Santa Ana, CA – The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) shot and killed an unnamed 16-year-old inside his own apartment on Sunday, June 14. SAPD released multiple statements to justify the killing hours before caution tape came down or police had even left the scene. This killing happened just four and a half months after the last teenager, 18-year-old Chicano Victor Lopez, was killed by SAPD.

On Monday, June 15, Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) members investigated the apartment complex to learn more about the victim.

Police said they were called about a family disturbance. Reports said the 53-year-old boyfriend of the “suspect’s” mother reported that the 16-year-old had stabbed him with a knife, was “under the influence” and was “vandalizing property.” When they arrived, police said they told the teenager to drop the knife and when he refused, they shot him.

But the public has a right to be skeptical. Police often use these reports to justify their killings, calling their victims suspects, emphasizing how dangerous they are, and focusing on drug use and property damage to mark people for death. The public never gets the bigger picture behind the story. And police never ask if they could solve the problem without violence.

CSO OC members went door to door to learn what happened from neighbors and to connect with the impacted family. Multiple neighbors said they heard police breaking down a door. One said she heard between ten and 20 gunshots, and a mother crying out, “You killed my baby!” CSO OC met members of the family weeping just feet away from their taped-off complex. These details start to paint a different picture from the story the police project in their social media and local news outlets.

CSO OC will be having a protest on behalf of the family and all victims of police crimes in Santa Ana on Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. at the intersection of W McArthur Boulevard and S Main Street.

These victims include people like 18-year-old Victor Lopez, who just four months earlier was chased by SAPD into a parking structure. But what SAPD failed to mention was that it was his own apartment complex, or that they shot Lopez three times in the back while he was attempting to surrender. They do not mention that Lopez was driving with his fiancé and one-year-old son. Instead, they focus on a firearm he dropped while exiting the vehicle, which is not a death sentence, and the firearm was not used. SAPD claims it does not need to release more body camera footage to the public but faces yet another civil rights lawsuit for the police killing.

All of this is why CSO OC fights for community control of the police. We have a basic right to decide on all police matters where we live. That includes the ability to have independent and transparent investigations into these killings, and the ability to hold police accountable for killing our children. If you would like to meet us or would like our support as an organization, please reach out at Instagram, Facebook, or email at orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CSOOC

Anaheim, CA – On Saturday, June 6, Community Service Organization, Orange County (CSO OC) along with friends and family of Albert Arzola, held a protest and vigil on the six-month anniversary of his killing by Anaheim PD Officer Nathan Garcia.

The energy was high as the protest began in front of the Anaheim City Hall with chants of “Justice for Albert Arzola!” Attendees' voices echoed far and wide as spectators from the streets stopped to watch. As the march began with chants of “Nathan Garcia, lock him up!” Anaheim residents driving by honked their horns in support. The match went from Anaheim City Hall to the front of the Anaheim Police Department.

There, CSO OC police accountability committee member Matthew Compton opened with, “We are here today to demand Anaheim Police Chief Manuel Cid fire killer cop Nathan Garcia!”

Compton described Arzola’s murder: “Officer Garcia leapt out of an unmarked police car, drew his gun, and chased Albert towards his home. He then dragged Albert backwards by his hoodie and shot him in the back.” As Compton continued with his speech, the crowd of over 50 people yelled “Shame!” making sure the police drone that was flying around could hear them.

The next speaker came up and stated: “My name is Rosie Camacho, the mother of Albert Arzola. I’m here seeking justice, and accountability from the killer cop who murdered my son. He’s still here in the police department, harassing kids, harassing my son, and coming to my house. He tried to get me arrested.”

Camacho continued, “I want him arrested. I want transparency, we need a change. They killed my son, they murdered him in front of me. We don’t want killer cops, we need accountability.” Rosie’s emotions ran high, and that influenced the crowd for the rest of the evening.

Other family members of Arzola spoke as well.

