Los Angeles, CA – El 29 de julio, el gobierno federal proclamó que los cargos de conspiración contra el activista Chicano Alejandro Orellana fueron retirados – una victoria para el Centro CSO y todos los luchadores por libertad en el movimiento de derechos de inmigrantes peleando contra la violencia de ICE.

On July 29, the people achieved a great victory: the two bogus federal charges on Los Angeles immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana were dropped!

The Freedom Road Socialist Organization hails everyone who took up the national call to mobilize for Alex's defense and every one of his supporters. Not only did we stand with Los Angeles in the uprising against ICE raids, but we held our ground when they came for the organizers. Defending our activists and comrades is an outstanding achievement, and everyone who took part should be proud.

Los Angeles, CA – On July 29, the federal government announced the conspiracy charges against Chicano activist Alejandro Orellana were dropped – a victory for Centro CSO and all freedom fighters in the immigrant rights movement fighting against ICE terror!

On June 12, the FBI, National Guard, and the East LA Sheriff station raided Orellana’s home. They arrested Orellana, destroyed his family home, and locked him up at the Metropolitan Detention Center that has been the site of many anti-deportation protests. The Justice Department charged him with conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder, which could have resulted in up to five years in prison for Orellana.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is calling on organizations across the US to join a National Day of Action on August 7 and to demand that the charges on Alejandro Orellana be dropped. There is no crime in protesting ICE and deportations, protecting protesters, and speaking out against Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.

New Orleans, LA – On July 11, at approximately 11:50 a.m., two FBI agents knocked on the door of local pro-Palestine activist Heather Awyan at her residence.

After identifying themselves, the FBI agents immediately began asking Awyan about “reports of antisemitic activity or internet postings.” The agents did not even ask Awyan to identify herself but wanted to know her “take” on those “reports.”

In response, Awyan stated, “I have no take because I don’t have a lawyer” and ended the interaction. Before leaving the front stoop, one agent pressed Awyan further by asking her if anyone had been harassing her. Awyan replied, “I have nothing to say to you. I don’t have any comment.” The two FBI agents walked away.

Santa Ana, CA – On Thursday, July 3, community members and local activists rallied in front of the Santa Ana Federal Building. They demanded U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli drop the charges against immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana. They also called for “Hands off Verita Topete!” another activist with Centro CSO who was targeted by the FBI.

“When activists are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” chanted the fiery crowd.

Fight Back! is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

A trial date of August 26 was set for immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana at his July 3 court appearance in front of a room packed with supporters. Orellana was arrested by the FBI on June 12 for protesting against ICE in Los Angeles. He faces up to 5 years in prison for two bogus federal charges: conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is calling for a national day of protests on the first day of Orellana's trial, August 26th, to demand that the charges be dropped. To everyone who believes in the right to free speech, to protest ICE, and to say no to deportations, we urge you to organize a local protest on that day at the nearest federal courthouse.

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, July 5, Centro CSO organized a rally at La Placita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles to demand justice for two of its members who are under attack: Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete. The rally drew over 50 community members, workers, students, organizers and even Orellana’s former schoolteachers. The crowd united to chant, “Drop the charges!”

Los Angeles, CA – On July 3, the courtroom in the Edward Roybal Federal Courthouse was completely packed in support of Alejandro Orellana.

Orellana was raided by the National Guard, East LA sheriffs and the FBI on June 12 and is facing up to five years in prison if found guilty. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli charged Orellana with conspiracy to commit civil unrest and aiding and abetting civil unrest.

“Thank you to all for your support today,” said Alejandro Orellana, addressing his supporters. Present were his immediate family, Centro CSO members and other supporters. Also present was CSO member and immigration leader Verita Topete. On June 26, Topete was followed in a park and violently served a search warrant for her phone, while she walked her dog alone.

