Brooklyn, NY – Dozens of community members gathered for a picket at the NYPD’s 71st Precinct in Brooklyn on March 31. In December 2021, 26-year-old Haitian American Eudes Pierre dialed 911 while experiencing a mental health crisis. Instead of assistance or care, officers Peter Lan and Conrado Abreu-Gerez from the 71st Precinct followed him in and out of a train station and to his home before shooting him ten times.

The murder of Eudes Pierre demonstrates how the NYPD continues to kill and brutalize the people of New York with near-impunity. Their violence falls disproportionately on Black, brown, immigrant and unhoused New Yorkers, as well as those experiencing mental health crises.

Abreu-Gerez continues to work at the 71st Precinct. The New York Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NYAARPR), along with Eudes Pierre’s family, organized the picket to confront Abreu-Gerez along with his associates and demand that he be immediately fired and prosecuted.

Daniel Koh of the New York Alliance described Abreu-Gerez’s history of violence before and after the murder of Eudes Pierre. Around eight months earlier, he was part of a mob of police officers who brutalized Isiah Day, fracturing his spine. Since the murder of Eudes Pierre, the NYPD awarded Abreu-Gerez five times for “excellent police duty” and once for “meritorious police duty.” Over the same period, he has had five additional complaints ranging from police brutality to abuse of authority.

The Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) ruled that Lan and Abreu-Gerez had acted “within NYPD guidelines.” Attorney General Letitia James declined to pursue charges against them. James is running this year for reelection to a third term. Her website calls her “the People’s Lawyer” and the “guardian of the legal rights of the people of New York.”

In their speech, NYAARPR Chair Shivani Ishwar addressed James directly, “You cannot be the People’s Lawyer if you don’t truly represent the people! You cannot win our vote while ignoring our demands!”

Attendees carried signs with a picture of Eudes Pierre on one side and a wanted poster of Conrado Abreu-Gerez on the other. Officers from the 71st Precinct watched the picket from the other side of their barricade, showing visible discomfort at the signs, speeches and chants which included “Fire killer cops!” and “How do you spell murderer? NYPD!”

To maintain and build pressure on the NYPD, the New York Alliance will continue to picket the 71st Precinct on the last Thursday of each month. The next picket will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. Along with Eudes Pierre’s family, the New York Alliance continues to fight for justice for Eudes Pierre and for community control of the police.

#NewYorkNY #NY #BrooklynNY #NYAARPR #EudesPierre #OppressedNationalities #InjusticeSystem #KillerCop

Anaheim, CA – On March 24, the family of Albert Arzola along with Community Service Organization (CSO OC) confronted the Anaheim City Council to show their anger with Anaheim Police Department.

Albert Arzola was murdered by the Anaheim Police Department on December 6, 2025. Since then, Anaheim PD has been harassing the Arzola family.

Pearl Arzola stated, “Since then we have been getting harassed daily by Anaheim PD. On February 24 during the city council, you guys lit up my house with headlights from police squad cars. On the 16th you guys lit up my cousin with a flashlight while he was taking out the trash. I want you guys to let us grieve in peace. Our neighbors can’t even throw a baptism without you guys harassing and keep flashing lights on them.”

Arzola’s anger and frustration grew as she said “It’s a fucking baptism, what are they gonna do? We're not out here having guns at baby showers. Anaheim police are fucking cowards. We can’t throw our own trash away?”

The anger that Arzola vocalized continued throughout the entire city council meeting. Christine Lopez had this to say, “After 21 emails to the mayor and no response. The family of Albert Arzola no longer wanted to meet with you. I validate the families frustration. Is the mayor really that busy? Perhaps you are, however the mayor works for us, the residents of Anaheim.”

Ariana Avalos continued, “My cousin was killed over graffiti he wasn’t even doing. You can see him standing on the other side of the street in the video. It’s nine dollars and 98 cents for graffiti removal at Lowe’s. My cousin’s life was not worth nine dollars and 98 cents. 25 dollars for a paint bucket at Home Depot. My cousin’s life was not worth 25 dollars.”

Most of the city council members were not even paying attention to the comments of the Arzola family. Despite this lack of attention, the residents of Anaheim showed immense support. Many of the Anaheim hills residents, who came on their own volition, called for “Justice for Albert” and raised the demands of the family including releasing the names of the officers who killed him.

