Los Ángeles, CA – El 8 de marzo, más de 150 personas se reunieron en el Ayuntamiento de Boyle Heights para asistir a la novena celebración anual del Día Internacional de la Mujer organizada por Centro CSO. El evento de este año contó con puestos de comida y un panel de conversación con oradoras de las diferentes áreas de trabajo de Centro CSO, como inmigración, educación y brutalidad policial. La Dra. Rocío Rivas, miembro de la junta directiva del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Los Ángeles (LAUSD) que defiende a la segunda jurisdicción escolar más grande del país contra la privatización, fue la oradora principal del evento.

Jenny Bekenstein, miembro de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad, explicó cómo el Día Internacional de la Mujer se desarrolló en paralelo a la lucha contra el capitalismo y la explotación de los trabajadores. Bekenstein, quien también es miembro del sindicato Teamsters en UPS, dijo, “¡El Día Internacional de la Mujer tiene una historia de mujeres que se enfrentaron a sus jefes, organizaron huelgas, salieron a las calles y lucharon contra la opresión!”

Centro CSO también destacó las demandas de derechos reproductivos para todas, el fin de la violencia de género, la liberación LGBTQ, igual salario por igual trabajo, la legalización para todos y el fin de los crímenes policiales.

Luego, el público escuchó a un panel de activistas que incluyó a Isabella Rivera, madre de Jeremy Flores, quien fue asesinado por la policía de LAPD en la división Hollenbeck en 2025; Antonieta García, copresidenta del comité de educación de CSO, quien organiza la lucha contra la expansión de las escuelas charter en el Este de Los Ángeles; Destiny Martínez, activista del sindicato Teamsters en UPS; y Verita Topete, activista por los derechos de los inmigrantes y copresidenta del Comité de Inmigración de CSO.

Las panelistas compartieron cómo comenzaron en el activismo y cómo es ser mujeres que luchan por causas como la educación pública, la justicia contra los crímenes policiales, los derechos de los inmigrantes y el trabajo dentro del movimiento laboral.

Verita Topete, cuyo padre estuvo detenido durante muchos años en el Centro de Detención de Adelanto, dijo, “Centro CSO organizó un hermoso evento por el Día Internacional de la Mujer que creó un espacio para pequeños negocios locales de mujeres chicanas y reunió a un poderoso panel de chicanas que realizan un trabajo importante en sus comunidades. Escuchamos a mujeres que se organizan por la rendición de cuentas policial, la educación, los derechos laborales y de los inmigrantes. Fue un honor compartir espacio con mujeres que están en la primera línea de estas luchas. El salón estaba lleno de mujeres que se fueron sintiéndose vistas, apoyadas y empoderadas”.

Cuando se le preguntó sobre el evento, Kate Regan, moderadora del panel, maestra de escuela pública y activista, dijo, “El Día Internacional de la Mujer no solo es motivo de celebración, sino también un importante llamado a la acción. Nuestro evento fue una hermosa muestra de agradecimiento por el trabajo que ya se ha realizado, y también una fuente de inspiración alegre para las mujeres y niñas que aún no han encontrado su voz única en la lucha. Nos empoderamos mutuamente al compartir nuestras historias de fuerza y resiliencia”.

La Dra. Rocío Rivas, miembro de la junta directiva del LAUSD y una fuerte aliada de Centro CSO cerró el evento reconociendo las contribuciones de las mujeres a la protección de la educación pública contra la privatización. Rivas se postula para la reelección este año y ha recibido el respaldo de Centro CSO debido a sus esfuerzos para detener el crecimiento de las escuelas charter.

Centro CSO invita a todas las personas que quieran luchar contra la agenda racista y reaccionaria de Trump a su reunión general mensual a las 6 p.m. en el Ayuntamiento de Boyle Heights.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #CentroCSO #WomensMovement #InternationalWomensDay

Los Ángeles, CA – El 12 de marzo, después de casi un mes de lucha por parte de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Centro (CSO Centro) los cargos falsos contra Sergio Flores fueron retirados. Después de la reunión general de CSO el 18 de febrero, Flores fue arrestado violentamente por la división Hollenbeck del LAPD, junto con dos otros miembros de CSO.

Sergio Flores es el hermano mayor de Jeremy Anthony Flores, quien fue asesinado por agentes de la división Hollenbeck de LAPD el 14 de julio de 2025. Jeremy estaba desarmado cuando fue abatido de disparos por LAPD. Su cuerpo fue dejado al sol caliente del verano durante horas, antes de que médicos legistas lo retiraran. Mas tarde, mintiendo sobre los hechos, LAPD ha justificado el asesinato sin sentido. La familia Flores y CSO Centro han exigido justicia para Jeremy Flores, organizando protestas y manifestaciones ante la estación de LAPD Hollenbeck.

La noche del 18 de febrero, LAPD identificó y golpeó a la familia de Jeremey Anthony Flores y múltiples miembros de CSO. Respondiendo con armas desenfundadas a una crisis de salud mental fuera del lugar de la reunión, LAPD no permitió a los miembros de CSO salir. Mientras los miembros preguntaban si podían ir en sus autos y volver a casa, LAPD los golpeó y apuñaló con bastones, dejando moretones muy grandes.

“El arresto de Sergio Flores el 18 de febrero fue absolutamente innecesario,” dijo Jocelyn Ortega, la esposa de Sergio Flores. “Las tácticas de agresión e intimidación que condujeron a violencia física y el arresto de Sergio fueron injustos y un abuso de poder.”

El arresto y los cargos presentados contra Sergio Flores fueron tácticas de intimidación utilizadas por el LAPD para aterrorizar a CSO e impedir que usaran sus voces para luchar por la justicia.

CSO se movilizó para liberar a los CSO 3. Protestaron muchas veces ante la estación de LAPD Hollenbeck para exigir la liberación de sus miembros y que se retiraran los cargos. Organizaron campañas de llamadas al fiscal del distrito y al fiscal municipal demandando que se retiraran los cargos. Cuando no fueron liberados, CSO dirigió el apoyo judicial a sus miembros. Sin dar marcha atrás ante la represión política, resistieron de manera pública y en voz alta.

El 12 de marzo, Sergio Flores tenía una cita programada en el tribunal. CSO pronto se enteró de que ni el fiscal del distrito ni el fiscal municipal iban a hacerse cargo del caso contra Sergio Flores, lo que significaba que el intento de LAPD de silenciar a CSO fracasó y que no tenían justificación para acusar a Flores. Los dos otros miembros de CSO tampoco tenían cargos y también están libres.

