Los Angeles, CA – On June 3, Centro CSO held a press conference at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights demanding that the state keep its hands off Nadia Topete. On May 20, Topete, a Chicana immigrant rights activist with Centro CSO, was served a subpoena by the FBI demanding that she testifies in front of a grand jury. She did not appear at the grand jury proceedings, which were set for the same day.

Press conference organizers state, “Nadia bravely refused to rat on her fellow activists who did nothing wrong, risking serious jail time. Cases of blatant political repression like this one have continued to intensify in the wake of Trump’s racist, reactionary agenda. Nadia Topete’s determination is a strong example of the people’s refusal to back down.”

At the press conference, Centro CSO member Verita Topete, Nadia’s sister and herself a victim of FBI repression, led attendees in chants of “When we fight, we win!”

“Our enemies are trying to find ways to attack us, but we won’t stand down. This is a fight we are willing to take. We will win,” said Henry Cornejo, a Teamster at UPS and member of Centro CSO.

Carlos Montes, a longtime Chicano activist and member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization who has experienced political repression over the decades, said, “Federal grand juries have been used by the Trump administration to go after immigrant rights activists. We are united to denounce the use of the grand jury and the FBI by the Trump administration and the U.S. Attorney’s office to harass and intimidate activists who oppose Trump’s attacks on our immigrant community.”

In order to support Topete, the Committee to Stop FBI Repression is requesting donations: tinyurl.com/csfrdonate.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #CentroCSO #NadiaTopete #Featured

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

Nadia Topete, immigrants' rights activist in Los Angeles, refused to testify in front of a grand jury. Because of this, she could be arrested and held in jail for an unknown period of time. The CSFR calls on all supporters to, on Monday, June 8, call into the offices of the US Attorney Bilal Essayli and Assistant US Attorney Michael Wheat, to say, “Hands Off Nadia!”

While we don't know why Nadia Topete was subpoenaed, we know that she was part of the 2025 anti-ICE uprisings in LA. Grand juries result in indictments nine times out of ten and are tools of political repression. Refusing to testify is a heroic act that every person of conscience should look at as a model for what to do if you are ever summoned to a grand jury. She, like everyone else in that movement, did nothing wrong and should be able to walk free.

Call in on Monday, 6/8! Hands Off Nadia Topete!

When: June 8, Monday, from 9am to 5pm PDT

Who: call both

1. Bilal Essayli, US Attorney Central District Office Line @ (714) 338-3500, press 0

2. Assistant US Attorney Michael Wheat @ (619) 557-5610

Script:

“I am [NAME] calling from [STATE] and I demand that Nadia Topete not be arrested for refusing to testify in front of a grand jury. She did nothing wrong, committed no crime, and we will stand with her against any kind of repression. Hands Off Nadia Topete!”

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #NadiaTopete #Featured

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

On May 20, Nadia Topete was visited by two FBI agents and served a subpoena demanding that she testify in front of a grand jury on June 3. Even now, it is not known why she is being subpoenaed; all we know is that she is an immigrants rights activist and an outspoken political Chicana organizer. She refused to go and testify, the penalty to which can be prison time without a known end date. Topete is a hero who stood with the people and the movement at a potentially huge cost to herself and her freedom. We in the Committee to Stop FBI Repression say, “Hands Off!” and we will fight any attempt to jail her, tooth and nail.

Grand juries, nine times out of ten, result in indictments. They do not permit the person being questioned to be in the room with a lawyer, nor to present a defense of any kind, nor even any witnesses. There would have been nothing but Topete and the prosecutors interrogating her and looking for somebody to indict. The result of refusing to go is often jailtime without knowing when you would get out. She did the right, brave thing by saying no. Every activist reading this statement needs to learn from her example.