Jocelyn Pacheco, a member of CSO OC’s police accountability committee told the council, “The gang unit officers said they were on suppression patrol, yet even they admit they don’t know why they tried to make contact with Albert and his friends. Nine days later the department said the reason for the encounter was still being determined. Three months later the names of the officers and body cam footage has still not been released despite the family and community members advocating for those details to be released.”

David Pulido, a member of CSO OC, pointed out the racist comments of Anaheim’s Police Chief Manuel Cid, stating, “He openly said African Americans commit more crimes than whites. The truth is that African Americans, Chicanos, indigenous peoples are over policed, and over sentenced. Killed more often than whites. The mayor said nothing to correct him that day; I remember. You just stood there.” Pulido’s comments were backed up with shouts of “shame!” from the crowd.

The council meeting ended with many questions left unanswered. The lies, lack of communication, and the family's demands remain. However, this hasn’t discouraged community members nor the family of Albert Arzola. They commented that they will keep coming back and keep fighting for justice, and will not be intimated by Anaheim PD.

#AnaheimCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSO #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #KillerCop

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

Santa Ana, CA – El 26 de febrero, 20 miembros de la comunidad marcharon a lo largo de Civic Center Drive para confrontar al Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD). Cantos como “¡Cárcel para los policías asesinos!” y ”¡La migra, la policía: la misma porquería!” resonaron por todo el vecindario, mientras los residentes hacían sonar sus bocinas en señal de solidaridad. Los asistentes portaban pancartas que exigían justicia para Noe Rodríguez, así como otras en referencia a víctimas recientes de la violencia policial.

Noe Rodríguez fue asesinado mientras se encontraba desarmado y en medio de una crisis de salud mental en diciembre de 2024. Las solicitudes de registros públicos realizadas por la Organización de Servicio Comunitario Condado de Orange (CSO OC) revelaron que los agentes de SAPD responsables de su muerte—Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra—continúan trabajando para SAPD y fueron movidos discretamente a otras unidades.

Jocelyn Pacheco, del Comité de Rendición de Cuentas Policial (PAC) de CSO, presentó los hechos del caso de Noe, afirmando: “Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra, los agentes responsables de su asesinato, continúan prestando servicio en el cuerpo policial, incluso después de haberle disparado 29 veces. ¿Cómo puede justificarse eso como defensa propia?”

Erika Armenta, viuda de Noe, alzó la voz contra los concejales que se oponen a la rendición de cuentas, afirmando: “Algunos representantes nos dicen que no podemos despedir a los agentes mientras se encuentran bajo investigación por un incidente, pero ¿quién puede garantizar que nuestras comunidades estén a salvo de la violencia repetida?”

Ambos agentes se han visto involucrados en otros casos de mala conducta y muertes desde que mataron a Noe Rodríguez, quien se encontraba desarmado. Casillas mató a tiros a Henry González Jr. el 1 de enero de 2025, quien también sufría de una enfermedad mental, incluido un comportamiento suicida.

Ibarra estuvo involucrado en el brutal arresto y la muerte bajo custodia de Freddy DeAngelo Washington el 16 de enero de 2025. Después, participó en la golpiza a Mario Díaz, un joven de 15 años, quien tuvo que ser trasladado a un hospital debido a sus heridas a pesar de haberse entregado a la policía; este hecho quedó documentado en un video fechado el 9 de junio de 2025.

Menos de dos semanas antes de la protesta, miembros de CSO OC—incluidas las dos hijas pequeñas de Noe Rodríguez—fueron abordados por el oficial Isaac Ibarra mientras ofrecían una conferencia de prensa frente al departamento.

Matthew Compton, de CSO, comentó: “Cuando empezamos a filmar a Ibarra y lo confrontamos con sus crímenes, mintió y dijo que lo habíamos amenazado y agredido. La verdad es que intentó repetidamente provocarnos para que peleáramos con él.”

David Pulido, miembro de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL), habló en español sobre cómo el largo patrón de asesinatos policiales de chicanos constituye un rasgo de la opresión nacional, y afirmó: “Necesitamos una revolución para establecer el poder político de la clase trabajadora y liberar a naciones oprimidas como Aztlán. ¡Esa es la solución a estos asesinatos policiales racistas!”