Jocelyn Ortega, la esposa de Flores que asistió a la audiencia, dijo, “El arresto y los cargos presentados contra Sergio Flores fueron una táctica de intimidación utilizada por LAPD para aterrorizar a los manifestantes pacíficos de CSO. Trataron de impedirnos usar nuestras voces y luchar por la justicia. Los cargos presentados contra Sergio fueron retirados debido a la exageración de la verdad, que mostró de manera clara que él no hizo nada malo.

Es importante notar que, aunque los CSO 3 están libres y sin cargo, las autoridades todavía podrían imponerles cargos en cualquier momento. Para unirse a CSO, envíales un mensaje en línea o asiste a sus reuniones públicas mensuales. Las reuniones generales son cada tercer miércoles del mes, a las 6 de la tarde, en el Ayuntamiento de Boyle Heights (la entrada de atrás).

¡Lucha y Resiste! entrevistó a Sergio Flores y esto es lo que tenía que decir.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Qué te enfurece más de lo que ocurrió el 18 de febrero?

Sergio Flores: Algo que me enfurece del 18 fue la manera en que fuimos atacados y asaltados por LAPD, desde los niños hasta los adultos.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Cómo ha sido pasar por esta injusticia?

Flores: Soportar esta batalla es estresante, porque sabemos que el sistema siempre va apoyar a sus departamentos corrompidos. ¡Pero cuando luchamos, ganamos!

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Cómo fue estar encarcelado por LAPD Hollenbeck?

Flores: Estar encarcelado por LAPD para mí no fue el fin del mundo porque siempre me enseñaron a defender a las personas que son atacadas como lo hicieron con nuestra gente, pero al mismo tiempo tienes que estar alerta todo el tiempo porque no sabes lo que están pensando, ponerte la mano encima o lo que sea.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Por qué piensas que no te presentaron cargos?

Flores: Pienso que no me presentaron cargos porque fueron cargos falsos desde el principio. ¡Saben que fueron ellos quienes empezaron con la violencia! Y mientras ellos usaron bastones, nosotros usamos nuestras palabras y voces.

¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Qué consejo les darías a otros en situaciones parecidas e injustas, como la tuya?

Flores: Mi consejo para los demás es no tener miedo de los puercos. Defiendan lo que creen. Abran los ojos al nivel de corrupción que hay en los departamentos de policía de Los Ángeles e involúcrense con una organización, porque estas son nuestras calles y vemos lo que pasa– ellos no nos protegen. Nosotros nos protegemos.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #CSO #CentroCSO #SergioFlores #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities

Los Angeles, CA – On Sunday, March 15, the People’s Care Collective (PCC), hosted an event on the steps of LA General Medical Center calling attention to the many violations of health and human rights that Los Angeles hospitals have enabled. ICE and local law enforcement have entered health care facilities trampling on the rights of immigrants and their families.

Members of Centro CSO, Union del Barrio, Justice LA Coalition, California Immigrant Policy Center, and People’s Care Collective all spoke truth at the steps of power to demand that LA hospitals must stop prioritizing the interests of police, ICE, and insurance companies over protecting patients who seek care, regardless of their immigration status.

In October of 2025, whistleblowers exposed that that ICE agents were allegedly terrorizing detainee patients at White Memorial, a Boyle Heights Adventist hospital, by violating their right to privacy and HIPAA laws, denying them the ability to make their own medical care decisions, and interfering with hospital staff who tried to connect detainees with their families.

In response, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) in consultation with the county counsel to develop and implement consistent guidelines governing “blackout” and law enforcement contact policies with clear provisions regarding their applicability to patients detained by federal immigration authorities.

Unfortunately, that policy was developed without any input from frontline health workers or community members and remains “under review” despite DHS’s goal of full implementation by the end of February 2026.

PCC and supporting organizations are demanding LA County hospital administrators adopt the Model Policy for Immigration Enforcement in the Healthcare Settings developed by the Physician Working Group on Patient Safety in collaboration with the ACLU of Southern California, California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC), Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Immigrant Defenders Law Center, and SEIU UHW, which enshrines patients’ legal rights to privacy, to legal counsel, and to family visitation.

“We are here today because all of these systems – immigration detention, mass incarceration, and genocide – are part of the same machinery that treats certain lives as disposable. And too often, the medical industrial complex is complicit in that harm, “ said M, a Los Angeles medical student and organizer with the People’s Care Collective. “Hospitals should be places of care and healing, but until our institutions refuse to collaborate with the systems that cage and kill people, they remain part of the same structure of violence we are here to break down today. We say that enough is enough.”

“Protect your patients. Stand with the community you serve. Healthcare should never be at the risk of detention, isolation or deportation,” said Centro CSO’s Verita Topete, “Today we also seek justice for Ruben Ray Martinez, who was killed by ICE in Texas on March 15, 2024. His life mattered and his family deserves answers. His death is part of a larger crisis. This year alone, eleven people have died in ICE. custody. Eleven people that should still be with their families and communities.”

By shedding light on the injustice and crimes committed by ICE and local law enforcement inside the halls of healing spaces, PCC and supporting organizations are helping to further unite the community against the harm being done to it at the hands of government.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #ICE

East Los Angeles, CA – On March 14, the family of David Ordaz Jr. held a protest and a vigil to commemorate the five-year anniversary since David was executed by four East LA Sheriff's deputies during a mental health crisis.

Gathered at Belvedere Lake Park, David’s family, Centro CSO, along with allies and other impacted families, rallied, then marched to the East LA Sheriff’s Station, before running to Belvedere Lake to hold a vigil for David with a table for candles and pictures to honor his life and demand justice.

On March 14, 2021, the family of David Ordaz, Jr. called 911 to get him help as he was under mental distress and talking about suicide. ELA Sheriff’s deputies – including Remin Pineda, Edwin Navarrete, Jaime Romero and Nathaniel Trujillo – arrived at the scene outside of the Ordaz family home in East Los Angeles.

The ELA sheriff’s station, the home of the Banditos sheriff gang, is known for its aggressive behavior and long history of killing Chicano men. Although they were aware of Ordaz Jr.’s mental state, the deputies gunned him down as his family watched in shock. While the department says that Ordaz Jr. charged at the deputies with a knife, footage recorded by a neighbor shows that he did not pose a threat.

Jazmine Moreno, mother of David Ordaz’s three children, stated, “When the sheriffs responded to the call they immediately drew their guns,” said Moreno, recalling what happened the day David was killed. “With no regard for his life or any of the rest of our family who are standing next to him, these cowardly deputies began shooting rubber bullets and within a second fired live rounds.”