Topete did nothing wrong. Neither did the other members of the activist group she is in, Centro CSO in Los Angeles, who were charged by the federal government after their participation in the anti ICE uprising in Los Angeles in 2025, such as Alejandro Orellana whose charges were dropped. They did nothing wrong either. We view this as a political attack on activists in Los Angeles, and we say a loud, resounding “No!” to political repression. We say, “Hands Off Nadia Topete!” We will do whatever it takes to defend her, a true daughter of Aztlán.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #NadiaTopete #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #CSFR #Featured

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following update from the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network regarding the sentencing of pro-Palestine Jax activist, Conor Cauley.

Conor Cauley was sentenced to 60 days with time served, 3 years of probation, court fines, 150 community service hours and a stay away order from the same officer, Officer Aliaga Ruiz, who threw him over a row of chairs!

We will reiterate what our beloved member Conor Cauley has repeatedly mentioned, this fight is for every single person in the city of Jacksonville, and this sentencing will not deter us. We know Palestinians experience torturous conditions in Zionist prisons, and we also acknowledge the decrepit nature and condition of the Duval County Jail.

From Palestine to Jacksonville, Zionists and imperialists will use the system as it’s designed; to break you down and destroy your spirit. But we know the power of the people is greater than the people in power!

Please visit and donate to Conor’s Gofundme and we will see folks later to protest at the Jail! Find the Gofundme here.

SHAME ON MELISSA NELSON!

SHAME ON JSO!

FREE CONOR CAULEY NOW!

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ConorCauley #JPSN #CSFR #AWAN

Fight Back News Service and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression are circulating the following call to action from Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network.

On May 27, 2025, three organizers, including two Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network members, were unjustly arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) after being targeted during a city council meeting. Conor Cauley was violently attacked by JSO officers, and is facing up to 10 years in prison for felony charges of resisting arrest with violence and battery of a law enforcement officer. Activists Leah Grady and Dragon Belloit were also arrested.

Videos of the arrest clearly show that the only violence came from JSO officers. These are trumped-up, bogus charges. Sheriff T.K. Waters publicly stated he wants to make an example out of these activists in order to silence people who use their right to protest Jacksonville’s involvement in the genocide of Palestinians.

With one week to go before Conor’s trial, we need to be louder than ever to demand that these charges get dropped. Every single call helps!

Please call and email the office of State Attorney Melissa Nelson and Prosecutor Kelli Lynn Shobe at (904) 255-2500 – press 0 to reach the front desk and ask to leave a message for Nelson or Shobe.

You can email them at SAO4th@coj.net and kshobe@coj.net

Here is a sample script for calls or emails:

Hello, my name is [FIRST NAME, LAST NAME], and I am a resident of [CITY, STATE]. On May 27, 2025, three community members, Conor Cauley, Leah Grady, and Dragon Belloit, were arrested and brutalized during a city council meeting simply for speaking up against the genocide of Gaza. Thousands witnessed the viral video in which one member of the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, Conor, was violently grabbed by the neck and flipped over a row of benches. Yet, the State Attorney’s Office has persisted in launching a campaign of clear political repression by targeting Conor with two felony charges. No jury of our peers would convict someone who JSO threw over a row of chairs and the State Attorney’s Ofice is wasting taxpayer time and money by refusing to drop these charges. I am calling to demand that sheriff T.K. Waters fire both the arresting officers, Maykel Aliaga-Ruiz and Donovan Davis, and that State Attorney Melissa Nelson drop all charges against Conor Cauley, Leah Grady, and Dragon Belloit immediately.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #Featured

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

On the night of March 19, 2026, University Police Department returned with a warrant to the apartment of Rick Toledo, Students for a Democratic Society organizer at Cal Poly Tech Humboldt, and seized his laptop, phone, and other electronics such as a camera. They attempted to force him to give up his passcodes, and he told them no. He did the right thing.

This violation of his privacy comes as part of their effort to charge him with four bogus felonies – false imprisonment, conspiracy, battery, and assault – related to the student protest on Feb 27. This is the latest in their string of acts to suppress any campus free speech for Palestine and divestment from Israel, along with suspending and firing him from his university teaching job.

