, puedes contactarlos en orangecountycso@gmail.com o en Instagram en CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #ImmigrantRights #TPS #ElSalvador #CSOOC

Los Angeles, CA – On Sunday, September 20, a group of 30 rank-and-file members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) union met at Magic Johnson Park in South LA. The Teamsters work for Republic Services and met to discuss strike preparedness for their upcoming contract expiration.

On September 30, the union contracts of roughly 3000 Teamsters Local 396 sanitation employees across different companies and yards will expire. These Teamsters haul waste across a large geography of cities in LA County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Over the past year, the workers have participated in organizing boot camps to give people the training to organize and prepare to strike; shop floor Teamster Thursday union huddles to build unity at work; and Sunday morning meetings at the park to prepare for contract negotiations and the possibility of going on strike. At this last Sunday park meeting, the rank and file discussed the importance of remaining united and in solidarity.

Shop steward and negotiation committee member Marcus Ford stated, “I thought the meeting went well and I’m feeling good about where we at. The rank-and-file members are solid and are ready to keep pushing forward and fighting for change!”

Members were angered after finding out the company intentionally allowed two weeks to go by with no negotiation sessions scheduled. Instead, they chose the final few days before the old contract expires, with much of the new contract still not negotiated. Rank-and-file member Sammy Carrera said, “We understand very well that the company is hoping to use this as a tactic and strategy against us. They hope to pressure us into the first offer thrown at us, but they are very mistaken. The members are activated and ready to mobilize. If the company doesn’t pay up, the trash will pile up!”

In July 2025, over 400 Teamsters at Republic Services in Boston were on strike for 82 days. Trash piled up all around Boston for nearly three months until the company finally gave in to the workers’ demands, including a 46% pay increase over the five-year contract. There has been lots of talk about how the company, in the case of a strike, has already begun making preparations for bringing in the Blue Crew. The Blue Crew is a group of Republic Services’ professional scabs who are ready to fly around the country to act as strikebreakers. They are brought in from out of town or sometimes out of state. 

The members have been very clear with the company regarding an expired contract; no contract extension will be given, and members will only continue to work beyond the contract expiration date if negotiations continue in good faith. As of now, it is not looking too promising.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #Teamsters #Labor #Teamsters396 #RepublicServices #Strike #Featured

Oakland, CA – On Tuesday, September 22, around 30 community members rallied in front of the attorney general’s offices to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Jalani Lovett, who died in LA Men’s Central Jail.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Lovett was arrested in 2019 and died in 2021, under highly suspicious circumstances, after being held in solitary confinement at the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail. He was under custody of the LA Sheriff’s Department, which has been linked to the deaths of many other inmates. Though his body showed signs of severe physical trauma, LASD labeled his death as a drug overdose, despite him having no access to drugs while in solitary confinement.

In the beginning of this month, the Department of Justice launched a probe into the jail to investigate its concerning conditions and inmate deaths. 29 have died in custody so far this year.

Terry Lovett, Jalani’s mother, has been fighting for a proper investigation into her son’s death for five years. She has repeatedly reached out to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, asking him to take action, since the LASD refuses to investigate itself.

“This is a fight that I’m not gonna ever stop, cuz I'm not gonna ever get Jalani back. Too many birthdays is gonna pass and he’s not gonna be sitting there. Too many Thanksgivings are gonna pass and he’s not gonna be coming in the door, going in my pots, ‘Mom what you cooking?’” stated Terry Lovett. Despite his campaign promises to step up investigation of in-custody deaths, Rob Bonta has refused to take any action on Jalani Lovett’s case.

Barbara Doss, mother of the late Dujuan Armstrong, also spoke at the rally, saying, “We went to Sacramento to get some things done, and he made all kinds of promises. I done rode up in this office several times, he done made offers, ‘He’s gonna do this, he’s gonna do that’ for the families.’ Rob Banta is a liar.”

Dujuan Armstrong was killed in custody at Santa Rita jail as officers attempted to restrain him during a mental health crisis, in what was supposed to be a weekend stay. Doss added that officials also tried to point the finger at drug use as a contributing factor to Armstrong’s death, saying, “They said he died from an overdose, apparently all our children are dying of overdoses.”

Romaine Charite with the Oakland Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the emcee of the rally, said, “The sheriffs harbor racist syndicates who perform initiation rituals of torture and murder of Black and Latino men and brand themselves with tattoos to identify themselves. When the FBI tried to investigate this in 2011, the sheriffs kidnapped the discovered informant for 18 days. These sheriff gangs must be destroyed and the jail closed through civilian power over the police, not county special interests.”

Terry Lovett is supported by a coalition of police-accountability organizations, families impacted by police violence, and concerned community members that support her, organizing to protest Rob Bonta’s lack of action. The rally was supported by Kathryn Wade, the mother of Malad Baldwin; Addie Kitchen, grandmother of Steven Taylor; Cat Brooks, the founder of the Anti-Police Terror Project, and Emily Turnbull, a retired ILWU Local 10 member.

#OaklandCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #Jail #OAARPR #NAARPR

Santa Ana, CA – On Wednesday, September 23, chants of “Kingsley escucha, estamos en la lucha!” could be heard on Sullivan Street.

Rain Mendoza with Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) kicked off a rally, stating, “We are here today because of the years of harassment the majority working-class immigrant residents of Coach Royal have been subjected to under Kingsley Management Corporation.”

35 people, including residents of Coach Royal Mobile Home Park and community members, rallied in front of the park to demand a stopping of all fence removals, allowing residents to keep their air conditioning, and maintaining all allotted property sizes. Kingsley uses these bogus violations and changes to the rules to begin the process of stealing homes from the residents.