“My name is Leslie Lopez, I’m the older cousin of Albert. The moment we received the news all I can think is, there is no way they killed my baby cousin. In those moments every memory rushes through your mind. The summers we spent together, the family quinceaneras, river trips, and all the laughter we shared. In an instant, Nathan Garcia took all those future memories away from me and my family.”

Compton wrapped up with, “That is why CSO fights for community control of the police. We all know the police can’t police themselves. They are spineless little cowards who would rather shoot first then be held accountable for their actions. They are so fucking scared of being thrown into a prison cell that they have to constantly demonize their victims in order for their murder to be seen as justified.” The protesters followed with chants of “Justice for Albert Arzola!”

As the protest neared its end, the energy was at its peak. Loud and angry chants of “Fuck Anaheim PD!” and “Fuck Nathan Garcia!” closed out the protest.

After the protest, family, friends and members of CSO OC gathered in front of the house where Albert Arzola was killed. There, memories were shared as people honored his life.

Grace Arzola, Albert’s aunt said, “He would be down for any trip, even if it meant going from here to Lake Tahoe, down to San Francisco, back to here. All in all it took us three days.” Grace then said a prayer. “Lord, we thank you for the life of Albert, we thank you for the good memories, we thank you for bringing him into our lives.”

To finish out the vigil, a moment of silence was held which was led by Arzola’s mother, Rosie. They held a balloon release while Albert’s favorite song played in the background. Overall, the vigil was somber, but with family and friends sharing laughs and funny stories as they reminisced on the life of Albert.

#AnaheimCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #CSOOC #Featured

Santa Ana, CA – 28 people, including residents of Coach Royal Mobile Home Park, families impacted by police killings, and members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC), flooded Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday, May 19.

Outside the chamber, CSO OC’s Immigration Committee rallied to demand Kingsley Corporation get out of Coach Royal Mobile Home Park.

Inside the chamber, CSO’s Police Accountability Committee delivered their petition demanding that Santa Ana Police Department Officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired for killing Noe Rodriguez. May 19 was the anniversary of Rodriguez’s birthday.

Coach Royal resident Karla Alvarado said, “We had our rent stabilization meeting almost a month ago, and we are asking for the video of that event, and the city is trying to deny us access to it!” At that meeting, Kingsley denied residents access to Spanish interpretation or designated witnesses, and they barred observers from entering the meeting. But protests from residents forced city staff to “realize” that residents were entitled to these rights.

“¡Fuera Kingsley! ¡Fuera Kingsley!” chants were heard inside the chamber as people outside rallied. Santa Ana city staff tried drowning them out by raising the volume of the outdoor TV, but these backfired and caused residents to shout even louder.

Inside the chamber, Mayor Valerie Amezcua tried to silence the people, reading the city attorney’s statement which said there was nothing the city could do about Kingsley Corporation. Boos from the audience interrupted her. Threatening to stop the meeting, Amezcua slandered Coach Royal residents, claiming without evidence that they “had turned to making threats and acting physically aggressive with our city staff.”

Then the city council voted to limit public comment to one minute. Boos filled the chamber as Councilmembers Valerie Amezcua, Jessie Lopez, Phil Bacerra and Thai Viet Phan voted to silence the public.

CSO OC member Matthew Compton said, “You guys are really fucking scared of the Coach Royal people, and it’s really fucking shameful that you decided to cut it to one minute. Including you, Jessie! The Arzolas are sitting right there and they saw your bullshit. They canvassed for you and they supported you.”

The family of Albert Arzola, who was killed by Anaheim PD officer Nathan Garcia on December 1, 2025, has supported Lopez’s State Assembly run for weeks, because her opponent, Santa Ana Councilmember David Penaloza, is a loyal servant of the police.

Erika Armenta, the widow of Noe Rodriguez, approached the podium. On either side of her, CSO OC members held signs showing hundreds of petition signatures. As of May 21st, the petition stood at 638 signatures. It can be signed here.