La marcha fue encabezada por la familia de Noe Rodríguez y CSO OC, y contó con el apoyo de Chicanxs Unidxs (CU) y los Socialistas Democráticos de América (DSA). También acudieron observadores legales del Peace and Justice Law Center (PJLC) en solidaridad con la comunidad.

CSO OC lucha por la autodeterminación chicana, el control comunitario de la policía y la legalización para todos los inmigrantes indocumentados. Tienen reuniones generales cada tercer jueves en Santa Ana, y se les puede contactar en Instagram @cso.oc y en Facebook, Orange County CSO.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #CSO #CSOOC #OC #OrangeCounty #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities

Jacksonville, FL— On Tuesday, March 24, the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) mobilized to Mayor Donna Deegan’s town hall meeting at Springfield Middle School. Deegan spoke about the city budget and offered the audience an overview of her priorities.

United with the JCAC, a group of mothers A Mother’s Cry, approached Donna Deegan with questions about police violence in Jacksonville, Florida. Yvonno Kemp read aloud a letter that had previously been mailed to Deegan. Kemp said she had not received a response from the mayor’s office. The letter requested a meeting with the mayor, so that mothers impacted by police violence could sit down with Deegan and work on solutions.

The five family members representing A Mother’s Cry had all lost loved ones at the hands of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO). Kemp’s son, 20-year-old Reginald Boston, was shot and killed by JSO in 2020. Since that time, Kemp has been advocating for increased transparency around JSO and demanding answers for the questions surrounding her son’s death.

Vanessa Martin, member of A Mother’s Cry, held up a framed picture of her son, Rashaud Martin, while addressing Mayor Deegan. 32-year-old Rashaud Martin was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in October 2025 a schizophrenic episode resulted in a Baker Act. Rashaud Martin died in JSO custody soon thereafter.

Martin explained that she is still awaiting answers about her son’s death. She expressed that he was an “intelligent and loved person, struggling with mental health.” Martin is calling on the mayor to send trained mental health professionals to any scene involving a mental health crisis. Deegan agreed to a meeting with the representatives of A Mother’s Cry.

After the remarks made by A Mother’s Cry, Xavier Green spoke on behalf of the JCAC. Green said he voted for Mayor Deegan because of the promises she made regarding police accountability. When running for mayor, Deegan had positioned herself as favorable toward a civilian review board. Green said, “By executive order, you could pass a Public Safety Committee tomorrow, which would allow for community members to have some oversight in regards to policing in the city.”

Green added, “Jacksonville is one of the only cities in the state without any form of civilian review.” Green also passed out a one-pager to the town hall attendees about JCAC’s demand for a Public Safety Committee.

The Jacksonville Community Action Committee is holding their next general body meeting on Thursday, April 16. They invite community members to join and to follow them on Instagram @jaxtakesaction.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #JCAC

Santa Ana, CA – Tensions rode high Tuesday, March 17, when Santa Ana residents, along with Community Service Organization, Orange County (CSO OC) attended city council. They demanded that killer cops Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired from Santa Ana Police Department.

On December 1, 2024, Noe Rodriguez was murdered by Santa Ana Police. Jocelyn Pacheco of CSO OC stated, “Noe Rodriguez was unarmed and experiencing a mental health crisis. When SAPD officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra shot him 29 times. Bodycam footage shows that they opened fire within 30 seconds of the officers arriving. “

Towards the end of Pacheco’s comment her mic was shut off, despite only being 17 seconds over time. Attendees of the meeting yelled “Let her speak!” and “Shame!”

Matthew Compton talked about an incident that occurred with Officer Ibarra on February 18, stating, “Members of CSO along with the family of Noe Rodriguez were outside Santa Ana Police Department recording videos. Isaac Ibarra intentionally left the department where we were standing in an attempt to intimidate us.”

Compton continued, “Isaac elbowed both myself and another CSO member, then later shoulder-checked me and threw a fake punch at a different CSO member. Isaac is highly mentally unstable and should not be allowed on the force let alone carry lethal weapons.”

In response to more comments with concerns about officer Ibarra’s behavior, Mayor Valerie Amezcua, who receives campaign funding from the Santa Ana Police Officer’s Association, had this to say: “I had my husband watch that video with Officer Ibarra, and I felt really bad for him.” She continued with “I think he behaved in a manner where I was like wow. It’s a hard thing, he was walking to his car.”