Teresa Osorio, a resident of the park, spoke about her recent experience. “Olivia Garcia [park manager] came to my house to tell me to remove my fence when just a year before she herself told me to repair it.”

Irene Rodriguez de Guzman spoke about her interactions with Garcia, “She is telling me to remove my fences, which contradicts the fact that she told me to install them because I had issues with the neighbors. She told me where I should put it and came to inspect it after it was installed and she said it looked good. I sacrificed to pay for that fence, how am I going to remove it?”

Karla Alvarado spoke about Kingsley’s intimidation tactics and home theft, “I was one of the people that helped a lot of the residents obtain their titles and after that we were retaliated against by Kingsley Corporation.”

Alvarado added, “I was offered to stay as a tenant as long as I waive my rights and never helped anyone in the community. I obviously refused that, and I was eventually kicked out of my house. My house was taken out of here and sold illegally in a private auction, violating all the laws, because I was never informed of the auction taking place.”

Gabriela Mendoza had a similar experience. “My lawyer confirmed that my house was sold. I told her that to this day I haven't received a single dollar. And I don't think it's fair that my new house that I worked hard for years, they stole my property. This is an injustice.”

Pointing out more illegal practices, Rain Mendoza added, “Kingsley is starting the process of having all residents allotted property sizes changed. If residents don’t comply, they are hit with severe financial consequences. To force these residents to make these changes and enforce consequences is illegal.”

During the rally, residents pointed to for-sale signs surrounding the protesters and that those homes are ones that have been stolen. As people walked by the rally, they stopped to listen to the testimonies of the residents.

Protesters chanted, “No mas acoso! No mas temor! Los inmigrantes tenemos valor!” which translates to “No more harassment! No more fear! Immigrants have bravery!”

“They are forcing us to remove our air conditioners. This is a horrible thing. You know, recently we were living in an insufferable heat. If it hadn't been for our air conditioning, there would have been tragedies here at Coach Royal,” testified Guadalupe Barragan, a resident of 38 years.

Teresa Carrera, another former resident, described the physical and psychological impact of Kingsley’s actions. “In reality, everything we have been through has been a traumatic abuse. We've been to psychologists. We've had sleepless nights. I got sick to the point that I didn't eat for a month or two. I only drank water and I lost almost 25 pounds. So much stress, so much insomnia, so much thinking about why these people are so unjust.”

Protesters chanted, “Vivir con miedo no es normal! Queremos justicia en Coach Royal!” or, “Living in fear isn’t normal! We want justice at Coach Royal!”

Luis Pedraza Morales Babylon, a former resident whose home was stolen, spoke on behalf of CSO OC. “The Community Service Organization stands firmly with the residents of Coach Royal. CSO is on the front lines fighting back, organizing protests at the park entrance, packing hearing rooms, demanding justice for unjust evictions, and shining a harsh light on management's deceptive tactics. They are fighting to ensure that working-class families and immigrants aren't pushed out through intimidation, language barriers, or forced displacement.”

If you are interested in joining CSO OC in this campaign, you can contact them at orangecountycso@gmail.com or on Instagram at @CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #PeoplesStruggles #Housing #CoachRoyal #KingsleyCorporation #OppressedNationalities #CSOOC

San Francisco, CA – On 21 September, crowds descended upon the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco to condemn human rights violations by the Marcos regimes of both 1965 and today. Throughout the rally, the People’s Choir sang songs written during periods of US-led violence in the Philippines, including Tamisan sa Sining’s “Dakilang Pakikibaka” and José Alejandrino’s “Bayan Ko”.

Alex Marquez from the League of Filipino Students – SF State told the crowd, “54 years ago today, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared martial law and plunged the Philippines into 14 bloody years of state violence, until it was put into an end by the People Power Revolution in 1986, when the masses came together to exile this brutal dictator like a stallion kicks off a fly!” shouted Marquez.

Struck by fears of communist led insurgency, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. secretly wrote Martial Law into effect on September 21 before publicly confessing to the decree’s existence on September 23, sending orders to kill organizers and resistance fighters on a whim.

Rob Salazar from Malaya San Francisco spoke on the legacies of bureaucrat capitalism in the Philippines that were left by Marcos Sr., whose son governs the country today.

Salazar stated, “Government funding that should be used to create better city infrastructure is being used to create ghost flood control projects while students cannot return to school because of the flooding,” he said. “This represents the next generation of thievery that our people have to deal with, and we must not allow this to continue!”

Damian Clark from LFS Berkeley gave a reportback from an international trip to the Philippines led by the Defend Negros NorCal Coalition and ICHRP. “During our trip, we visited the US-led Pax Silica within the Clark Economic Zone, which is being built to meet the US’s needs in their war against the People’s Republic of China,” Clark said. “And despite increasing militarization and repression, it is being met by the People’s Resistance at every turn.”

Clark continued, “As Filipino students, we must refuse to let our skills be used for projects like Pax Silica, and confront the Philippine state to prevent it from selling out our people.”

Paulo Ramos from BAYAN NorCal closed the rally with a personal account of Martial Law from his family, “Growing up, my father would always tell me stories about martial law, and how he and his friends had to run home in fear of the military curfew and the bodies he saw floating in the canal. The brutality of martial law in 1972 is still the reality of today in Duterte’s War on Drugs and the Negros 19 killings by the 79th Infantry Battallion of the AFP.”

Ramos continued, “History has taught us that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the light comes steadily in,” he stated. “The revolutionary movement of patriotic and freedom-loving Filipinos has only grown since martial law. Let us learn the lessons of history and continue the legacy of our brave martyrs by fighting for national democracy and sovereignty in the Philippines.”