We should be perfectly clear about it: there is nothing wrong with supporting any student action, including building occupations, that is taken to make demands of a university. Our rights to free speech and freedom of assembly are protected by the First Amendment, enshrined in the constitution. College protest is a long-time tradition, and it continues on today. Toledo committed no crime in supporting the student protest, and the university is determined to create lie after lie in order to demonize him.

In our view, what they really want to do is punish Toledo not for the one-day building occupation last month, but for the 9-day building occupation during the encampment movement in spring of 2024. That display of courage by the students in the name of ending university support for a genocide made it to millions of TV screens, and the state of California and university want someone to pay. Toledo is their target of choice, years later.

We demand that he not be charged of any crime, because he didn't do anything wrong. We demand that his devices be returned ASAP. Activists should learn from his example of not telling the police a single thing, including a passcode. The university and police are the criminals here for trying to scare activists out of speaking out against the university's continued financial support to Israeli apartheid. Now is not the time to suffer in silence; it’s the time to speak out. We need to condemn political repression, stand with Rick Toledo, and defend our rights to speak out for Palestine.

Don’t Charge Rick Toledo!

Give Him His Property Back!

Protesting for Palestine Is Not a Crime!

#CSFR #StopFBI #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

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.

El 12 de junio, el FBI, la Guardia Nacional, y la Estación del Sheriff de LA del Este asaltaron la casa de Orellana. Detuvieron a Orellana, destruyeron su casa familiar, y lo encarcelaron en el Centro de Detención Metropolitano que ha sido la ubicación de muchas manifestaciones contra la deportación. El Departamento de Justicia lo acusaron de conspiración de cometer desorden civil y ayudar e instigar desorden civil, que podría haber resultado en una sentencia de cinco años en prisión para Orellana.

Después de siete semanas de luchar en una campaña nacional, Centro CSO se mantuvo firme y luchó contra las probabilidades contra la represión política y la intimidación y tuvo éxito. El Abogado de los EEUU Bill Essayli – mano derecha de Trump – se rindió a la presión y se dio cuenta que no ganaría el caso. Como notaron los apoyadores de Orallana en las acciones en todo el país, redistribuir escudos facial y botellas de agua no es un crimen.

La campaña consistió en días nacionales de acción exigiendo que el Abogado de los EEUU Bill Essayli retire los cargos a Alejando. Los aliados en todas partes del país publicaron declaraciones de apoyo, manifestaron en las calles, prepararon videos de apoyo, escribieron cartas y llenaron las líneas de teléfono para instar a Essayli que retire los cargos fabricados. CSO hizo un impacto y llenó la sala de tribunal con apoyadores durante las audiencias de Orellana.

Con su audiencia, Orellana y el Centro CSO lo hizo claro que es muy bien hecho rebelarse contra las injusticias crueles contra la Raza.

“Protestar no es un crimen,” dijo Orellana como respuesta cuando el gobierno retiró los cargos. “Proteger la comunidad no es un crimen. La razón por la cual ganamos es porque estamos en el lado correcto de la historia y nuestra causa es justa.”

Los ataques a las personas no documentadas todavía aumentan en su número y ferocidad, mientras el proyecto de ley de Trump desastroso proporcionará miles de millones de dólares al presupuesto de ICE para alcanzar las cuotas de deportación por secuestrar a gente inocente de las calles y los sitios de trabajo. El Agente Principal de la Patrulla Fronteriza de California Gregory Bovino ve a todas las personas no documentadas como criminales que deben ser recogidos en campos de concentración como intenta a penalizar a cada quien se pone contra los raptos cometidos por policías federales.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #PrepressiónPolítica #FBI #ICE #DerechosDeInmigrantes #CentroCSO #FBI #CSFR #L4A #Destacado #ImmigrantRights #PoliticalRepression #InJusticeSystem

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.

Alex was raided by the FBI and charged with conspiracy to commit civil disorder, and with aiding and abetting civil disorder. Trump's California crony, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, tried to put Alex behind bars for up to five years for the so-called “crime” of distributing personal protection to protesters who were facing rubber bullets and tear gas. This was an obvious attempt to stop the growing resistance against ICE and deportations across the country — and to scare activists off of the streets.

