Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

InJusticeSystem

By Jacob Muldoon

Orlando, Florida protest demands justice for Luis Lopez.

Orlando, FL – On April 10, organizers with Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) attended the Orange County Sheriff’s Civilian Advisory Committee to demand justice for Luis Lopez, a recent victim of a deadly police shooting in his own home.

“They killed an innocent person who was supposed to be helping,” explained David Porter, a member of OAPC. He continued, “if Sheriff Mina reached the absurd conclusion that deputies acted within policy, then your policy sucks, your training sucks.”

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By staff

Jacksonville, Florida protest demands justice for Charles Faggart.

Jacksonville, FL – 250-plus people gathered on the steps of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) Memorial Building on Sunday, April 13, demanding justice for Charles Faggart and all other victims of police brutality.

Charles Faggart was a 31-year-old Jacksonville resident. He owned and operated the Chop it Up Charlie’s food truck. Faggart died from “catastrophic injuries” while in the Duval County Jail.

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By staff

Jacksonville, FL – On April 8, a coalition of organizations led by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) gathered once again at the steps of City Hall, to denounce the city’s plans to build a new billion-dollar jail. About 30 community members attended the press conference and rally before entering City Hall to address the council directly.

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By Tavish Bryan

James Jordan \[white Trump hat\] and Jeremy Marks.

Lafayette, IN – Around 1000 people circled the Tippecanoe County Courthouse on April 5 as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest. The protest was organized by Greater Lafayette Indivisible and joined by an unexpectedly large number of people.

Amidst the energy of the protest a man named James Jordan, along with his wife Jessica Dee, came to a stop in their truck as protesters crossed the street in front of the courthouse.

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By staff

New Yorkers speak out against the Justice Department dropping corruption charges against Mayor Adams.

New York, NY – On Friday, April 4, the New York Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NYAARPR) held a speakout outside of City Hall. They gathered because just a few days earlier the Department of Justice dropped Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption charges.

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By Noah Schumacher

Two people stand and speak into a microphone holding portraits.

Minneapolis, MN – On Saturday, April 5, organizers, family members and individuals impacted by wrongful incarceration and over-sentencing came together in North Minneapolis for A Day of Empathy – a powerful gathering focused on the stories of those whose lives have been upended by wrongful incarceration, over-sentencing, mass incarceration, police violence and racial injustice.

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By Abraham Quintana

Fullerton, CA – The morning of April 2, family members of Pedro Garcia rallied outside Fullerton City Hall and marched to the nearby police department to demand justice for their son, cousin and nephew. 19-year-old Garcia was killed by Fullerton Police Department (FPD) officers, who shot him almost 30 times after they arrived at the family home on March 15.

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By staff

Candles surround signs that say, "Justice for Anthony Padilla" in remembrance of him.Colorado Springs, CO – On the evening of March 29, family members, friends and supporters gathered at the Village East Apartments to hold a vigil in honor of Anthony Padilla, marking the second anniversary of his death.

The event took place at the very location where Padilla, a 37-year-old father of two, was fatally shot in 2023. His family continues to fight for justice and accountability in a case that remains closed, despite their calls for the district attorney to press charges against his killer, Kevin McCarthy.

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By staff

A man holding a megaphone standing in front of a banner.

New York, NY – On March 31 at 6 p.m., members of the New York Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NYAARPR) rallied near the Red Cube art installation in Lower Manhattan, next to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office. NYAARPR was protesting James’ decision two years ago, on that same date, to not pursue charges against the officers who killed Eudes Pierre.

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By Freedom Road Socialist Organization - New York City District

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Freedom Road Socialist Organization NYC.

After a 22-day strike of correction officers across New York State, prison conditions are worsening statewide. The strike began due to the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act, known as the HALT Act for short, which limits the amount of time prisoners can be subjected to solitary confinement.

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By Cas Casanova

Tallahassee, FL – On Wednesday, March 26, the chamber of the Tallahassee City Commission was packed with community members from across the city to speak on a variety of issues, such as a proposed gas station’s environmental impacts and the future ownership of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. The most pressing issue, however, concerned the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD).

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By Jessie Proffitt

Family of  Anthony Padilla demands justice.

Colorado Springs, CO – Local organizers in Colorado Springs People’s Coalition (CSPC) stood together with the Padilla family at the Colorado Springs County Commissioners office to demand an investigation into the murder of Anthony Padilla and present a new piece of evidence in the case.

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By staff

Santa Ana, CA – El 18 de marzo, más de 45 personas se reunieron en el Centro Cultural de México y marcharon media milla hasta el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana junto con la familia de Noé Rodríguez para protestar por su injusto asesinato.

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By David Jones

A group of people holding banners and flags.

Atlanta, GA – 58-year-old Filipina activist Alma Bowman was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a check-in at the Atlanta facility. Separated from lawyers and her family at the start of the check-in, abused by staff in the ICE office, and detained without medication, Bowman is yet another instance of deportation being used as a tool to repress immigrants.

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By Gabriel Miller

Frank Chapman and Kevin Jackson at town hall meeting.

Chicago, IL – Over 150 survivors of wrongful convictions, their family members and community members gathered on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, March 22, for an action-focused town hall meeting. The event was organized by the Campaign to Free Incarcerated Survivors of Police Torture (CFIST) and aimed to strengthen the movement to free all survivors of wrongful conviction and end the system of police torture that has made Chicago the torture capitol of the United States.

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By staff

Santa Ana protest demands justice for Noe Rodriguez.

Santa Ana, CA – On March 18, over 45 people gathered at El Centro Cultural de Mexico and marched half a mile to the Santa Ana Police Department with the family of Noe Rodriguez to protest his unjust killing.

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By staff

A group of people stands in front of other people holding microphones and cameras.

Milwaukee, WI – On March 20, the jury in the federal civil trial of the Cole family against killer cop Joseph Mensah could not reach consensus. Mensah was a Wauwatosa, Wisconsin cop when he killed Alvin Cole and is now a detective for Waukesha County. The suit asserts that Mensah used excessive force with Cole, after shooting Cole multiple times at the Mayfair Mall’s parking lot while the latter was on his hands and knees on February 2, 2020.

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By Jon Abraham

Two members of the Butler family - a middle-aged woman with a cane and a young man - speak to a crowd.

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, March 19, the Parkchester community came out to an impromptu event in support of Ronald Butler, Donte Butler, Donte Butler Jr., Frederick Simms and Jermaine Irving Jr. These five men were brutally attacked by the Metropolitan Police Department on March 11 after defending their family and are facing multiple charges, including assaulting a police officer.

The Butler family decades before lost a loved one to police murder, and this instance brought up the trauma they faced at that time. However, this time, they are committed to fighting back and ensuring justice.

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By Anthony Renzetti

A group of people stand holding white and blue balloons

Orlando, FL – On March 16, over 50 people gathered at Lake Ellenor Park to celebrate the life of Luis Lopez and to demand justice for his murder. Attendees watched Lopez’s team win their soccer match before gathering for a vigil and press conference.

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By staff

Tampa students demand freedom for Mahmoud Khalil.

Tampa, FL – On March 12, Tampa Bay’s Students for a Democratic Society led a protest to demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil, who is under the threat of deportation as the U.S. pushes to revoke his green card.

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