#SanFranciscoCA #CA #International #Philippines #BAYAN #Marcos

San Jose, CA – On the evening of Thursday, September 17, over 40 people gathered in the streets of downtown San Jose to demand an end to the war of aggression against Iran.

Chants like, “Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!” and “Trump wants war, Trump wants oil, hands of Iranian soil!” could be heard echoing through the streets of downtown and around city hall.

Emer Martin of Vigil for Gaza spoke to the crowd, “We support Iran, from the heart of the corporate tech military empire, because we know what it has in store for us too. They have shown us what they’ve done to Gaza they will do to anyone who gets in the way of a capitalist project.”

Martin went on to say, “All the workers of the world should get on board with Iran now and reject the years of propaganda!”

Panda Shim from Students for a Democratic Society at San Jose State University said, “We want an end to sending young Americans to die for absolutely nothing. And until the U.S. gets their hands off the Middle East, until there is justice, there shall be no peace in the streets!”

Akubundu Amazu of the All African People’s Revolutionary Party said, “Iran knows their friends and they know their enemy. This is why they stand with Palestine, Hezbollah and Yemen against the U.S. and Israel. We must all stand together on the right side of history because that is the only way we are going to win,” said Amazu.

Jack McCann, member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, addressed the crowd, “Gas and diesel prices are reaching record highs. It is estimated that this war has cost on average one billion dollars a day”

McCann continued, “Our government, in its conscious choice to prioritize bombs over babies, jails over jobs, has forfeited its right to exist. It is our job, the people of the United States, to unite all who can be united to overthrow the monopoly capitalist class. To bring an end to endless wars, we must bring an end to the system of capitalism.”

Philip Nguyen of San Jose Against War highlighted the organization’s divestment campaign targeting the city of San Jose, saying, “We are calling out the four city council members that voted to keep money invested in companies complicit in Israel’s genocide and ICE terror.”

Nguyen continued, “We will be continuing to escalate and will keep fighting until we win divestment – and we deal a material blow to the U.S. war machine and Israel!”

The crowd took to the streets and marched along a populated pedestrian path to supportive bystanders and car honks.

#SanJoseCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Iran #Palestine

Santa Ana, CA – El 21 de agosto, miembros de la Organización de Servicio del Condado de Orange (CSO OC) se unieron a familias cuyos seres queridos fueron asesinados por la policía para exigir justicia para Victor Lopez. 16 personas marcharon desde El Centro Cultural de México portando pancartas que exigían: “Justicia para Victor Lopez” y “Publiquen todas las grabaciones sin editar”. Mientras los manifestantes pasaban junto a un partido de fútbol, ahogaron el himno nacional de Estados Unidos con gritos de: “¿Qué queremos? ¡Justicia! ¿Y cuándo la queremos? ¡Ahora!”.

Al llegar frente al Departamento de Policía, Emily López, hermana de Víctor López, dijo: “Lo mataron en el estacionamiento de su casa. Le dispararon tres veces frente a su hijo de un año y a su pareja. Ambos vieron a mi hermano morir y dar su último suspiro. Estamos aquí hoy para exigir las grabaciones sin editar y el nombre del oficial, y queremos que se rindan cuentas. Queremos evitar que esto le suceda a otra familia.”

A principios de este año, el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana publicó un llamado “informe para la comunidad” que incluía grabaciones parciales de la cámara corporal del agente que mató a Víctor López. La policía ha afirmado que Victor intentaba alcanzar un arma que fue recuperada en el lugar, pero eso no se ve en las grabaciones. En cambio, lo que se ve es cómo el agente apunta inmediatamente su arma hacia López, quien se acercó al agente con las manos arriba antes de darse la vuelta para acostarse en el suelo. Segundos después, el agente alegó que López estaba intentando alcanzar un arma y le disparó hasta matarlo.

El público tiene derecho a ser escéptico ante estas afirmaciones, ya que el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana tiene antecedentes de mentir para justificar su brutalidad y sus asesinatos. Por ejemplo, en 2024, los agentes Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra mintieron diciendo que Noe Rodriguez estaba agitando y apuntando una escopeta hacia ellos para justificar haber disparado casi 30 balas contra un hombre desarmado que sostenía un juguete.

Emily Lopez continuó: “Mi hermano era un joven de 18 años que se esforzaba por mejorar la vida de su familia. Era un trabajador incansable que siempre ayudaba a los demás y ponía a los demás antes que a sí mismo. Era un joven divertido, extrovertido y cariñoso al que le encantaba hacer reír a los demás y siempre se aseguraba de que quienes le rodeaban estuvieran bien. Mi hermano no merecía morir de la manera en que murió. ¡Exijo justicia para mi hermano, Victor Lopez!”

Los manifestantes coreaban: “¡Exigimos justicia! ¡Exigimos respuestas! ¡Una placa no es una licencia para matar!”.

A continuación habló Pearl Arzola, hermana de Albert Arzola, un joven chicano de 19 años: “Perdí a mi hermano un mes antes de que Victor Lopez falleciera, así que cuando me enteré de su trágica muerte, me tocó muy de cerca. No es justo que estemos de luto. Tampoco es justo que la familia Lopez esté de luto. ¡Siento que estos policías deben rendir cuentas y ver por lo que estamos pasando y que los metan a la cárcel!”.