In answer, we fought back, mounted a national defense campaign, and won.

The lessons of this defense campaign are clear and important. First, it was vital for Alex and his supporters to be open about who he was, what the charges were (and how much time they carried), his reputation as a leader of Centro CSO, and that he is a member of the FRSO. Alex’s actions in the uprising were heroic, and our choice to speak freely about them won him critical support from the people.

Second, we chose to do a national mobilization filled with rallies, press conferences, public statements of support, social media blitzes and call-in days. We were determined to win in the court of public opinion. In this way, people were given ways to put pressure on the prosecution and the enemy.

Finally, there was a good and aggressive legal strategy. The legal team worked hard for the best possible outcome and took actions to prepare for a trial setting, in which we were prepared to put Trump, his administration, and U.S. Attorney Essayli on trial for criminalizing protest instead of the other way around.

The key lessons of this defense campaign are the same lessons we learned from the Anti-War 23, the defense of Carlos Montes and Rasmea Odeh, and the case of the Tampa 5. The purpose of political repression is to use fear to quell our movements and silence its leaders. If we refuse to give into fear and choose to fight back, if we go to our court appearances and look the prosecution in the eye, if we speak to the press and the masses about our cases, we stand a chance to win.

These lessons are the key to weathering the storms waiting for us. We are entering a time of heightening repression from the Trump administration. However, we are also entering a period of heightening struggle, courage and resistance from the masses, who have shown that they are willing to fight for a better world.

If we have the grit and determination to stand up to repression, we can build a revolutionary organization. The case of Alex Orellana shows us that attacks don't mean defeat, that it is right to rebel, and that in spite of repression, we have opportunities to grow and a world to win. The fight has just begun.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ImmigrantRights #FRSO #Statement #CSFR #FBI #ICE #StopFBI #CentroCSO

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.

After seven weeks of fighting a national campaign, Centro CSO stood their ground and fought the odds against political repression and intimidation and were successful. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli – Trump's lapdog – gave in to the pressure and realized that he would not win this case. As Orellana’s supporters noted at actions across the country, handing out face shields and water bottles to protesters is not a crime.

The campaign consisted of national days of action demanding that U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli drop the charges on Alejandro. Allies around the country released statements of support, held protests, made videos of support, wrote letters and flooded phone lines pressuring Essayli to drop the trumped-up charges. CSO made an impact and filled up the courtroom during Orellana’s hearings.

With their victory, Orellana and Centro CSO made it clear that it is right to rebel against inhumane injustices against Raza.

“Protesting is not a crime,” said Orellana in response to the government dropping its charges against him. “Protecting the community is not a crime. The reason we won is because we are on the right side of history and our cause is just.”

Attacks on undocumented people are only increasing, as Trump's disastrous bill will allot the ICE budget billions of dollars to meet his deportation quota by abducting innocent people from the streets and workplaces. California Chief Border Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino sees all undocumented people as criminals who should be rounded up to concentration camps and he tries to criminalize anyone who stands against abductions by masked federal agents.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #ICE #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #Feature

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.

On August 7, Alejandro Orellana, an immigrants rights activist and leader in Centro Community Service Organization in East Los Angeles, will have his final pre-trial hearing. He currently faces two bogus federal charges, one of conspiracy and another to commit disorder, and is looking at up to five years in prison for protesting ICE raids in LA. The trial itself will begin on August 26.

The prosecutor and law enforcement allege that Orellana drove a truck carrying personal protective equipment (PPE) and face shields to anti-ICE protests and that this constitutes a conspiracy to commit a crime. But in our view, there is nothing wrong with bringing face shields to protests while police are shooting rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds.

In multiple instances, police have taken out protesters’ eyes with rubber bullets. Federal agents have been flouting due process, raiding workplaces and parking lots, and arresting hundreds of immigrant workers, like the 200 immigrants arrested off farms in Camarillo, California, while police brutalize protesters.