Armenta said, “It has now been 504 days since December 1, 2024, since Officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra took the life of my daughters' father, Noe Rodriguez, in a hail of bullets; yet you have done nothing to fire them – you only seek excuses. The mayor, in particular, takes it upon herself to protect them, publicly offering her support to these so-called ‘peace officers’ without regard for the pain this causes us, those of us who have lost a loved one.”

Armenta held her phone to the microphone and shared a recording of her daughter’s voice. Her daughter said, “I am sad because today, it is my father’s birthday and I cannot hug him. I am frustrated because they stole his life, and the ones who did this continue to walk free.” Armenta held up a painting as the recording continued, “I made this drawing to remember his beautiful memory.”

As Armenta spoke, Councilmember Thai Viet Phan stared into space and ate yogurt.

David Pulido, a CSO OC member, said, “We are here today to present the early results of our petition for Justice for Noe Rodriguez.” Pulido continued, saying “Today would have been his birthday! And you robbed that time from him!” As the city cut his microphone, Pulido demanded Police Chief Robert Rodriguez fire the killer cops and led chants of “Luis Casillas? Lock him up! Isaac Ibarra? Lock him up!” Chants filled the chamber and the audience drowned out the mayor, forcing her to wait.

Guadalupe Barragan, a Coach Royal resident who has been fighting against Kingsley’s abuse for years, countered the mayor’s slanderous statement about Coach Royal residents. She pointed directly at Amezcua and said, “Hopefully you have proof of everything you just said, making accusations of my family! You know me, that we are working-class people. Yes, we are angry! Because Kingsley has been stealing our homes!”

CSO OC member Diana Terreros took the mic, saying, “It’s a shame that you are trying to slander the Coach Royal residents and saying that they’re threatening city staff. We have a video that shows that during their hearing, city staff was trying to put hands on them and trying to push out their supporters.” Terreros said, “You guys keep telling them to sue Kingsley, to submit their petitions, and do this and that on an individual basis. What we’re asking is for this to be treated as the systemic issue that it is. Everywhere that Kingsley is across the country, these issues are happening. It will not be solved by an individual lawsuit. Shame on you guys for doing absolutely nothing!”

As the public was leaving, city staff shamefully served Karla Alvarado a restraining order filed by a city staff employee named Maricela Marquez, who was present at the April 29 Rent Stabilization Division meeting. Alvarado will appear in court on May 29.

These attacks will not stop CSO OC from fighting alongside the people. We demand Kingsley out of Santa Ana! We demand killer cops Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired!

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CSOOC #Housing

Anaheim, CA – On May 5, Community Service Organization (CSO OC) along with the family of Albert Arzola mobilized to Anaheim City Council to demand that killer cop Nathan Garcia be fired from Anaheim Police Department. When the family and CSO OC arrived, they came with signs that read “Fire killer cop Nathan Garcia.” The city council was visibly shaken and rattled by the signs.

Pearl Arzola opened her comment with, “It has been five months, and you have not given us anything but a name, but that name is still patrolling our neighborhood. Officer Garcia is not a part of a gang unit, so why is he allowed to patrol in an unmarked car terrorizing the whole community?” Arzola followed with “I get really bad anxiety attacks and so does my sister in-law, and you guys just continue to not care. You guys continue to pay this person. You need to fire him immediately.”

Arzola, who works in healthcare talked about the night of Albert’s murder, “If I would’ve done any necessary measures I could’ve saved my brother’s life, but I couldn’t because your officer was pointing a gun at me saying get the fuck inside.”

Pearl’s comment set the tone. The Arzola family, CSO OC members, and other city council attendees chanted “Fire him! Fire him!” and “Fire Nathan Garcia!”. The crowd was very emotional and angry all night.

Leslie Lopez, a cousin of Albert Arzola, called out a city council member by saying, “Norma [Campos Kurtz] isn’t here, but I wanted to congratulate her because she still has a killer cop working within her district. We know this because we saw him. About a month ago he was at a raid within the same neighborhood where the officers were high-fiving him like it was a celebration that he was back. There is nothing to celebrate.”