Albert Arzola fue asesinado por el agente Nathan García, del Departamento de Policía de Anaheim. Quedó documentado que García acosó a Arzola desde una patrulla semanas antes del 6 de diciembre, cuando persiguió a Arzola hacia su casa y le disparó en la espalda y el cuello. García también estuvo involucrado en el brutal arresto de un joven chicano desarmado de 14 años en 2024.

Mientras los manifestantes exigían justicia cerca de la entrada del departamento, dos agentes en un vehículo de la Unidad de Pandillas (la unidad número 920) redujeron la velocidad para burlarse de sus consignas, dejando al descubierto la crueldad de la policía. Los manifestantes siguieron el vehículo con carteles y pancartas, gritándoles a los oficiales hasta que se alejaron.

David Pulido, miembro de CSO, habló en último lugar y dijo: “¡Esto es un patrón de violencia racista! Este año vimos cómo la policía arrebataba la vida a chicanos adolescentes. Vimos el asesinato de Jaden Michaca, de 15 años, mientras sufría una crisis de salud mental. Vimos el asesinato de Victor Lopez, un joven padre de 18 años. ¡Tenemos trabajo por hacer! Debemos organizarnos. Somos nosotros quienes debemos llevar a estos agentes ante la justicia. Por eso luchamos por el control comunitario de la policía. Tenemos el derecho democrático fundamental de decidir sobre todos los asuntos policiales”.

Si te interesa luchar contra los crímenes policiales y trabajar junto a familias afectadas por la violencia policial, comunícate con CSO OC a través de Instagram, Facebook o enviando un correo electrónico a orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #VictorLopez #AlbertArzola #OppressedNationalities #Chicano

Los Angeles, CA – On September 15, over 50 residents of Los Angeles attended a board of supervisors meeting to demand the BOS take action to ban deputy gangs in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. African American and Chicano families impacted by deputy gangs mobilized to speak in favor of the motion.

Supervisor Holly J. Mitchel of District 2 authored the motion that attempted to hold the Los Angeles County Sheriffs accountable for their deputy gang problem. The motion called for “Identifying Deputy Gangs within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to Ensure Accountability and Risk Mitigation.” The motion would require the sheriff’s department to create a comprehensive framework for identifying and naming deputy gangs.

Impacted families, Centro CSO and Justice LA organized for weeks prior to pressure the LA Board of Supervisors to approve this motion that included language that bans racist deputy gang logos, such as the Fort Apache logo at the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Before the hearing, Justice LA organized a press conference where impacted family members spoke out about the abuse and deaths caused by deputy gang members in LA County’s Men’s Central Jail and on the streets by LA County Sheriffs.

Before public comments were heard, Sheriff Robert Luna spoke for over an hour against this motion, and so greatly limited the time the people were given. Over 50 people, largely African American and Chicano, spoke unanimously in favor of the motion.

In the end, the board of supervisors, except for Supervisor Mitchell, voted to bifurcate the motion and postpone a vote on it for a period of 45 days. This is a clear attempt by the board to shield Sheriff Luna against bad publicity.

Cindy Nunez, sister of Francisco Nunez, stated, “Today was deeply disappointing. After asking our county leaders to confront the issue of deputy gangs, I watched the board bifurcate Mitchell’s motion and push this conversation beyond next month’s [sheriff’s] election. For families like mine, this is not a political talking point or an agenda item that can simply be moved down the calendar. We are real families living with the consequences of what happens when accountability is delayed.”

Vanessa Perez, mother of Joseph Perez, stated, “It says a lot when a supervisor can recognize deputy gangs and not just us community members. It’s too bad that the other supervisors wanted to delay it but you know it’s a little rock in the path, you know. It’s an ulterior motive for the election.

Janet Asante, with Dignity & Power Now, said, “This motion wasn’t even that radical. All it asks is that the sheriff department identify deputy gangs within its ranks, not even its members. The fact is that the board would rather wait and strategically push it to after the election. They are playing political games, and meanwhile people are dying.”

This decision by the LA Board of Supervisors shows that the power should not be in the hands of the politicians, it should be in the hands of the people in the form of community control of police, which is a demand Centro CSO upholds. If you want to stay up to date with Centro CSO’s fight for police accountability, follow them on socials @CentroCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CentroCSO

Gilroy, CA – On September 13, around 75 community members rallied together at San Ysidro Park for a victory rally and march to celebrate the court-ordered pause on construction of the nearby ICE facility.

Community Service Organization San José (CSO San José) called the action in collaboration with the San José Coalition Against Trump (SJCAT) after the Santa Clara County Court ruled in favor of a preliminary injunction, pausing the construction of the ICE detention center being built in Gilroy.

The rally was kicked off by chants led by Pan Garcia of CSO San José, later transitioning into a march from San Ysidro Park to the location where the ICE detention center was being built.The energy remained high throughout the march as chants reflecting community members' demands such as “ICE out of Gilroy,” “Chinga la migra” and “Se ve, se siente – el pueblo está presente!”

Once the march arrived at the ICE construction site, the crowd gathered for the program. Ariya Amin with CSO San José stated, “This is a win for us, and this is a small step that we are proud to see in the fight to stop this detention center.”

Amin continued, “This means that construction will need to be at a halt until the court case is complete, and it is hopeful.” Amin went on to explain that Santa Clara County and the attorney general's office had five legal allegations prepared in response to the federal government's initiative to carry out the unlawful construction of the ICE detention center in Gilroy. Out of the five allegations, just one was enough to call for a temporary injunction.

Lyla Salinas, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), stated, “They paused the construction of the detention center; this is a win for the immigrant rights movement here in Gilroy, in San José and nationally!”

Salinas continued, “We have shown that every time we face injustice, that we face oppression as immigrants and Chicanos, that we need to fight back! And when we fight back, we win!”