Orellana has done nothing wrong. He has dedicated over 10 years of his life to demanding justice for Chicanos and Latinos who were killed by police or who were deported. He has opposed unjust wars, and he has spoken up again and again for what is right. He represents a political threat to the Trump administration, and that is the sole reason he is being targeted.

On the other hand, the US Attorney Bilal Essayli represents the opposite. He is pursuing charges against other anti-ICE protesters, including the union president of the SEIU California, David Huerta. Huerta was held in custody on a $50,000 bail. Essayli defended Trump’s decision to use the California National Guard to quell the LA protests. Essayli carries out the MAGA agenda full-force, and he is Trump’s man in California.

It is in the interest of everyone who believes in civil liberties, the right to free speech, and the right to freedom of assembly, to demand that the charges on Orellana be dropped. Neither protesting Trump, nor ICE, nor deportations, should ever be a crime.

On August 7, we are asking everyone to:

1. Organize a protest for August 7 at a federal building, federal courthouse, or local ICE office, to demand that the US government drop the charges on Alejandro Orellana.

2. Call U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli on August 7 at 213-894-2400 and demand that the charges be dropped.

3. If you are in an organization, release a solidarity statement to demand that the charges be dropped.

4. Donate to the legal fund: Venmo @CentroCSO or Zelle CSO at: +1 (323) 580-3764

You can find flyers, materials, and case updates for Alejandro Orellana at www.stopfbi.org, on this page. Keep scrolling to find the downloadable materials.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #StopFBI #FBI #CSFR #ImmigrantRights #ICE #AlejandroOrellana #CentroCSO #Feature

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.

Activists should remain vigilant against political repression and harassment by knowing their rights when interacting with law enforcement. Do not speak to FBI agents under any circumstances, except to confirm your name, get their card or contact information, and decline to speak to them. Shut the door and call an attorney. More resources can be found at stopfbi.org, the website of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

The FBI knock on Awyan reflects a pattern of repression by Trump’s federal agencies against activists, journalists and organizers who speak out against U.S. imperialism, U.S. support for the genocidal state of Israel, and most recently, ICE raids and illegal abductions of immigrants.

But even in light of this repression, activists across the country have bravely resisted intimidation tactics and continued to fight within the peoples movements.

When asked if this unexpected FBI visit will affect her organizing work and solidarity with Palestine, Awyan responded, “No, not at all. There’s no stopping the billions of us worldwide who want to see a free Palestine and the freedom of all oppressed people.”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #FBI #StopFBI #CSFR #PoliticalRepression #Feature

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.

“Political repression is nothing new and, in the U.S., it has always been directed at the people who are on the right side of history. In the 70s, the people rose up against the war in Vietnam and to support the victory of the Vietnamese people. This was met with violence from police and military forces,” said Diana Terreros of Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Terreros continued, “We see some of the same tactics, along with deportations being used to repress our movements. First, we saw people like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi detained and threatened with deportation for leading pro-Palestine protests. And now, the National Guard and local police have been used in LA and Santa Ana to repress protests by people that are righteously angry at ICE for taking their loved ones. They’ve shot tear gas and rubber bullets, beat people with batons, and more.”

“Our sister chapter Centro CSO has been out in Boyle Heights confronting ICE and kicking them out since the racist ICE raids started in LA,” stated Rain Mendoza of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC).

Mendoza explained, “The FBI is targeting Centro CSO for their immigrant rights activism. They raided and charged our brother Alejandro Orellana and most recently stalked and ambushed our sister Verita Topete. With the seizing of her phone, it is clear they are grasping at straws trying to find anything on our members. We know they have done nothing wrong! Protesting is not a crime!”

The crowd chanted, “Protesting is not a crime!” and “Drop the charges now!”

Mendoza continued, “We are united in this fight! We will not stop until all the charges against Alejandro Orellana are dropped! We will not stop until this FBI witch hunt against our members has stopped! As the attacks on Chicanos, Latinos, and other immigrant communities escalate, it is more important than ever to fight back against the forces that wish to stop us.”