In 2022, former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon charged Pineda with two felonies: assault with a firearm and assault under color of authority. However, Pineda walked free without serving any prison time for Ordaz’s murder. It turned out Mark Arnold, a biased judge who was a former sheriff deputy himself, with a son currently in law enforcement, merely sentenced Pineda to two years’ probation. The judge claimed Pineda “didn’t go out with the intent to kill.” The facts are clear: David was shot already bleeding and lying on the ground. Pineda walked up and fired the final fatal bullet at close range. That was an execution. T

he Ordaz family presented demands throughout the event that included, “DA Hochman or Attorney General Rob Bonta: Reopen the investigation into Deputy Nathaniel Trujillo and Jamie Romero,” and “California Attorney General Rob Bonta: Conduct an investigation into the trial of Remin Pineda for bias. Judge Mark S. Arnold is a former LASD deputy and his son is currently with the Department.”

Stephanie Luna, aunt of 21-year-old Anthony Daniel Vargas who was killed by the East LA Sheriffs in 2018, shared words and condolences on behalf of the Check the Sheriff’s coalition. “We are not only gathered here in the memory of David Ordaz but for the pursuit of justice that his life demanded,” Luna said. Citing Judge Mark Arnold’s background, she continued, “Justice cannot exist when there is a conflict of interest, justice cannot exist where bias is ignored.”

At the kick-off rally, Luis Sifuentes of Centro CSO and Carlos Montes of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke about how David’s killing is an example of the national oppression that Chicanos experience within the Southwest.

Ali Rubinfeld with the Loyola Anti-Racism Center and the Check the Sheriff’s coalition, said, “It is wrong that when the police kill, the criminal legal system seeks out reason to justify their behavior and allows them to act with impunity.” Rubinfield demanded, “We need impartial and independent review of police violence and misconduct that can yield real accountability and justice for impacted families.”

After the speeches, the crowd marched to the East LA Sheriff station chanting, “Jail killer cops,” “Justice for David Ordaz Jr!” “Sin justicia no hay paz!” In anticipation for the crowd, the station set up yellow police lines taped across the perimeter and three squad cars parked with six deputies. Confrontation ensued between the crowd and cops reminding them that justice is still wanting.

The crowd eventually regrouped at the rally point to start the vigil and hear from the families of Jeremy Flores (killed by LAPD in 2025) and David Sullivan (killed by Buena Park PD in 2019), who spoke in solidarity with the Ordaz family.

Five years since that tragic day, the family of David Ordaz Jr have not only fought for justice in his case but also became leading fighters in the struggle against LASD and LAPD terror. His family has led multiple protests outside of the ELA Sheriff’s station, attended with Centro CSO the Second National Conference of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and helped organize the victory of Measure A to bring greater accountability to LASD.

#EastLosAngelesCA #LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA — On March 12, after nearly a month of struggle by Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) the bogus charges on Sergio Flores were dropped. After CSO’s general meeting on February 18, Flores was violently arrested by LAPD Hollenbeck along with two other CSO members.

Sergio Flores is the older brother of Jeremy Anthony Flores, who was killed by LAPD Hollenbeck Division cops on July 14, 2025. Jeremey Flores was unarmed when he was gunned down by LAPD. His body was left out in the hot summer sun for hours, before coroners removed it. Later lying about the facts, LAPD has justified the senseless killing. The Flores family and Centro CSO have demanded justice for Jeremy Flores, leading rallies and protests at the LAPD Hollenbeck station.

On the night of February 18, the LAPD targeted and beat the family of Jeremy Anthony Flores and multiple CSO members. Responding with guns drawn to a mental health crisis outside of the meeting place, LAPD did not allow CSO members to leave. As members asked if they could get to their cars and go home, LAPD hit and jabbed them with batons, leaving very large bruises.

“The arrest of Sergio Flores on February 18 was absolutely unnecessary,” said Jocelyn Ortega, the wife of Sergio Flores. “The aggression and intimidation tactics which led to physical violence and the arrest made to Sergio, were unjust and an abuse of power.”

The arrest and charges brought upon Sergio Flores were intimidation tactics used by LAPD to scare CSO to stop them from using their voices to fight for justice.

CSO mobilized to free the CSO 3. They protested many times at the LAPD Hollenbeck Station to demand the release of their members and for the charges to be dropped. They organized call-ins to the district attorney and the city attorney demanding that they drop the charges. When they weren’t released, CSO led court support of their members. Not backing down in the face of political repression, they publicly and loudly fought back.

On March 12, Sergio Flores had a scheduled court date. CSO quickly learned that neither the district attorney nor city attorney were picking up the case against Sergio Flores, meaning LAPD’s attempt to silence CSO had failed and they had no justification to charge Flores. The other two CSO members similarly had no charges either and are also free.

Jocelyn Ortega, the wife of Flores who attended the court appearance, said, “The arrest and charges brought upon Sergio Flores was the intimidation tactic used by LAPD to scare the peaceful protesters from Centro. They tried to stop us from using our voices and from fighting for justice. The charges presented against Sergio were dropped due to the over exaggeration of the truth, which clearly showed he did no wrong.”

It is important to note that, while CSO 3 are free and uncharged, the authorities could still charge them at any point. To join CSO, send them a message online or attend their monthly, public meetings. General meetings are every third Wednesday of the month, 6 p.m. at Boyle Heights City Hall (back entrance).

Fight Back! interviewed Sergio Flores and this is what he had to say.

Fight Back!: What angers you about what happened on February 18?

Sergio Flores: Something that angers me about the 18th was the way we were attacked and assaulted by LAPD, from kids to adults.

Fight Back! What has it been like to go through this injustice?

Flores: To go through this battle is stressful, because we know the system will always back up its corrupt departments. But when we fight, we win!

Fight Back! What was it like being jailed by LAPD Hollenbeck?

Flores: Being jailed by LAPD for me wasn’t the end of the world because I was always taught to stand up for people being attacked like they did to our people, but at the same time you gotta be alert at all times because you don’t know what they’re thinking, to put hands on you or whatever the case may be.

Fight Back! Why do you think no charges were filed on you?

Flores: I think no charges were filed on me because they were bogus charges to begin with. They know they started with violence! And while they used batons, we used our words and voices.

Fight Back! What is your advice for others in similar and unjust situations, such as yours?

Flores: My advice for others is to not be afraid of the pigs. Stand up for what you believe in. Open your eyes to how much corruption there is in the Los Angeles police departments and to get involved with an organization, because these are our streets and we see what goes on – they don’t protect us We protect us.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – On March 8, over 150 people gathered at the Boyle Heights City Hall to attend Centro CSO’s ninth annual International Women’s Day celebration. This year’s event featured food vendors and a panel with speakers from Centro CSO’s different areas of work, such as immigration, education and police brutality. Dra. Rocio Rivas, an LAUSD school board member who defends the nation’s second largest district from privatization, served as the event’s keynote speaker.