Denver, CO – On the evening of June 27, Aurora Unidos CSO, Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee (DACAC), and rank-and-file Teamsters gathered outside the Byron Rogers Federal Building to demand that charges be dropped on Los Aneles immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana.

Chicago, IL – On Friday, June 27, allies of the Los Angeles group Centro CSO gathered at noon in downtown Chicago for a press conference and rally in support of CSO immigrant rights activists Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete. Orellana and Topete have been targeted by the FBI in the weeks since the Los Angeles protests against ICE raids.

“We’re here to demand that the federal charges against Alejandro Orellana be dropped,” Joe Iosbaker of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, said. “Raids and federal grand juries are attacks on progressive movements, on our freedom to speak, to assemble, and to tell the government that their actions and their policies are wrong.”

Minneapolis, MN – Immigrant rights protesters gathered at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in Minneapolis June 27. This action was part of a National Day of Action called by the Legalization for All Network and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

New Orleans, LA – On June 27 at noon, a crowd rallied against FBI repression in front of the New Orleans Immigration Court. Local activists called the rally in coordination with a National Day of Action for Alejandro Orellana, an immigrant rights activist in East LA. Orellana is facing federal charges for protesting recent ICE raids in Los Angeles.

“El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” chanted activist Toni Jones. “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. If we don’t stand with Alejandro against these bogus charges then who will stand up for us?”

Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, June 27, community members gathered at Salazar Park at 4 p.m. for a press conference and rally demanding the charges be dropped against Alejandro Orellana and calling for justice for Verita Topete. Both are immigrant rights activists who were raided by the FBI within the last two weeks.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

On the morning of June 12, the FBI, accompanied by the National Guard and LA sheriffs, raided the home of Alejandro Orellana for his protesting of ICE raids in Los Angeles. He was arrested, taken into federal custody, then released the next day – after much public pressure and many phone calls to the U.S. Attorney.

Now he faces two bogus federal charges: one for conspiracy to commit civil disorder and another for aiding and abetting civil disorder. He is facing serious prison time.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. Orellana has been released from jail and the NAARPR is working to support his defense.

Statement Demanding the Release of Alejandro Orellana

On June 12th, FBI agents arrested Alejandro Orellana, a member of Centro CSO, a branch of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression based in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, for providing aid to the community being tear-gassed. Orellana’s arrest comes the same day Senator Alex Padilla was violently assaulted at a Homeland Security press conference. We condemn Orellana’s arrest as a clear example of racist and political repression. After immense community pressure led by the Centro CSO, Orellana was released the following day! The power of the people are driving ICE back and freeing people like Orellano, and it will be the power of the people that get Orellano’s charges dropped!

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

In April 2025, San Jose anti-war activist Alex Dillard was subjected to the execution of a federal search warrant. FBI agents raided his home and seized his personal electronic devices, seeking evidence of alleged ties to Russia and implying that he may have been acting as a foreign agent.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

On the morning of Wednesday, April 23, FBI and local police raided the homes of pro-Palestine activists across three cities in Michigan: Canton, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. What they had in common were they were supporters of Palestine and often attended protests. At least one is a graduate student.

Fight Back! is circulating this alert from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. We urge all our readers to call the Humboldt County district attorney when the office opens on Tuesday, May 28.

Call the prosecutors May 28

On May 28, the Cal Poly Humboldt pro-Palestine protesters – who are students, faculty and community members – have their first arraignment court appearance in Eureka, CA. Each of the 30 protesters is being charged with 4 misdemeanors and thus are each facing up to 4 years in prison just for standing with Palestine and saying no to genocide. It was the police and the university who were the aggressors that day. We have a First Amendment right to free speech and protest that must be protected.

Fight Back! is circulating this statement from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and the US Palestinian Community Network

On November 15, three FBI agents came to the Chicago home of an international solidarity activist in Chicago who had traveled to Venezuela. The activist wasn’t home, but the agent in charge gave the landlord his card. He asked to be let into the building, but the landlord refused and instead reported the visit to the tenant.