Los Angeles, CA – On June 15, 18-year-old Pedro Echevarria was shot four times by LA Police Department Hollenbeck station cop Carbajal. He survived after neighbor Darlene intervened, yelling, “Stop shooting! Don’t kill him!”
Los Angeles, CA – The beautiful and unified chants of, “Chicano power! Immigrant power! Student power!” and “Que viva la Raza! Que viva Aztlán! Que viva Mexico!” was heard through the streets of the Chicano neighborhood of Boyle Heights, May 1. The spirited May Day march proceeded on Chavez Avenue in the heart of Boyle heights where residents came out to cheer and show support. A short rally was held at the corners of Chicago and First Street at the LAPD Hollenbeck police station to denounce the killings of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez, Jesse Romero and other youth.
Los Angeles, CA – In the mainly Chicano Boyle Heights neighborhood, families and organizations will protest Trump’s ICE attacks and police killings by marching on May Day. The May Day march will start at 3 p.m. at the corner of Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Evergreen Street. Proceeding west on Chavez, the march will take place in the heart of Boyle heights. On Chicago Street, the march will travel south for a short rally at the corners of Chicago and First street at the LAPD Hollenbeck station to denounce the killings of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez, Jesse Romero, and other youth.
Los Angeles, CA – After the Tomahawk missile attack on Syria, Chicanos and anti-war activists joined together in in Boyle Heights April 15 to demand “U.S. hands off Syria!”
Los Angeles, CA – More than 200 determined community members gathered at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights, Jan. 20, to protest and march against Donald Trump. Pouring rain with cold winds were no match for the rage and determination of Boyle Heights.
Los Angeles, CA – A major march against Trump is set for Jan. 20 in Boyle Heights. It is one of many around the country that will coincide with President-elect Trump’s inauguration in Washington DC. Boyle Heights protesters will assemble at 11 a.m. at Mariachi Plaza. They will march to Olvera Street, rally at Olvera, and then march to City Hall to join the other rallies.
Los Angeles, CA – Several thousand high school students walk out of over six schools to protest Trump. Chanting, “Not my president,” “No deportations,” “Sí se puede,” the students kicked off their march by first assembling at Mariachi Plaza, then marching to LA City Hall. Once at city hall, students held a large rally where they were met by more students, many of whom walked for over eight miles. The students, many from undocumented families, are angry with Trump's call for mass deportations, doing away with DACA, and putting up an additional border wall. There were no arrests.
Los Angeles, CA – Eight months after the LAPD killing of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez – the 16-year-old killed by LAPD, and four other police killings of young Chicanos in Boyle Heights, an Oct. 6 call-in day action was organized by Centro CSO.
Los Angeles, CA – Chanting “We want justice for Edwin Rodriguez,” the family and lawyers announced, at a July 5 press conference, the filing of a lawsuit against the County of Los Angeles and Deputy Sheriffs Andrew Alatorre and Sandy Galdamez for the killing of the 24-year-old father.
Los Angeles, CA – On June 11, community members and Centro CSO (Community Service Organization) activists gathered at Boyle Heights Mariachi Plaza, supporting Deferred Action for undocumented immigrants. Demanding the Supreme Court continue the Deferred Action programs, people from the neighborhood came out to make and send their own messages to the Supreme Court.
Los Angeles, CA – Veteran Chicano and immigrant rights leader Carlos Montes commented today, April 18, on the presentation of oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on DACA+ (Deferred Action for Children Arrivals extension) and DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans).
Los Angeles, CA – On the afternoon of March 8, at Boyle Heights Hollenbeck Park, located in the heart of the barrio, activists and community members celebrated International Women’s Day by demanding, ‘Legalize my mom!’ People of all ages were present.
Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department murdered another young man in East Los Angeles (ELA), Feb. 14. The LA Sheriff’s version is full of contradictions and misinformation.
Boyle Heights, CA – A great show of unity and solidarity against police abuse took place in Boyle Heights, Feb. 12, with a spirited protest of over 50 people. The Mendez family, friends, neighbors, supporters, activists and Centro CSO members protested at LAPD Hollenbeck police station over the Feb. 6 killing of Jose Mendez, a Boyle Heights teen. Protesters demanded justice for Jose Mendez and an end to police killings of our Chicano youth.
Los Angeles, CA – On Feb. 6, a 16-year-old Chicano teen, Jose Mendez, was shot and killed by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by cops from Hollenbeck Division in the Boyle Heights community, located in the East Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles, CA – In early 2014 there was hope that undocumented parents would be able to be protected against deportation, when President Obama issued an executive order to create Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Deferred Action for Children Arrivals, also known as DAPA/DACA. In 2014, 26 Republican governors, led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, filed a lawsuit in federal court that blocked its implementation. The Obama administration filed a speedy appeal challenging the Republican-led lawsuit. The U.S. Supreme Court will hold oral arguments in April and issue a ruling in June 2016. Millions of people will be are anxiously watching this ruling. Centro CSO plans to continue fighting for Deferred Action and legalization for all in the East Side of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, CA – A contingent from the Boyle Heights-based Centro CSO received enthusiastic responses from the Black public at the annual MLK parade, which took place in the heart of the African American community. The delegation from Centro CSO carried a large banner reading “Dump Trump and right-wing racists.” Many in the large crowds applauded and chanted, “Dump trump now.” A CSO member carried a poster urging Black and brown unity.
Los Angeles, CA – In the late afternoon, Oct. 23, people of the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles joined together to denounce the right-wing attacks on immigrants.
Los Angeles, CA – Over 200 teachers, community members and students protested at the grand opening of the Broad Museum of Contemporary Art on the morning of Sept. 20. The Broad Museum is named after billionaire Eli Broad. Broad has been spearheading the attacks on public education not only in Los Angeles, but across the country. The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) called out Broad for using his big money to push for more charter schools
Los Angeles, CA – Marching and chanting, “Vecinos unidos, jamas seran vencidos!” (Neighbors, united, will never be defeated), over 50 community members, families and activists gathered outside of five Boyle Heights homes, Sept. 9, to fight back against displacement and gentrification. Boyle Heights families have been suffering displacement and evictions for many years. The community is also surrounded by freeways, rail yards and factories which cause pollution.