“It’s not just this, it’s also attacks against students, against workers, every single one of the people’s movements is being attacked by the Trump administration today,” continued Salinas. “Every punch, every fight, everything that is thrown at our people, we have to fight back in force. We have to fight back and show them that we as people have the power!”

After the program ended, people marched back to San Ysidro, chanting in good spirits as they celebrated this people's victory, won through struggle.

#GilroyCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #DetentionCenter #OppressedNationalities #BayArea

Santa Ana, CA – On September 12, Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) and community members tabled in front of the well-known Salvadoran restaurant, El Salvador Café, to hand out crucial resources and information in response to Trump’s latest attack threatening to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadoran immigrants.

CSO OC members handed out packets first to the Salvadoran restaurant workers and then branched out to the neighboring Mexican and Central American shops. Members spoke with workers and community members about Trump’s latest attack on the Salvadoran immigrant community and his previous policies, such as a $170 billion immigration enforcement spending package, suspensions and revocations of visas for individuals from 75 countries, and more.

CSO OC mobilized this tabling action as a response to the Legalization 4 All Network’s (L4A) week of action to Stop Trump’s Agenda and in solidarity with the Dallas Against Trump Coalition’s March on the Republican Midterm Convention (RNC). September 9-13 posed attacks such as Salvadoran TPS being set to expire on September 9, Trump’s vow to revoke 200,000 visas, and the Midterm RNC on September 9 and 10.

On the day Salvadoran TPS was set to expire, ICE sent out an announcement stating that a decision on the status of TPS for Salvadorans will be made at an appropriate time. Although TPS did not technically expire, this leaves the 170,000 Salvadoran TPS recipients in limbo.

CSO OC will continue to do their Barrio Walks in which they hand out important information and resources regarding ICE and Trump’s attacks on immigrants.

If you are interested in joining a CSO OC action or meeting, you can contact them at orangecountycso@gmail.com or on Instagram at CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #Salvadorans #TPS #CSO #CSOOC #L4A

Los Angeles, CA – At a busy corner in the Chicano neighborhood of Boyle Heights, dozens of activists and supporters rallied for Salvadoran Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This comes as part of a call to action, made by Legalization for All network, a national network of more than 25 grassroots organizations.

On 4th Street and Soto Street today, the scorching sun did little to dissuade the group of participants. Holding a Salvadoran flag, posters that demanded, “ICE out now!” and “Defend TPS,” the crowd chanted, “¡TPS! ¡Se lo merecen!” Which translates to “TPS, they deserve it!”

Beña Martinez, a member of Veterans for Peace and Centro CSO, stated, “Were here to defend TPS for El Salvadorans, and tomorrow it might be for another country, There are military recruiters that prey on 17 or 18-year-olds who are still making their way through life, who are trying to survive with their families here, if they are undocumented they will get false promises of citizenship to join an army that will go on to invade another country”

TPS for Salvadorans began in March of 2001, when then-president George W Bush signed it. He did so after two catastrophic earthquakes destroyed El Salvador. Since then, more than 250,000 have lived without fear of deportation, nor the need to reapply for their TPS. The majority of Salvadoran TPS holders live in Los Angeles; the second-highest concentration is in Texas.

The Trump administration contended with another TPS earlier this year, and this one was for Haitians. When it was announced on July 27 that TPS for Haitians was revoked, over 350,000 had their lives ruined.

One young TPS holder, Pierre De Demás from Springfield, Ohio took his own life. This happened on August 31, after he was bullied for wearing an ankle monitor ICE affixed him with after TPS ended. His blood is on the administration’s hands.

Marisol Márquez of the Legalization 4 All Network told the crowd, “We want to push for legalization for all, because the current rulers in power have the power to grant it immediately for all of the undocumented people; they just don't feel like it. This demand would protect the undocumented from being deported and they would be able to work legally and not be under threat and terror from ICE.”

Plans for Centro CSO are to continue informing the community about TPS’ status. While it expired on September 9, no decision from Trump means that it automatically gets extended for an additional six months. However, as was done with Haitian TPS, Trump threatens our people every day.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #TPS #ElSalvador #Legaliation4All

This was in response to Canada’s retaliation to Trump’s original tariffs on Monday, September 7, of 15% to 50% on $20 billion of U.S. products, designed to match Trump’s initial tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods. In addition, Trump announced that U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made cars and car parts would go to 50% come January 1, 2027.

While the tariffs only cover a small share of Canada-United States trade, about 5%, this pattern of escalation could threaten trade with the United States’ second-largest trading partner after Mexico. But Trump’s verbal attacks and insults, such as that Canada should be the 51st state of the United States, and renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America”, has meant that almost three quarters of Canadians back their government’s resistance to U.S. demands. In contrast, only about 25% of Americans think that Trump should stick to being tough on Canada.

These new tariffs, and the price increases that they cause, are part of the growing unhappiness of Americans with their economic situation. The University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment index for early September, released on September 11, fell to 47.8 from 51.7 in August. This was lower than any economists had predicted.

#SanJoseCA #CA #Economy #CapitalismAndEconomy #Canada #TradeWar #Trump

San Jose, CA – On September 10, over 50 students, faculty and other campus workers rallied for labor rights on San Jose State University campus. Organized by the recently formed San José State Labor Coalition, the action sought to build solidarity with regards to core issues facing laborers such as low wages and hazardous working conditions.

United Auto Workers 4123-SJSU Head Steward Alex O’Neill told the crowd, “Somehow, there always seems to be enough money for wages and compensation at the top, but not enough for workers’ basic needs.”