Orange County DSA Co-chair Cal Saunders denounced Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and called for solidarity as ICE funding increases and repression gets worse. “This bill cuts $300 billion from SNAP. It cuts $930 billion from Medicaid. It cuts $170 billion from Medicare. It cuts $488 billion from clean energy. And it provides $150 billion to ICE and $150 billion to the military. This bill condemns the poor and gives permanent tax cuts to the wealthiest people in this country!”

The crowd chanted, “Chinga la Migra! Raza si, Migra no!”

The rally ended with a CSO OC member stating, “In being here today, you have demonstrated our collective solidarity with Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete. Just as we have done today, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our community, and with a shared voice, condemn the unjust repression of activists who are advocating for immigrant rights.”

To get involved with CSO OC, please visit their Instagram CSO.OC or email them at orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #FBI #CentroCSO #CSOOC #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #ICE

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.

Orellana has spent much of his adult life fighting for justice for Chicanos, Latinos, and many others. He has opposed the killings of Chicanos and Latinos by the LAPD, such as 14-year-old Jesse Romero, stood against US wars, protested in defense of others targeted by political repression, and has been a longtime member of the activist group, Centro CSO, based out of East LA. His life is full of examples of courage, integrity, and a dedication to justice.

In contrast, the US Attorney who charged him, Bilal Essayli, believes in Trump's racist MAGA vision and does a lot to carry it out. He defended Trump's decision to defy the state of California and deploy the California National Guard to put down anti-ICE protests. Essayli has charged other protesters, including David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, who was held on a $50,000 bond.

Another Centro CSO immigrant rights activist, Verita Topete, was ambushed by the FBI on June 26. They served her a warrant and seized her phone. Orellana and his fellow organizers like Topete stand for the community that protested Trump last month. Essayli represents Trump’s attempts to crush that movement.

This case against Orellana is political repression, meant to stop the growth of the national immigrant rights movement. The basis for his arrest was the claim that he drove a truck carrying face shields for protesters, as police geared up to put down protests with rubber bullets. People of conscience are standing with Orellana. because nothing he did or is accused of doing is wrong. There is no crime in protesting Trump, deportations, and ICE. To protest is his – and our – First Amendment right. It’s up to us to make sure that Essayli and Trump fail to repress this movement and silence Orellana's supporters.

Just as he stood up for immigrants last month, we call on everyone to stand up for Orellana on August 26 and demand the charges be dropped. On the June 27 National Day of Action for Alejandro Orellana, at least 16 cities held protests or press conferences in front of their federal courthouses. We’ll make sure there are even more on August 26. In addition to planning local protests, we ask that organizations submit statements of support and to join in the call to drop the charges.

You can find protest organizing materials on our website, stopfbi.org. Please send information about your local protests and any statements of support to stopfbi@gmail.com. We will see you in the streets!

On August 26, Protest at Your Federal Courthouse for Alejandro Orellana!

Drop the Charges Now!

Protesting ICE Is Not a Crime!

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #CSFR #StopFBI #ImmigrantRights #ICE #CentroCSO #L4A #Feature

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!”

The rally came as Orellana faces federal charges for allegedly distributing face shields and water to protesters during a demonstration against ICE in downtown Los Angeles. Verita Topete, a leader of CSO’s immigration committee, has also experienced political attacks in recent weeks for her role defending immigrant rights and speaking out against police terror. The FBI seized her phone on June 26.

Centro CSO and supporters made it clear that these charges are a part of a larger campaign of repression aimed at silencing the workers and Chicanos who are fighting back against deportations.

“We all have the same enemy – that’s Donald Trump, ICE and the state. We need to rise up and say ‘Drop the charges on Alejandro. Leave Verita alone. Hands off protesters!’” said Jared Hamil, a Teamster at Local 396 and a shop steward at UPS.

“These folks are heroes of the working class and immigrant rights movement,” said Sol Márquez of Centro CSO. “We want justice for Verita and drop the charges on Alejandro. ¡La lucha sigue, sigue!”

Speakers emphasized that the real criminals are not those fighting for justice, but the system that jails organizers, deports families and protects killer cops. As the rally ended, Centro CSO pledged to continue the fight, build solidarity and organize more actions to defend those under attack.