Jenny Bekenstein, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, explained how International Women’s Day developed alongside the fight against capitalism and the exploitation of workers. Bekenstein, who is also a Teamster at UPS said, “International Women’s Day has a history of women standing up to their bosses, organizing strikes, taking people into the streets, and fighting back!”

Centro CSO also uplifted the demands of reproductive rights for all, an end to gender-based violence, liberation for LGBTQ, equal work for equal pay, legalization for all, and a stop to police crimes.

The audience then heard from a panel of activists including Isabella Rivera, the mother of Jeremy Flores who was killed by LAPD Hollenbeck in 2025; Antonieta Garcia, the co-chair of CSO’s education committee who organizes against the spread of charter schools in East LA; Destiny Martinez, a Teamster activist at UPS, and Verita Topete, an immigrant rights activist and co-chair of CSO’s Immigration Committee.

Panelists shared how they got involved in activism, and what it’s like to be women fighting for causes like public education, justice against police crimes, immigrant rights, and working in the labor movement.

Verita Topete, whose father was detained for many years at Adelanto Detention Center, said, “Centro CSO hosted a beautiful International Women’s Day event that created space for local Chicana-owned small businesses and brought together a powerful panel of Chicanas doing important work in their communities. We heard from women organizing around police accountability, education, labor and immigrant rights. It was an honor to share space with women who are on the frontlines of these fights. The room was filled with women who left feeling seen, supported and empowered.”

When asked about the event, panel moderator Kate Regan, a public school teacher and activist, said, “International Women’s Day is not just a cause for celebration, but also an important call to action. Our event was a beautiful display of appreciation for the work that has already been done, and also a joyous source of inspiration to the women and girls who have yet to find their unique voice in the struggle. We empower each other through sharing our stories of strength and resilience.”

Dra. Rocio Rivas, an LAUSD school board member and strong ally of Centro CSO, closed the event by recognizing women’s contributions to protecting public education from privatization. Rivas is running for re-election this year and has been endorsed by Centro CSO due to her efforts to stop the growth of charter schools.

Centro CSO invites all who want to fight back against Trump’s racist and reactionary agenda to its monthly general meeting at 6 p.m. at the Boyle Heights City Hall.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #WomensMovement #InternationalWomensDay #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – On Sunday, March 1, community members gathered at the Metro station on Soto and First Street for a rally to demand no war on Iran. Centro CSO called for the protest after Donald Trump initiated military attacks upon Iran the previous day.

Protesters waved signs reading, “We got money for war but can’t feed the poor” and “Raza si, guerra no” while chanting “No war on Iran.” Boyle Heights residents who drove by honked their horns in solidarity with the protesters.

Sol Marquez, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, denounced U.S. imperialism, “There have been casualties. 85 school children are now dead in Minab and this is a war that the U.S. decided to choose. People in the Middle East won’t live under U.S. domination and they're making that very clear.”

Marquez continued, “Revolutionaries need to be all out, the way they are today, uniting and saying no war on Iran! What the U.S. and Israel are doing to Iran is a crime and it needs to be judged accordingly.”

Alejandro Orellana, a member of Centro CSO and a military veteran, spoke about how the U.S. funnels Chicano youth into the military to fight wars for monopoly capitalism. Orellana was raided and arrested this summer by the FBI for his immigrant rights activism. Centro CSO organized successfully to drop his charges.

Carlos Montes, a member of Centro CSO and a longtime activist in the Chicano movement, explained the history of U.S. and Israeli intervention in Iran and Palestine. Montes said, “The Shah of Iran was in power for many years, a puppet of the U.S. supporting U.S. oil. The people rebelled against the Shah of Iran and had an Iranian revolution and overthrew the Shah of Iran. Iran is an independent sovereign nation and is not a puppet of the U.S.”

On Sunday, March 8, Centro CSO will be hosting its 9th annual International Women’s Day commemoration at 1 p.m. at Boyle Heights City Hall and invite all to attend.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Iran #CentroCSO

Los miembros de Centro CSO estaban saliendo de su reunión mensual cuando el LAPD respondió a una situación de salud mental. El incidente estaba directamente afuera del lugar de la reunión, que es en la alcaldía de Boyle Heights. Los miembros de CSO intentaban llegar a sus carros en el estacionamiento cuando el LAPD los paró de regresar a sus casas.

Tras salir de la alcaldía, el LAPD enfrentó a los miembros de CSO con agresión y los policías proclamaron que no se movieran. Un grupo de policías reconocieron a la hermana de 16 años de Jeremy Anthony Flores, y empezaron a acosarla y luego la arrestaron. Jeremy Flores fue disparado y asesinado por la misma división el 14 de julio de 2025. Además de eso, el hermano mayor de Flores, Sergio Flores, fue atacado y arrestado. El miembro de base de los Teamsters, Sam Carrera, también fue arrestado sin razón.

La madre de Jeremy Anthony Flores, Isabella Rivera, fue golpeada por un bastón de mando del LAPD, y fue empujada y detenida por los mismos policías que asesinaron a su hijo el verano pasado. Katherine Palma, quien es la hermana de Flores, fue tirada al piso por un grupo de policías del LAPD.

Centro CSO se movilizó inmediatamente y tuvieron una protesta al otro lado de la calle donde ocurrieron los arrestos, agrupándose en la División Hollenbeck del LAPD. Más de una docena de miembros gritaron y exigieron la liberación de sus miembros.

Centro CSO logró que la menor fuera liberada esa misma noche. La próxima mañana a las 7 a.m., Sergio Flores fue liberado. Sin embargo, un activista sigue detenido: Teamster y miembro de CSO, Sam Carrera. Está siendo acusado de resistencia al arresto, un cargo que es conocido por ser completamente vago.

Centro CSO está recaudando fondos para la fianza y el apoyo legal; puedes donar a través de Venmo “CentroCSO” o por Zelle: 323-580-3764

El Centro CSO hará una demostración de emergencia y una conferencia de prensa, el 19 de febrero a las 5 p.m. afuera de la estación de la División Hollenbeck del LAPD. ¡Exigimos la liberación de Sam Carrera y que retiren todos los cargos ahora!

#LosAngelesCA #CA #CentroCSO #L4A #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino

Los Angeles, CA – “Thank you to all for the support of the Teamster and beloved Centro CSO member Sam Carrera. Through the combined hard work, the LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman rejected the case against Carrera. Carrera was one of three arrested by LAPD on February 18,” noted a statement from the Chicano community group Centro Community Service Organization.