California Faculty Association representative Michael Tal remarked on cases of union-busting from SJSU admin, “This semester, we had an issue with FAFSA [federal student aid applications] where multiple students had to drop out because they could not pay, while the chancellor racks in checks,” Tal said. “Our bargaining team is using port-a-potties to speak to management, which indicates a leadership that views us as less than equal.”

Teamsters Local 2010 Steward Vince Carrillo stated, “The CSU failed to follow their side of the contract and now we’re currently without one. It’s been three years.”

“When the president needs something done, they call us and we have to stop what we’re doing,” Carrillo continued. “We’ve got to keep up the fight because they expect more and more from us, and we’ve got to stick it out until we make it out on the other side better.”

Guadalupe Pallais of the CSU Employees Union (CSUEU) stated, “In 2022, I found myself in a difficult situation involving an assistant director. At CSUEU-SJSU, I was assured my rights and the value of being unionized.”

Pallais continued, “I share my story because I want others to know that unions work for their members, and they genuinely care about what we experience in the workplace.”

Lorena Segovia of Academic Professionals of California gave a fiery speech calling out CSU. “We are still in negotiations for the last fiscal year, and they are offering lowball offers while the SJSU president makes $546,000 a year. How the fuck can you make that much money, knowing that the staff who make that profit are struggling to survive? That shows that they are not here to support students, but to create a corporate structure where those at the top are making the most money, while everyone at the bottom is struggling,” Segovia said.

“We keep getting asked to do more with less, and we are expected to support our students. We deserve fair wages and fair working conditions!” Segovia continued. “We demand that the CSU recognizes the work and value we do and invest in the people that make the system work! We stand together, and we stand stronger as one.”

#SanJoseCA #CA #Labor #SJSLC

Los Angeles, CA – On Monday, September 7, Los Angeles Police Department officers shot a 44-year-old Chicano man named Zimran Canas in Boyle Heights. LAPD claimed Zimran was holding a tree trimming tool and walked towards the police officers. LAPD, like most police departments, is known to lie and try to villainize who they kill in an attempt to cover up their murders.

Centro CSO members mobilized to the area after the shooting in an attempt to talk to family members and neighbors. Some neighbors directly contradict the claims made by LAPD; a witness said they did not see LAPD officers offer any medical attention to Zimran Canas.

This makes it at least 21 Chicanos shot in Boyle Heights by LAPD Hollenbeck Division since 2015, with many of those shot being killed. Centro CSO has been on the ground in Boyle Heights fighting back against police killings, alongside the impacted families.

Derek Mejia, chair of Centro CSO’s Police Accountability Committee, was on the ground, “It’s important for us to be out here connecting with impacted families. We see time and time again that LAPD responds to mental health crises with excessive force, and they immediately get to work creating a narrative that works for them and not the victims or their families. We will continue to demand answers on what happened to Zimran Canas, and we will demand justice alongside the family.”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #KillerCop #Police #CentroCSO #Chicano #ZimranCanas #BoyleHeights #EastLA

San Jose, CA – On September 7, around 150 workers and their allies gathered at San Jose City Hall for a Labor Day rally and march. Organized by the San Jose May Day Coalition, the theme of the action was “Labor Fights Back,” and the program highlighted local unions that are waging ongoing campaigns and contract negotiations.

Unions represented at the protest included the Santa Clara County Association of County Educators (ACE), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 21, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Locals 2015, 1021, and 521, and the South Bay Labor Council which represents over 110 different unions.

The program was emceed by Megan Sweet, rank-and-file member of ATU 265, and Riju Krishna, president of ACE.

Jean Cohen, Executive director of the South Bay Labor Council, stated, “Right now in the South Bay, in the Bay Area, in California, billionaires are taking over. And we’re not going to let them, because the blood of the labor movement is organizing.” Cohen continued, “There’s more than enough to pay people a decent wage, to ensure that we have a seat at the table to talk about AI and the future of work.”

“Whether it’s ATU or the Teamsters or the teachers or the nurses,” Cohen continued, “our fight is righteous and our fight is going to be what makes San Jose and Silicon Valley where anybody can live.”

IFPTE Local 21 is in a union coalition with AFSCME Local 101, representing over 4500 San Jose City workers. This coalition has been bargaining with the city since February and working without a contract for over two months. Krista de la Torre of IFPTE Local 21 stated, “When the city doesn’t adequately invest in its workforce, it impacts more than just the workers, it impacts the residents, it impacts the services our entire community depends on.”

De la Torrie continued, “At the bargaining table right now we are fighting for strong AI guardrails that project jobs and ensure human oversight of public services. We’re fighting for sound retirement benefits and protections against privatization and contracting out, because public services should remain public, accountable, and affordable to all of you.”

“A few weeks ago, our coalition of 4500 city workers held a strike authorization vote, and an overwhelming 97% voted yes,” continued de la Torre. “As we continue fighting for a fair contract, we are asking for our community to stand behind us. Because our working conditions are your service conditions, and our fight to protect public jobs is a fight to protect public services.”

Riju Krishna, president of ACE, stated, “We are fighting for more than a paycheck – we are fighting for dignity, for respect, for safe workplaces, and most importantly, the right to raise our families with hope.”

Krishna continued, “When they try to divide us by our jobs, our language, our race, our immigration status, or where we come from, what do we do? We stand closer together, because an injury to one is an injury to all!”

After the program, the crowd marched through the streets of downtown San Jose, holding signs saying, “We support city workers,” “Union strong,” and “Fight for workers’ and immigrants’ rights.” As passing cars honked in solidarity, protesters chanted, “When workers are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” and “Worker power!”