Organizers encouraged supporters to attend upcoming court dates in August, spread the word about the FBI repression, gather solidarity statements for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and stay in the streets until all charges are dropped and justice is won.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #ICE #FBI #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #CentroCSO

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.

During the July 3 court hearing, Judge Karen Stevenson announced that Orellana’s jury trial would start on August 26 and would take place at the First Street U.S. Courthouse. A jury will be selected for his trial.

“I’m not surprised that the Trump administration is trying to criminalize us,” says Verita Topete, “when all we are doing is advocating for our undocumented community. As another CSO member recently said, ‘It’s about power.’ Our movement will continue even if they obtain warrants to confiscate our electronic devices. Our movement will continue even if they bring back the National Guard to keep raiding more of our members! Our movement for justice will not die.”

“Today with a packed courtroom full of family and supporters,” said longtime Centro CSO member and Chicano revolutionary Carlos Montes. “I heard Alejandro loud and clear declare himself not guilty!”

Centro CSO called the press conference and rally in support of Alejandro Orellana and to demand the charges against him be dropped. Both took place outside of the federal courthouse. CSO member Avery Raimondo led the rally and spoke about how he arrived at the site of the June 12 raid shortly after Orellana was detained and taken into federal custody.

Also speaking at the press conference were Carlos Montes, Teamster member Reuben Navarrete, Teamster member Jenny Bekenstein, CSO Immigration Committee leader Jordan Peña, along with CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) member Gabriel Quiroz Jr.

Navarrete, a Teamster rank and filer like Orellana, spoke during the rally, stating, “What Alejandro is being charged with – this is not a crime! People are getting shot in the face with tear gas and rubber bullets. We shouldn’t be targeted for this; drop the charges now!”

Navarrete added, “We are honored to be part of Centro CSO and showing our support for Alejandro! He is a good person and did nothing wrong. Protesting is not a crime!”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #ICE #CSFR #L4A #CentroCSO #ImmigrantRights #StopFBI #Feature

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.

On June 12, the FBI raided Orellana’s home, supposedly for handing out masks as protection against police attacking his community. Speakers at the press conference made it clear that Orellana was being targeted for being active in the immigrant rights movement and for being a public voice against police crimes in East Los Angeles.

Members of Aurora Unidos CSO and DACAC gave speeches calling for the bogus charges on Orellana to be dropped. Caleb Cobb, a Teamster, talked about Orellana’s organizing as a fellow rank-and-file worker, ending by saying, “We have a duty as union members to stand up to all attacks against workers.”

Ella Rydwell with DACAC spoke about the repression Angela Davis faced from the FBI and the international struggle for her freedom, connecting that fight to the one being waged today for Orellana. A common theme among the speakers was that protesting is not a crime and that Orellana was only looking to defend his community.

#DenverCO #CO #InJusticeSystem #FBI #AlejandroOrellana #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #CentroCSO #DCAC #AUCSO #ImmigrantRights #ICE

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.”

On June 12, the FBI broke into Orellana’s house, and he was arrested. He is now charged with “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” and “aiding and abetting civil disorder.” These are federal offenses usually reserved for firearms infractions and carry a maximum sentence of five years. Orellana has been accused of helping to distribute face shields to fellow protesters during the LA rallies.

On June 26, the FBI ambushed Topete in a public park while she was walking her dog, executing a search warrant and seizing her phone. The reasons for taking Topete’s phone have yet to be made public.

“We’re demanding an end to the attacks on protesters,” said Iosbaker. “Protesting ICE raids and deportations is not a crime.”

Joining the Committee to Stop FBI Repression at the press conference was the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression’s Immigrant Rights Working Committee, Casa DuPage Worker’s Center, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and the United States Palestinian Community Network.

The press conference was planned in support of the National Day of Action called for by the Legalization for All network. Included in the press conference was an ask for call-ins to federal prosecutor Bill Essayli’s office to demand the charges be dropped.