On the evening of February 18, LAPD Hollenbeck Division officers brutally assaulted and arrested multiple members of CSO. Sergio Flores, Sam Carrera and a minor individual were beaten with batons, shoved, and, without warning, arrested.

CSO members were leaving their monthly public meeting when LAPD responded to a mental health situation. The incident was directly outside of the meeting location, which is at Boyle Heights City Hall. A mentally ill man was holding a metal pipe and LAPD responded with weapons drawn and pointed at the man. After LAPD eventually arrested the man, CSO members were trying to get to their cars in the parking lot when the LAPD prevented them from going home. When tension rose between LAPD and CSO members, the officers attacked, clubbing and knocking over members of the crowd.

After the arrests, CSO and allies mobilized: two emergency protests, a call-in to the LAPD Metro jail, and a national call-in to pressure District Attorney Nathan Hochman to release Sam Carrera. That call was put out by the Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR), with assistance from Freedom Road Socialization Organization.

Calls poured in all day to Nathan Hochman, filling the inbox multiple times. Due to the efforts of those who participated and protested, the CSO 3 are free

But the fight is not over. Sam Carrera could still be charged at any time. And LAPD Hollenbeck police have zeroed in on the Flores family.

Sergio Flores is being charged with a felony, 405(APC), but has done nothing wrong. LAPD Hollenbeck division murdered Jeremy Anthony Flores, the younger brother of Sergio Flores, in cold-blood on July 14, 2025. The Flores Family has been fierce in their fight for justice, and LAPD Hollenbeck is feeling the pressure. This is why they attacked the CSO meeting attendees. CSO will mobilize until the bogus charges on Sergio Flores are dropped.

Three other CSO members have been previously attacked by the government: Carlos Montes, Verita Topete and Alejandro Orellana. None of them did anything wrong. CSO asks that all who are interested in joining the fight to ensure that the charges on Sergio Flores be dropped now, stay connected with them. There will be many more events to follow.

Drop the charges now on Sergio Flores! Victory for the CSO 3!

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CentroCSO #Featured

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, February 19, Boyle Heights community members came together at Hollenbeck Police Station to demand the release of Sammy Carrera and to drop the charges against the CSO 3, who LAPD attacked and arrested the night before.

Late on February 18, LAPD attacked members of Centro CSO who were trying to leave from their monthly general meeting and arrested Sergio Flores, Sammy Carrera, and a 16-year-old minor. Flores was released on the morning of February 19 and was charged with felony riot charges. Carrera has not been released yet and is being charged with resisting arrest.

“These cops, they’ve been targeting our youth, they’ve been targeting our people for years. They need to be held accountable,” said Jess Rivas, family member of Carrera, “His family misses him, his daughters are very sad, they’re in pain.”

At the protest, people spoke highly of Carrera and his legacy growing up and organizing in Boyle Heights, emphasizing how ridiculous it was that LAPD arrested him and is pressing bogus charges. Carrera is a third generation Boyle Heights resident and is raising his family in Boyle Heights. He participated in writing poetry at the cultural art center Corazón Del Pueblo and is an active member with Centro CSO. In 2021, Carrera’s portrait was even featured in a mural called “Somos Boyle Heights” located off of 1st Street.

Reuben Navarrete, a member of Teamsters 396, said of Carrera, “This guy’s got a heart of gold, not only is he an outstanding father and an amazing community organizer, and he’s one of the hardest working men I know. Sammy Carrera is the kind of guy who will work 12-hour days six days a week and still have time to come out and do a barrio walk.”

As the protest was winding down, a CSO member, one of many who had been beaten by LAPD the night before, attempted to go inside the station to file a police report on them. As soon as she and a few other people entered the station, officers inside forcefully pushed them back out the door.

A few minutes later, over 40 officers ran out in riot gear and used their batons to forcefully push back the crowd onto the sidewalk, creating a wall of officers to keep the protest off the property of the station.

Gabriel Quiroz Jr, who leads CSO’s police accountability work, made a spectacle out of the excessive display of force, and led a chant shouting the names of different young Chicanos who LAPD has killed in the last few years including Jose Mendez (killed by LAPD in 2019), Christian Escobedo (killed by LAPD in 2022), and Jeremy Flores (killed by LAPD in 2025).

Before ending the protest CSO members were able to repeat their demand to LAPD face to face – release Sammy Carrera, and drop the charges on the CSO 3!

Editor’s note: After an intense pressure campaign, Sammy Carrera was released without charges late in the afternoon, February 20.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #InJusticeSystem #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – On the evening of February 18, LAPD Hollenbeck Division officers brutally assaulted and arrested multiple members of the Chicano group, Centro Community Service Organization (CSO). Sergio Flores, Sam Carrera and a minor individual were beaten with batons, shoved, and without warning, arrested.

Centro CSO members were leaving their monthly public meeting when LAPD responded to a mental health situation. The incident was directly outside of the meeting location, which is at Boyle Heights City Hall. CSO members were trying to get to their cars in the parking lot when the LAPD prevented them from going home.

Upon exiting City Hall, LAPD met CSO members with hostility and announced they would not be moving. A group of officers recognized the 16-year-old minor sister of Jeremy Anthony Flores, and began harassing her and then arrested her. Jeremy Flores was shot and killed by the same division on July 14, 2025. Additionally, the older brother of Flores, Sergio Flores, was assaulted and arrested. Rank-and-file Teamster Sam Carrera was also unjustly arrested.

The mother of Jeremy Anthony Flores, Isabella Rivera, was struck with an LAPD baton, and was shoved and detained by the same cops who murdered her son last summer. Katherine Palma, who is the sister of Flores, was thrown to the ground by a group of LAPD cops.

Centro CSO immediately mobilized and had a protest across the street from the arrest, gathering at LAPD Hollenbeck Division. Over a dozen members chanted and demanded the release of their members.

Centro CSO was able to have the minor released the same night. The next morning at 7 a.m., Sergio Flores was released. However, one activist is still detained: Teamster and CSO member Sam Carrera. He is being charged with resisting arrest, a charge known to be completely vague.

Centro CSO is raising funds for bail and legal support; you can donate at Venmo “CentroCSO” or Zelle at 323-580-3764

Centro CSO will hold an emergency protest and press conference today, February 19, at 5 p.m. outside the LAPD Hollenbeck Division station. We will be demanding the release of Sam Carrera and that all charges be dropped now!