As the action closed, the emcees encouraged attendees to join the San Jose May Day Coalition to get involved in organizing future labor movement protests.

#SanJoseCA #CA #Labor #LaborDay #SEIU #ATU #IFPTE #AFSCME #Teamsters

Santa Ana, CA – On August 21, members of Community Service Organization, Orange County (CSO OC) joined families whose loved ones were killed by police to demand justice for Victor Lopez. 16 people marched from El Centro Cultural de Mexico carrying signs that demanded, “Justice for Victor Lopez” and “Release all unedited footage.” As marchers passed a soccer game, they drowned out the U.S. national anthem with cries of “What do we want? Justice! And when do we want it? Now!”

Arriving in front of the police department, Emily Lopez, sister of Victor Lopez, said, “He was killed in the parking lot of his home. He was shot three times in front of his one-year-old son and partner. They both watched my brother die and take his last breath. We’re here today to demand the unedited footage, the officer’s name, and we want accountability. We want to prevent this from happening to another family.”

Earlier this year Santa Ana PD released a so-called “Community Briefing” that included partial bodycam footage of the officer who killed Victor Lopez. Police have claimed that Lopez was reaching for a gun that was recovered at the scene, but that is not visible in the footage. Instead, we can see the officer immediately drawing his gun on Lopez, who approached the officer with his hands up before turning around to lie on the ground. Seconds later the officer claimed Lopez was reaching for a gun and shot him to death.

The public has a right to be skeptical of these claims, since Santa Ana PD has a history of lying to justify their brutality and killings. For example, in 2024 officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra lied about Noe Rodriguez waving around and pointing a shotgun at them to justify shooting almost 30 bullets at an unarmed man holding a toy.

Emily Lopez continued, “My brother was an 18-year-old young man who strived to do better for his family. He was a hard worker who always helped others and put others before himself. He was a funny, outgoing, loving young man who loved making others laugh, and always made sure everyone around him was okay. My brother did not deserve to die the way he did. I demand justice for my brother, Victor Lopez!”

Protesters chanted, “We demand justice! We demand answers! A badge is not a license to kill!”

Pearl Arzola, sister of 19-year-old Chicano Albert Arzola, spoke next, “I lost my brother a month before Victor Lopez passed away, so when I heard about his tragic passing, it really hit home. It’s not fair for us to be grieving. It’s not fair for the Lopez family to be grieving as well. I feel like these cops need to get held accountable and to see what we are going through, and to put them in jail!”

Albert Arzola was killed by Anaheim PD officer Nathan Garcia. Garcia was documented harassing Arzola from a patrol car weeks before December 6, when he chased Arzola towards his home and shot him in the back and neck. Garcia also was involved in the brutal arrest of an unarmed 14-year-old Chicano in 2024.

As protesters demanded justice near the entrance of the department, two officers in a Gang Unit car – vehicle number 920 – slowed down to mock their chants, exposing the cruelty of the police. Protesters followed the vehicle with signs and banners, shouting at the officers until they drove away.

CSO OC member David Pulido spoke last, saying “This is a pattern of racist violence! We saw police steal the lives of teenage Chicanos this year. We saw the killing of 15-year-old Jaden Michaca while he was suffering a mental health crisis. We saw the killing of Victor Lopez, a young, 18-year-old father. We have work to do! We have to get organized, and we are the ones responsible for bringing these officers to justice. That is why we fight for community control of the police. We have a basic, democratic right to decide on all police matters.”

If you are interested in fighting back against police crimes and working alongside families impacted by police violence, reach out to CSO OC on Instagram, Facebook, or email at orangecountycso@gmail.com

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #InjusticeSystem #KillerCop #VictorLopez #AlbertArzola #OppressedNationalities #Chicano

San Jose, CA – On September 2, San Jose State University intended to host Northrop Grumman at the Fall ‘26 Business, Financial Services, and Logistics Job and Internship fair. Northrop Grumman, a weapons manufacturer which maintains $3 billion in contracts with the Defense Department, is a target for Students for a Democratic Society’s (SDS) ongoing campaign demanding SJSU cut ties with war profiteers.

In response to Northrop Grumman’s invitation to the campus career fair, SDS at SJSU organized a mail-in and rally calling for the career center and university administration to deplatform war profiteers like Northrop Grumman. The mail-in was a tactic employed by students to flood the inboxes of university administrators leading up to the day of the career fair, and it proved to be an effective one.

On the day of the career fair, as student protesters gathered outside the SJSU Student Union, SDS received notice that Northrop Grumman had completely withdrawn from the career fair. This withdrawal follows a similar incident last semester at SJSU, in which student protesters forced Lockheed Martin to withdraw from a campus informational session.

Despite Northrop Grumman's withdrawal, the students continued with their rally outside the career fair to call out the school administration’s ongoing collaboration with war profiteers, echoing chants such as “When Northrop does the killing, admin makes a killing!”

Panda Shim from SDS stated, “Whether it’s Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman, we will not allow these defense organizations who actively supply weapons to commit genocide overseas and terrorize our immigrant communities onto our campus!”

“SJSU has invited Northrop Grumman to this career fair despite the students making it clear, time and time again, that we will not ever accept war profiteers to do business on our campus. Northrop Grumman is the sixth-largest weapons manufacturer on the planet and has been supplying the U.S. and Israeli air forces with missile delivery systems and laser weaponry for their fighter jets and attack helicopters. Shame!” said Mateo Rodriguez-Deal from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Sharat Lin from San Jose Against War provided words of support, “As you build the anti-war student movement here on campus, know that the people of San Jose support your struggle and are building the anti-war, pro-Palestine movement!”