Lopez continued, speaking about the night of Albert’s murder. “Matt Sutter, the public information officer stated there were 12 people detained. I want to show you the 12 people detained.” Lopez then proceeded to show images on her iPad, many of whom were children. On the live video, the city officials turned the camera away from Leslie in an attempt to hide information. Leslie then followed with “Statements were made that night. When the officers needed to move Albert they said, ‘let's drag his ass.’”

Throughout the whole night, the Arzola family yelled “Shame!” and rang bells to create noise and disruption. The noise fell on heartless ears, as did the very emotionally heavy comments of the family.

Grace Arzola stated “It’s Cinco De Mayo and I want to share a song that reminds me of my nephew. I actually listen to this song every day on my way to work. It says that when two souls truly love each other, no matter how far apart they are they will never stop loving one another. That's why, beautiful sky when I die, don’t stop loving me.” Grace continued “I will never stop loving my nephew. Until the minute I stop taking my last breath I will miss him dearly.” Grace's comment moved everyone in that room. She said it with tears in her eyes and every person felt it.

She followed her comment with “I’m not sure if you guys read the LA Times report, but Nathan Garcia had a previous incident of excessive force with a 14-year-old. If the kid’s parents had done what Nathan Garcia did, the kid would be in foster care. He profiles young Chicano males. If officer Garcia had been held accountable for that incident then my nephew would still be alive.”

David Pulido, a CSO OC member, went into further detail. “On June 27, 2024 Nathan Garcia and his partner brutally arrested an unarmed 14-year-old Chicano. They drove their knees into his back, fractured a rib, and kicked him in the genitals.” Pulido continued with “This is why we fight for community control of the police. We should have direct authority over the police and who is hired, fired and how they are disciplined.” Pulido brought a lot of anger and frustration with his comment, he continued by saying “We demand the public release of all body cam footage; we demand the release of the autopsy report, we demand that killer cop Nathan Garcia be fired!”

Donna Nelson, who’s 21-year-old son was murdered by Anaheim Police on July 22, 2012, stated, “12 months prior to the killing of my son, the Anaheim Police Department also killed David Raya, Marcel Ceja, Bernie Villegas, Rosco Cambridge, Martin Hernandez, Manuel Diaz. All within one year. In 2014 it started up again. I picture the bodies piled up here, and they kept piling, and more and more families kept coming here asking for change. We have all these layers of oversight that doesn’t do anything.” She continued, “In 2016 Gustavo Nejera was killed by officer German Alveraz who’s standing right by the door.”

After the comments ended, CSO OC members and friends and family of Albert Arzola confronted Alveraz who was standing outside the council chambers. David Pulido said this to him: “You killed a 22-year-old for what? For throwing sand?” A coworker of Albert said, “You're the only gang here, and can kill people and get away with it.” Alveraz didn’t have much to say, but he was visibly shaken. He showed no remorse for his killing of Gustavo.

Throughout the whole night, residents of Anaheim, and other impacted families alike spoke in support of the Arzola family's demand to fire Nathan Garcia from the force. The entire chamber erupted in chants, yelling at the council and Anaheim Police Chief Manny Cid to fire killer cop Nathan Garcia. Many attendees who were there for other reasons rallied behind the demands. The community’s anger and distrust and ion with Anaheim PD grows stronger by the day.

#AnaheimCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #KillerCop #NathanGarcia

Santa Ana, CA – On May 1, nearly 300 people packed into Sasscer Park for International Workers’ Day. The rally and march, which also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the immigrant mega marches, was organized by the Orange County May Day Coalition. The energy in the crowd grew as the emcee of the rally, Abe Quintana from Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) led chants of “ICE out of Santa Ana! ICE out of OC!”

Michelle Ceballos from UAW started by emphasizing “the wealthy have extracted more and more profit from us, kept our wages low, raised prices, and bought out our politicians! It doesn’t have to be this way! May Day reminds us that when we fight, we win!”