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #L4A #CSFR #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellana #VeritaTopete #FBI #ICE #CentroCSO #Feature

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.

The protest also demanded charges be dropped against Isavela Lopez here in Minneapolis. Lopez was arrested in the aftermath of the federal militarized operation at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in on June 3, in which ICE participated along with several other federal agencies and local police. While protesting that operation in the heart of the immigrant community, Lopez was brutalized by law enforcement, then later she was arrested by federal officers and hit with legal charges.

The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) organized the Minneapolis protest together with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR). They will continue to organize and demand that charges be dropped against people exercising their right to protest the brutal and unjust actions of Trump and ICE.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #InJusticeSystem #FBIRepression #AlejandroOrellana #ImmigrantRights #MIRAC #LegalizationForAll #L4A #CSFR

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?”

Jones is the chair of New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police, a local affiliate of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR). NAARPR, alongside Legalization for All and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, called for solidarity actions across the country.

The crowd also called for an end to the ICE raids and deportations, chanting “Ni una mas deportación” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”

“Alejandro did nothing wrong! It is right to rebel against these ICE and FBI thugs,” said student activist Carson Cruse. “[Alejandro and I] belong to the same union, the Teamsters, and I hope to become a union steward just like Alejandro.”

The crowd called for all the charges against Orellana to be dropped. During the demonstration, the protesters called U.S. Attorney Essayli’s office on speaker phone and addressed the answering machine in unison saying, “We want the charges against Alejandro Orellana dropped!”

The FBI raided Orellana ’s home on June 12 and charged him with conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder.

At the end of the rally, speakers encouraged everyone to call the U.S. Attorney’s office directly and to continue the weekly rallies at the immigration court.

#NewOrleansLA #InJusticeSystem #NOCOP #NAARPR #L4A #CSFR

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.

The press conference was the first time Orellana has spoken out since his arrest. He thanked people for supporting him and helping him fight his charges.

Longtime Chicano activist Carlos Montes stated, “Trump has made it part of his agenda to go after immigrants, specifically Mexican and Central American immigrants. We have a long history of resistance against racism here in East LA and Boyle Heights. We call it the Chicano movement.”

On June 12, the FBI broke into Orellana’s home. He was arrested and now faces federal charges for “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” and “aiding and abetting civil disorder.”

On June 26, Topete was aggressively ambushed by the FBI in a park where they issued her a search warrant and seized her phone.

Both activists are being targeted for protesting the violent ICE raids throughout Los Angeles.

Centro CSO led the event alongside allied organizations Union del Barrio, Black Lives Matter-LA, Proyecto Pastoral, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Boyle Heights Catholic Worker. Community activists, union members and media gathered to rally and support the demands.

Sammy Carrera, a sanitation worker and Teamster, drew the comparison to other historic activists who have been targeted by the FBI. Carrera told the crowd, “Sixty years ago COINTELPRO sent MLK a letter telling him to unalive himself. Fast forward 60 years later in 2024, they put out a tweet to commemorate the legacy of MLK. In 60 years will they tweet about Alejandro Orellana, or will they tweet about Verita Topete? Will they tweet about the organized resistance and rebellions that we saw in southeast LA, Paramount and other parts of the city? As an organized community we will continue to make history on our own terms. We will continue to defend ourselves from ICE terrorism by any means necessary.”

Amanda Díaz, a leader of Centro CSO, reminded the crowd of what the protests are really about. First describing the brutal conditions people face in detention centers, she went on to explain, “Immigration detention in this country is a multi-billion dollar business, with private prisons companies and billionaires making billions of dollars off of the pain and suffering of our community members and loved ones. Almost 90% of people in ICE custody are held in facilities run by for-profit, private companies.”

The event coincided with a National Day of Action called for by the Legalization For All (L4A) network, which mobilized protests for Alejandro Orellana in dozens of cities across the country. The L4A network also organized a call-in action to federal prosecutor Bill Essayli to demand the charges be dropped.

You can follow Orellana's case on www.stopfbi.org.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellano #CSFR #Feature