#LosAngelesCA #CA #CentroCSO #L4A #Featured

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, February 7, Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) alongside allies like La Mesa Nacional de Brown Berets, La Raza Unida Party and Freedom Road Socialist Organization held a protest at Mariachi Plaza demanding ICE out of Aztlán.

Called in commemoration of the 178th anniversary signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the protest connected President Trump’s current attacks on immigrants to the long history of oppression that Chicanos have experienced within the United States.

Signed on February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War and transferred most of Northern Mexico – including the current states of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and California, as well as parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming – to the United States. Mexico also relinquished all claims to Texas. However, as speakers emphasized, the signing of the treaty also gave birth to the Chicano Nation and its long history of resistance.

Carlos Montes, a founder of the Brown Berets and a member of Centro CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization kicked off the rally by describing how he attended the First National Chicano Youth Liberation Conference in 1969 and heard the declaration of the Plan Espiritual de Aztlán. This experience helped him understand how the Chicano people were an oppressed nation within the United States.

Verita Topete, a co-chair of CSO’s immigration committee and one of the rally’s two emcees alongside Liza Peña from the Brown Berets, spoke about how the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo resulted in Latino working-class communities being pushed out, policed, and othered, the same abuse many are facing now, in a different form.

Julie Regalado, a member of Centro CSO’s education committee, spoke about the attacks on students who have been peacefully protesting against the inhumane ICE Raids. Regalado said of the students, “It's their right to come out and march.”

Ernesto Ayala of La Raza Unida Party, whose father Jenaro Ayala designed an Aztlan flag, spoke about growing up within the Chicano movement and rallied the crowd to continue fighting back. Juan Parrino of Los Rucos denounced “Hispanic” ICE agents as traitors unworthy of being deemed Chicano for their attacks on immigrant communities.

Luis Sifuentes of Centro CSO’s Police Accountability Committee spoke about their main demand, which is community control of police due to the brutality, murders and institutions that harm Chicanos in Boyle Heights.

Jag Arreola, a hip hop artist and one of the Justice 8, closed the first part of the program by performing a series of songs denouncing U.S. imperialism and attacks on immigrants.

The protesters then took over First Street, the route connecting the working-class community of Boyle Heights to downtown Los Angeles. Chicanos from Boyle Heights and East LA, whose labor keeps the city running, have historically had to travel across the Los Angeles River to downtown and other more affluent parts of LA to find work.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, January 29, Centro CSO held a press conference at Mariachi Plaza denouncing the ICE raids that had happened the day before. On the morning of January 28, ICE agents assaulted and kidnapped at least six people in Boyle Heights, including fruit and flower vendors, and residents of Ramona Gardens.

Centro CSO and the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network (BHIRN) responded immediately on the scene, recording and confronting the ICE agents. Members from CSO and the BHIRN helped to alert the neighborhood that ICE was nearby and informed neighbors of their rights. They also tabled outside nearby schools at the end of the school day to help young children get home safely, as many of their parents feared their commute home.

“We all can play a key role in these moments of crisis, when our communities are being terrorized, when our communities are being hijacked by a man that just simply wants to run the country as his own business,” said Enrique Velasquez of the BHIRN at the press conference.

The BHIRN responds to immigration raids in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles by bringing together leaders in the community to fight for immigrant rights. They run a hotline that responds to calls about suspected ICE activity, send volunteers to verify ICE activity, get contact info for the person being detained, and offer legal support to their families.

Sam Carrera, a Teamster sanitation worker, spoke about how the January 28 kidnappings are a clear example of how ICE is not deporting criminals and murderers like they claim to be, but they are kidnapping regular working people. “These are our neighbors. This could have been my father; this could have been an uncle of mine. These are our fathers, these are our uncles, our aunts,” said Carrera.

Speakers at the press conference talked about how important it has been for the community to stand up and fight back against ICE. Through its immigration committee, Centro CSO has been at the forefront of the struggle against ICE in Los Angeles, with their own members having responded to many ICE kidnappings since the beginning of Trump’s second term. They held an Emergency Summit Against Deportations in March of 2025 where they helped prepare organizations from across the country, including organizations from Minneapolis and Chicago, to respond to ICE raids.

Gabriel Quiroz Jr. spoke at the press conference on behalf of Centro CSO’s police brutality committee, “I want to speak on the resilience of the people of Boyle Heights. We saw heroes, like Verita Topete, confront border patrol agents who were kidnapping a beloved flower vendor. We saw neighbors come out to defend their neighbor. We saw the BHIRN jump into action and respond all across the Eastside. We saw local business owners and workers chase migra out. We saw workers shut the doors on migra as our raza ran to safety. We saw people straight up chase migra out of Boyle Heights!”

From Minneapolis to Los Angeles, people are fighting back against ICE and taking matters into their own hands to stop Trump’s racist deportations. “The only reason we survive this violence is because we protect each other,” said Verita Topete from Centro CSO’s immigration committee.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #CentroCSO #BHIRN

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, January 24, Centro CSO answered an emergency call to action from the Legalization For All Network in response to ICE and US Border Patrol's second open murder in Minneapolis. Over 100 people gathered at Mariachi Plaza for a rally and vigil to stand in solidarity with Minneapolis and demand justice for Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and community observer who was attacked and brutally murdered.

While the Trump administration and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino tried to paint Alex Pretti as a domestic terrorist who was at the scene of a raid to massacre federal agents, evidence from three videos with different point of views showed he was trying to protect a woman shoved to the ground before he was pepper sprayed, beaten and then killed. Alex Pretti’s murder comes approximately two weeks after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good.

Nadia Topete of Centro CSO started the rally and uplifted the names of five-year-old Liam Ramos and his father who were kidnapped by ICE on January 20 and used as bait to take more family members from his home when he rang the doorbell. “This is unacceptable!” said Topete. “Shame on the United States for letting this ongoing harassment towards Raza and terrorizing our communities and for kidnapping our brothers and sisters!”

Carlos Montes of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Centro CSO spoke about how Trump’s racist policies against immigrants comes from how the United States is based upon the national oppression of Chicanos. According to Montes, putting an end to these attacks requires revolution.

Juan Parrino of Los Rucos said, “America declares that it has an immigration problem, well it does and it all began in 1492 with the arrival of the first Europeans. Masked federal agents occupying our cities and attacking protesters and killing peaceful observers, I say ya basta! Only the people can save the people!”

Eloisa Galindo of Eastside Padres Contra la Privatización spoke about how Trump and privatizers are attacking public schools. Trump’s immigration policies have led to fear and a decrease in enrollment, causing budget losses and teacher cuts. Sergio Flores, the brother of Jeremy Flores who was murdered by LAPD last summer, connected the murders of Pretti and Good to police brutality in Los Angeles.