“Our voices matter, our concerns matter, and what happens to people outside our campus matters. San Jose State should be a place where students can build their futures without having to compromise their conscience. Keep war profiteers off campus!” said Haddy Barghouti from Students for Justice in Palestine to close the rally.

While the students were able to successfully kick Northrop Grumman off campus, their fight is not over. This smaller victory was part of a larger ongoing struggle to push their campaign forward and cut ties with all war profiteers.

#SanJoseCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #WeaponsIndustry #StudentMovement #SDS #SJAW #Feature

San José, CA – On Saturday, August 29, around 200 attendees and vendors came out to commemorate the 56th Chicano Moratorium in San José.

The 56th Chicano Moratorium was held in Backesto Park, where a new mural that featured local San José activists had been put up by Alfonso Salazar, after a long fight for Chicano representation in the park. Activists say it was important to hold it at Backesto Park to continue the Chicano struggle in San José.

The Chicano Moratorium was a historic anti-war march organized by Chicanos in East Los Angeles, where 30,000 people demanded an end to Chicano enlistment in the Vietnam War due to disproportionate deaths and a stop on police brutality in the United States.

Samantha Rojas of Defensoras Patient Organizing Committee and Ana Cortez of CSO SJ kicked off the event, chanting, “Raza si, Migra no!” Cortez and Rojas highlighted the importance of the 1970 August 29th Chicano Moratorium and its influence on the Chicano movement, saying, “Chicanos were also facing oppression in many forms here at home, from police brutality to exclusion from higher education.” Cortez and Rojas spoke about the discrimination that Chicanos faced and the brutality that protesters faced from the Los Angeles Sheriffs and Police Department, resulting in the deaths of prominent Mexican-American journalist Rubén Salazar, and Brown Berets Lynn Ward and Angel Díaz.

Patricio González Roa of CSO SJ chanted, “ICE out the Bay! ICE out of Gilroy!” highlighting the federal government's plans to build a detention center in Gilroy, California. Rob Bonta, attorney general of California, sued the federal government for legal violations and improper procedures, which resulted in construction of the site being paused. Roa emphasized the connection of the Chicano movement and struggle for equal rights to the attacks of ICE against South Bay Chicano residents.

Keynote speaker Dr. Ramon J Martinez, Secretary of the La Raza Historical Society and a participant in the original 1970 Chicano Moratorium, gave an oral history of the landmark event. “On that day, thousands of Chicano said ‘I’m not supporting the military,’” Dr. Martinez stated, emphasizing the role Chicanos faced in the United States military, where enlistment was viewed as a means of escaping poverty. “As an oppressed people, the military is one of the few ways that, one, you can have a little bit of Spanish and be accepted in this culture,” Dr. Martinez explained.

“The fact is that Chicanos have always been oppressed, we have always been oppressed since 1848 when the border crossed us,” Megan Sweet of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated. Sweet continued, “We must come together, as Chicanos, as people with morals to fight against a common enemy: U.S. imperialism.”

The event was organized by the Tonatiuh Brown Berets, Mujeres de Aztlan and Community Service organization San José (CSO San José) in coalition with endorsers and with food provided by Lighthouse Food and Rescue and Distribution.

The event featured cultural performances by Folclórico Colibri, an LGBTQ Mexican folklorico dance ensemble whose mission is to preserve Mexican customs and culture. Student poets from Mission College highlighted the importance of improving resources available to Chicano and undocumented students through poetry. The event closed off with performances by Chicano artists who uplifted strong community values amongst Chicanos.

#SanJoseCA #CA #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #ChicanoMoratorium #ImmigrantRights #BrownBerets #CSOSanJose #CSO

Los Angeles, CA – On August 29, 250 community members gathered at Mariachi Plaza to commemorate the 56th Chicano Moratorium. Over 30 organizations and small businesses joined the celebration, which included a folklorico dance, rap performance, speakers and free food. Carlos Montes, longtime Chicano revolutionary, was the keynote speaker.

The Chicano Moratorium was the largest anti-war protest of Chicano people. It took to the streets of East Los Angeles in 1970. Fifty-six years later, it is now celebrated as Chicano Liberation Day.

Speaking on the demand of Chicano self-determination, Marisol Marquez of FRSO said, “We need to have a revolution in this country. Led by us. We need to take by force what is ours and use it in a way that is best for our Raza.”

“We deserve to have direct democratic control over who polices our communities and how,” said Derek Mejia, Centro CSO's Police Accountability Committee chair.

Speaking to the demand of “Legalization for all,” Verita Topete stated, “Fifty-six years later, we carry that struggle forward. Because our liberation cannot stop at the border, and our solidarity cannot stop at citizenship. If we are serious about Chicano self-determination, then we have to fight alongside the immigrant working class.”

Chaeho of NODUTDOL closed the program, saying, “As anti-imperialist Koreans, it is our duty to stand in firm solidarity with our Chicano comrades against U.S. imperialist war and aggression and for the liberation of all oppressed peoples of the world. We honor the martyrs Rubén Salazar, Lyn Ward and Angel Díaz. May our movements and all working people of the world stand together to demand an end to U.S. imperialism here and everywhere.”

Nodutdol is a Korean organization based in the U.S. and Canada, organizing against U.S. military bases, and for Korea’s reunification and national liberation.

The Chicano Moratorium was planned and organized by a united front of Chicano grass roots organizations and labor unions. For more photos and videos check out “Chicano.Moratorium” on Instagram.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #ChicanoMoratorium #CentroCSO #Feature