Speaking on the immigrant mega marches 20 years ago Ceballos added, “In 2006, on a Day Without an Immigrant, millions hit the streets to defeat an anti-immigrant law, and won. In January, hundreds of thousands across the U.S. shut it down, to get ICE to back off. Today, people joined the call to shut it down again, to keep building momentum for a mass movement!”

Erika Armenta, the wife of Noe Rodriguez, a man who was killed by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) is also a member of CSO OC. Armenta told the crowd, “We need community control of the police to ensure that officers who have taken the lives of our loved ones face consequences-specifically, that they be fired and subsequently imprisoned. They must be held accountable for the lives they have unjustly snatched away!”

Armenta also spoke of CSO OC’s fight for immigrant rights, “Our Immigration Committee works with the working-class immigrants of the Coach Royal mobile home park who are fighting unjust evictions and abuse from Kingsley Management Corporation.”

Hussein Imreish from the Palestinian Youth Movement said,“ For the past two years we have seen how essential the labor movement is for Palestine. Through our campaigns such as Mask of Maersk and the Peoples Arms Embargo we have connected with principled and dedicated workers who reject the imperialist forces inflicting violence and exploiting our people.”

Diana Terreros from Freedom Road Socialist Organization Orange County (FRSO OC) kicked off her speech by saying, “Immigrants are super exploited to increase the profits of the billionaires.” Terreros spoke about the local example of Kingsley. “They do illegal terrible things to the residents all for profit and then count on the residents being too afraid to fight back due to their status. They have even threatened to call ICE on them! Shame!” Terreros finished with a call to action by saying, “We are an organization of fighters working shoulder to shoulder with the working class and have a real strategy to build a united front against these capitalists and you should join us in this fight!”

Gaby Hernandez from Chicanos Unidos stated, “We have worked heavily and led the campaign against gang injunctions. Gang injunctions create prisons in our communities without walls.” Hernandez added that “We started fighting against injunctions in 2006 and just a few months ago we were able to shut down injunctions here in Orange County!”

At the height of the rally, the large crowd started marching. The protesters stopped traffic, fully taking over the road, chanting “ICE out of OC!”, “Donald Trump, let’s be clear! Immigrants are welcome here!” and “Jail killer cops!” throughout downtown as the crowd filled the busy streets.

The crowd held up signs saying “No Ice! Stop the deportations,” “Workers Forever, CEOs never” and “Fight for workers' and immigrants’ rights” while passing cars gave honks of support.

While marching, David Pulido, a member of FRSO OC and a chant leader for the march, brought attention to the parking lot where 73-year-old Miguel Chavez was brutally arrested by the SAPD in 2022. “They shot him with less-lethal rounds and sicced a K-9 dog at him! He later died from his wounds!” This started powerful chants of “Justice for Miguel Chavez!” and “Jail killer cops!”

This OC May Day coalition was comprised of and included organizers from CSO OC, OC DSA, FRSO OC, UAW, Harbor Institute, El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Code Pink OC, OC Peace Coalition, CHIRLA, Orange County Banner Drop, OC Mutual Aid, Chicanos Unidos, Palestinian Youth Movement Orange County Environmental Justice, General Strike US, Nuestras Manos, Santa Ana Lucha, Santa Ana Active Streets, Save Orange Hills, Green Party of OC, Union de Barrio, VietRISE and Climate Action Campaign and.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #MayDay #InternationalWorkersDay #ImmigrantRights #Labor #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – El martes 21 de abril, los residentes del parque de casas móviles Coach Royal exigieron que Kingsley Management Corporation se retire de su parque. La Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC) se unió a ellos para exigir que el Concejo Municipal intervenga ante años de acoso, desalojos injustos, robo de viviendas e intimidación por parte de la corporación. Este abuso resultó en el suicidio de la residente María Pedraza, cuya vivienda estaba en proceso de serle arrebatada después de años de sacrificios para comprarla.

Karla Alvarado, una de las residentes a quien le robaron su vivienda, declaró: “La ciudad de Santa Ana ya se ha reunido con 45 residentes que pueden dar testimonio de esto. 45 residentes y contando. Hemos hablado con personas de múltiples parques. Las historias son iguales, las tácticas son iguales y los resultados también. Esa es la definición de un problema sistémico.”