Sol Marquez of the Legalization for All uplifted the names of the many people killed by ICE before raising the demand for Legalization for All stated, “Someone once asked why legalization for all? Right, because they have the power to do it right now! That’s what we want legislation across the board for all 12 million undocumented.”

The crowd then went to the sidewalk waving signs, flags and banners chanting, “Justice for Alex Pretti” and “ICE out of LA!”

Join Centro CSO if you would like to get involved in the struggle for Chicano self-determination and the defense of immigrants.

CSO, along with other Chicano-led organizations, will be hosting an upcoming protest called ICE Out Of Aztlán in Boyle Heights on February 7 to commemorate the anniversary of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #KillerICE #CentroCSO #L4A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Los Angeles CA – On Friday, January 16, 50 protesters gathered at the corner of Eastern Avenue and 3rd Street in East Los Angeles in response to the abduction of Jose Rodolfo De León, a community member, who was working at the local car wash during an ICE sweep.

The rally and march, organized by Eastside Padres Contra la Privatización, a community group that defends public education from charter schools, took place during increased ICE activity in East Los Angeles. Protesters held signs and chanted demands calling ICE out of East LA, catching the attention of passing cars and pedestrians.

Organizers and speakers emphasized that De Leon’s abduction is not an isolated incident, but a part of a broader pattern of ICE raids and mass deportations targeting working-class immigrants and their families.

The action featured a stacked speaker list that included a teacher from Mariana Avenue Elementary, a school down the street, LAUSD School Board Vice President Dr. Rocio Rivas, Verita Topete from Centro CSO, and Gabriel Quiroz Jr. from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Dr. Rocio Rivas, who represents East Los Angeles and Boyles Heights on the LAUSD school board, said “As board vice president, I have been making sure that this district is enforcing protections that our students and families need. We are here supporting and making sure our families have resources and all of our support.”

Verita Topete, a leader of Centro CSO’s immigration committee, said, “This week in East LA, ICE has been attacking our community targeting street vendors, raiding car washes and terrorizing workers who are trying to survive. These are not safety measures. They are acts of intimidation meant to keep our people afraid and disposable.”

Topete went on to say, “What is happening in East LA is not isolated. Our demands are clear: Stop the ICE raids, stop the deportations and the targeting of our street venders and workers, Legalization for All, and ICE out of barrios. Survival is not a crime. Our communities are powerful and we will not stop until every family is safe.”

Maribel Regalado, an LAUSD teacher, said, “I'm heartbroken because what we are teaching our students about important U.S. documents and the Constitution and the rights it promises us are not being followed. Rules are being broken and rights are being taken away, and I don't know how to explain that to seven and eight-year-olds. Students are not feeling safe.”

Gabriel Quiroz Jr of Centro CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “I know it’s hard right now. A lot of our Raza are living in fear. Street vendors, construction workers, car wash workers are terrified but we are here to show that we will not let fear stop us from speaking up and defending our people! We will not let Trump win!”

The rally ended with a short march around the corners of the intersection, as protesters chanted, “¡El pueblo unido jamas serze vencido!” and “Las calles son del pueblo! El pueblo donde está? El pueblo está en la calle exigiendo libertad!”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – Hundreds of organizers and community members gathered at Mariachi Plaza in historic Boyle Heights, January 8, for a vigil called by Centro CSO to honor Renee Nicole Good, a wife, mother and community defender murdered by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

This cold-blooded killing by ICE marks a stark, yet predictable escalation in federal violence after a summer of increased ICE kidnappings that terrorized communities all across the nation.

The candlelit vigil turned rally featured powerful speeches and uplifting music culminating in a march to the ICE detention facility in downtown LA. Father Brendan Busse of Dolores Mission Church opened the vigil with a moment of silence for Good. Derek Mejia of Centro CSO read the poem On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs that won the 2020 Academy of American Poets Prize at Old Dominion University.

Verita Topete, a leader of Centro CSO’s immigration committee and the rally’s emcee, said, “The Trump administration is not backing down but neither are we. We will continue to organize, continue to fight back! An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us!”

Kate Regan, an LAUSD educator and member of Centro CSO stated, “Just three miles away from where an ICE officer shot Renne Good, ICE created chaos at Roosevelt High School dismissal. They tackled students and staff, they pepper-sprayed people, they broke out a car window. Shame! This is not normal. This is not safe. This is not OK.”

Remarking on the increasingly desperate and violent tactics employed by ICE, Ron Gochez from Union del Barrio said, “When you corner a wounded animal, it will strike back viciously. This is an empire that is falling and failing.”

Sol Marquez, a speaker at the rally and a leader of Centro CSO’s immigration committee, posed this question to the rally: “They’re here to terrorize our people, are we gonna accept that?” Gabriel Quiroz Jr of Centro CSO’s Police Accountability Committee, said, “We should all be inspired by [Renee’s] commitment to justice, let’s honor her life by continuing to fight for a better world.”

Once the rally was over, protesters took to the streets to demand justice for Renee Good, an end to the ICE raids, legalization for all, and justice for Keith Porter, a Los Angeles man shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent on New Year’s Eve. They marched from Mariachi Plaza down 1st Street, crossing over the Los Angeles River and eventually arriving at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

At the detention facility, protesters demanded an end to ICE violence, chanting “No justice, no peace!” “ICE out of LA” and “Jail killer cops.” Michael Williams from Black Lives Matter gave a speech, bringing up the case of Porter. Marchers then turned around and returned to Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights.

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

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ReneeGood #CentroCSO

Los Ángeles, CA – Many people were brought together in solidarity and protest against the U.S. bombing of Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president Nicolas Maduro on January 3, with 200 people joining a protest at Perishing Square in downtown LA at approximately 2 p.m.

The protest called for “No war with Venezuela” and the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Rain poured but did nothing to stop the anger of participants.

Freedom Road Socialist Organization member Gabriel Quiroz Jr. told the crowd, “The Venezuelan government has never done any harm to me or my people. It's the LAPD shooting Black and Chicano people on the streets of Los Angeles. It’s Trump and ICE that are kidnapping our Raza. It was Trump who illegally sent the Marines and feds to occupy Los Angeles. Working-class people of Boyle Heights don’t benefit from this war in Venezuela. Only Trump and his rich buddies benefit.”

Attending her first Venezuelan solidarity protest was Centro CSO member Mayra Plascencia, who stated, “We came strong and big today in the Los Angeles rain. We protested for peace, not oil for blood. I came out for the children of Venezuela. We demand no war, and for peace.”

Plans are for Centro CSO are to call for an East Los Angeles or Boyle Heights action if attacks on Venezuela continue and if the president is not released.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #CentroCSO #FRSO

Los Angeles, CA – A principios de octubre, los informantes en White Memorial, un hospital adventista de Boyle Heights, filtraron información invaluable. Los informantes afirmaron que los agentes de ICE estaban llevando a los detenidos de una instalación inadecuada de ICE llamada “B-18” ubicada dentro del Metropolitan Detention Center en el centro de Los Ángeles, al hospital del barrio Chicano.

Dentro de los confines de White Memorial, en el departamento de emergencias, los agentes aterrorizaban a los pacientes detenidos, con el permiso de los directores generales y directores del hospital. Entre los delitos cometidos por agentes de ICE se encontraban violaciones de la confidencialidad del paciente y la ley HIPAA, negando a los detenidos la capacidad de tomar sus propias decisiones de atención médica, e interferencia de agentes de ICE cuando el personal del hospital intentaba conectar a los detenidos con sus familias.

Organizaciones como Centro CSO y la Boyle Heights Immigration Rights Network, que incluye Proyecto Pastoral, Union del Barrio y la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad, se unieron a una red recién formada de trabajadores de la salud – El People’s Care Collective. El People’s Care Collective convocó a una protesta en los hospitales que colaboran con ICE, denunciando las “múltiples injusticias de salud cometidas por ICE y las fuerzas del orden público contra los pacientes detenidos en el Metropolitan Detention Center, la Men’s Central Jail y múltiples hospitales”.

CSO se unió a su campaña para expulsar a ICE de White Memorial. Una petición reciente pide que ICE cumpla la ley HIPAA y que no se sancione al personal hospitalario si pide a ICE que salga de las salas de examen.

Durante la protesta, el Dr. Abhinaya Narayanan leyó una declaración escrita por los trabajadores de la salud de White Memorial diciendo, “Exigimos que White Memorial establezca protecciones adicionales para la privacidad de los pacientes, permita que los médicos y pacientes tengan contacto libre y no controlado con las familias de los pacientes, y que los proveedores médicos y trabajadores sociales puedan ayudar a los pacientes y sus familias con conexión a apoyo y representación legal”.

Gabriel Quiroz Jr, miembro del Centro CSO y la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad, dijo, “Nací en White Memorial. El temor a principios de la década de 1990 era que los recién nacidos fueran secuestrados. Hoy, el temor es que White Memorial no haga nada para impedir que la migra [ICE] entre o proteja a nuestra Raza de ellos”.

La protesta tuvo lugar el domingo 14 de diciembre. Comenzó fuera del Museo Japonés en el centro de Los Ángeles, donde más de 100 asistentes marcharon a las instalaciones B-18, la Men’s Central Jail, y luego continuaron en la Avenida César E Chávez para terminar en White Memorial.

CSO hará campaña para expulsar a ICE de White Memorial y continuará reuniéndose con la administración de Adventist Health y White Memorial para asegurarse de que rindan cuentas.

A puertas cerradas, los trabajadores de la salud le dicen a la Boyle Heights Immigrants Rights Network (BHIRN) que la administración ha dicho algunas de las siguientes cosas, “Boyle Heights se olvidará de esto”, “bueno [los detenidos] no son pacientes reales”, “siga lo que los agentes de ICE le piden”.

Jordan Peña, co-presidente del Comité de Inmigración de CSO, dijo, “Envía un mensaje poderoso cuando los trabajadores de la salud y los activistas comunitarios se unen. Demostramos que estamos unidos en esta lucha. Esta protesta fue solo el comienzo de una fuerte relación para el movimiento de cambio. Para nosotros, como CSO, enviamos un mensaje claro a los directores de White Memorial, que estamos juntos y no vamos a ninguna parte”.

Si deseas unirte a la lucha de Boyle Heights, contacta Centro CSO y firma la petición ahora.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #DerechosDeLosInmigrantes #CentroCSO #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino

Los Angeles, CA – In early October, whistleblowers at White Memorial, a Boyle Heights Adventist hospital, leaked invaluable information. The whistleblowers stated that ICE agents were taking detainees from an inadequate ICE facility named “B-18” located within the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, to the Chicano neighborhood hospital.

Within the confines of White Memorial, in the emergency department, agents were terrorizing detainee patients. – with permission from hospital CEOs and directors. Among the crimes committed by ICE agents were violations of patient confidentiality and HIPAA law, denying detainees the ability to make their own medical care decisions, and interference by ICE agents whenever hospital staff attempted to connect detainees with their families.

Organizations like Centro CSO and the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network, which includes Proyecto Pastoral, Union del Barrio and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, united with a newly formed network of healthcare workers – the People’s Care Collective. The People’s Care Collective called for a protest at hospitals collaborating with ICE, denouncing the “multiple health injustices committed by ICE and law enforcement toward detained patients at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Men’s Central Jail, and multiple hospitals.”

CSO joined their campaign to kick ICE out of White Memorial. A recent petition calls for ICE to follow HIPAA law and for no punishment for hospital staff if they ask ICE to exit exam rooms.

During the protest, Dr. Abhinaya Narayanan read a statement written by White Memorial healthcare workers stating, “We demand that White Memorial put into place additional protections for patient privacy, allow doctors and patients to have free and not controlled contact with patients’ families, and for medical providers and social workers [to] be able to assist patients and families with connection to support and legal representation.”

Gabriel Quiroz Jr, a member of Centro CSO and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “I was born at White Memorial. The fear back in the early 1990s was that newborns were going to be kidnapped. Today, the fear is that White Memorial will do nothing to stop la migra [ICE] from entering or protecting our Raza from them.”

The protest took place on Sunday, December 14. It began outside of the Japanese Museum in downtown LA, where over 100 attendees marched to the B-18 facility, Men’s Central Jail, and then continued on Cesar E Chavez Avenue to end at White Memorial.

CSO will campaign to kick ICE out of White Memorial and will continue meeting with the administration of Adventist Health and White Memorial to ensure that they are held accountable.

Behind closed doors, healthcare workers tell the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network (BHIRN) that administration has said some of the following things, “Boyle Heights will forget about this,” “Well [the detainees] aren’t real patients,” “Follow what ICE agents ask you to do.”

Jordan Peña, a co-chair of CSO’s Immigration Committee, said, “It sends a powerful message when healthcare workers and community activists come together. We show that we are united in this fight. This protest was only the beginning of a strong relationship for the movement of change. For us, as CSO, we sent a clear message to the directors at White Memorial, that we are together and we aren’t going anywhere.”

If you wish to join the Boyle Heights fight, contact Centro CSO and sign the petition now.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #CentroCSO