Lupe Barragán, residente y organizadora, miró y señaló directamente a cada miembro del concejo mientras hablaba. “¡Necesitan responder! Phil Bacerra, tú trataste de intimidarnos cuando fuimos a tu oficina. Tú, Jonathan Hernández, necesitamos que nos respondas también. Fuiste y nos apoyaste, y necesitamos más de tu apoyo. City Manager, necesitamos de tu ayuda. Valerie Amezcua, sé que mi presencia no te agrada, pero nos dijiste que ibas a sacar las armas grandes. ¡Te estamos esperando!” Mientras se retiraba, la alcaldesa Amezcua se río de ella. Barragán se dio la vuelta, señaló a Amezcua y la reprendió por su falta de respeto.

Sylvia Ayala, otra residente, le dijo al consejo: “Tengo 40 años aquí y nunca he recibido alguna ayuda de ustedes. Porque ustedes no se preocupan por el pueblo; ustedes se preocupan por ustedes mismos. Trabajan, ciertamente. Pero nosotros tenemos que trabajar todavía más que ustedes. Las humillaciones que nos hacen los que tienen dinero no son justas.”

Mientras los residentes hablaban, miembros de CSO OC y residentes desplegaron una pancarta que decía: “¡Kingsley fuera!”. La cámara comenzó a cambiar de ángulo con frecuencia para evitar mostrar la pancarta en la pantalla. En un momento dado, cuatro agentes de la policía de Santa Ana se acercaron a los organizadores y les indicaron que debían trasladarse a la parte trasera si iban a sostener una pancarta, a pesar de que nadie se había quejado de tener la visibilidad obstruida.

Cuando Rain Mendoza, de CSO OC, subió para hablar durante el turno de comentarios públicos, primero alzó la pancarta y le dijo al consejo que la mirara y la mostrara ante las cámaras.

Mendoza respondió a la frecuente postura del consejo de que no pueden hacer nada porque el parque es propiedad privada, diciendo: “Ustedes demandaron a El Centro Cultural de México, un pilar de esta comunidad, para así poder utilizar a sus policías para tirar a la basura las pertenencias de las personas sin hogar y expulsarlas de un lugar donde los propietarios privados les habían permitido permanecer. Entonces, ¿pueden hacer todo eso y utilizar los tribunales, la policía y todos sus recursos para aterrorizar a una comunidad sumamente vulnerable, pero no pueden mover un solo dedo cuando hay una empresa que opera en Santa Ana y que actúa como una banda de matones? ¡Debería darles vergüenza!”

Diana Terreros, de CSO OC, recordó al consejo que los residentes de Coach Royal son, en su mayoría, inmigrantes de clase trabajadora quienes sus hogares constituyen su refugio durante la administración Trump. Terreros declaró: “Las acciones de Kingsley van en contra del espíritu de toda la ordenanza de ciudad santuario. Están explotando el miedo de los inmigrantes en Santa Ana. Esperan que ese miedo sea suficiente para obligar a los residentes a mantener la cabeza baja y la boca cerrada. Están explotando a esta comunidad y su temor para aumentar sus ganancias, robándoles sus hogares. Se trata de una corporación multimillonaria de Utah. ¿Por qué permitimos que exploten a Santa Ana de esta manera?”

Otro miembro de CSO OC resumió los cientos de miles de dólares que los grupos que representan a los propietarios de parques de casas móviles han donado en contra de la campaña a favor de la Ordenanza de Estabilización de Alquileres y Desalojo por Causa Justa, la cual fue aprobada en octubre de 2021. También han realizado donaciones a las campañas de los miembros del concejo. Él preguntó a los concejales: “¿Es esto lo que influye en sus frecuentes respuestas de que no hay nada que puedan hacer para hacer cumplir la ley ante lo que ustedes saben que son actos injustos e ilegales cometidos por Kingsley contra los residentes de Coach Royal?”

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