Family members impacted by police violence were present, including Noe Rodriguez’s family and the family of Albert Arzola. He was only 19 years old when he was killed by Anaheim police officers on December 6, 2025.

Grace Arzola called out the council, stating: “Valerie and Phil, body language is everything. You guys are more concerned over a charter, and light poles not being fixed than you are with people losing their lives.” Arzola pointed out that the mayor wasn’t paying attention and was slouched over during public comments.

David Pulido, a CSO OC member mentioned “Luis Casillas killed two people within one month. Noe Rodriguez on December 1, 2024 and Henry Gonzalez Jr on January 1, 2025. Casillas was also involved in a brutal beating of a 15-year-old minor Mario Diaz. For all his crimes, SAPD has not fired Luis Casillas. Instead, they moved him from patrol to the crimes against persons division.”

Pulido concluded, “We demand Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired before they can kill again! If you do nothing, then the blood will be on your hands. The blood is on the hands of Police Chief Robert Rodriguez. The blood will be on your hands, City Manager Alvaro Nunez. The blood will be on any councilmembers who stand against accountability. That will be your legacy, and we will never let anyone forget that!” The audience applauded and cheered.

As the meeting ended, some council members, like Jonathan Hernandez, showed support for the firing of Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra. Others showed their disdain towards Santa Ana residents.

The family of Noe Rodriguez, along with CSO OC and residents of Santa Ana, have been fighting for over a year to seek justice for Noe Rodriguez. CSO members declared that they will not stop until Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra are fired and jailed for their crimes.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CSOOC

Lakeland, FL – On March 19, Kieanna Garrett was found guilty on the bogus charge of resisting arrest without violence and was immediately taken into custody. This charge is tied to the day that Kienna was stopped by a group of plain-clothed cops who threw themselves in front of her vehicle, guns drawn, yelling to, “get out of the fucking car.” This is the same day that Kieanna was brutalized by Dillon Cornn, a Lakeland Police Department Officer that has a recorded history of stalking, harassing, and terrorizing Lakeland community members and who is currently under a gag order for perjury in court.

This verdict was delivered by a six-person jury – majority of which were white – with over half of the jury having a connection to a law enforcement officer by familial or friendly association. This was not a jury of her peers, but rather, this was one moving part in this sham trial. Kieanna’s public defender failed her as does the U.S. justice system does for many oppressed nationalities and did not present a robust legal argument despite Kieanna’s attempts to get her public defender to fight for her. Although Kieanna was detailed, consistent, and accurate in detailing what happened on the day she was wrongfully arrested and horribly brutalized by Lakeland PD, it fell on deaf ears. This was intensified by the state’s shoddy legal argument and officer Thompson’s inconsistent narrative, lies, and deflection. It should also be said that even if Kieanna was found not guilty on the count of this charge, the state was intent on trying Kieanna on another charge after this split court proceeding; this is a blatant sign that the state didn’t care about “truth” or “justice.” They wanted Kieanna to receive a jail sentence one way or another.

As Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, we have worked closely alongside Kieanna throughout her fight to get her unjust charges dropped and hold Lakeland PD accountable for their heinous actions. Several months prior, we celebrated a major victory when Kieanna’s false felony charges were acquitted after a number of Lakeland PD officers were found to be committing perjury in a court of law. To say that we are shocked at this verdict and sentencing of this court proceeding would be a blatant understatement.

We also vehemently condemn Judge Dick Prince’s lack of care in regard to jury selection, cognizant compliance with the state’s sentencing known to be financially and personally detrimental to Kieanna, and willingness to impose harsh punishment on top of false charges that have been materially consequential to Kieanna and her family’s livelihood. Regardless, we see all this as a sign of weakness and cowardice on the part of Lakeland PD, the city of Lakeland, and the state as a whole; this is an attempt to silence Kieanna and TAARPR who have been working to expose the corrupt and rotted policing system that has historically worked to harm and disenfranchise Black communities in Lakeland and beyond. However, we are not deterred. We will continue to fight for Kieanna as we have all these years, and we refuse to back down!

#LakelandFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #NAARPR #TAARPR

Atlanta, GA – On Sunday, March 15 the family of Deacon Johnny Holloman and supporters packed the room in Little Five Points Community Center for a documentary screening and celebration of Deacon Holloman’s life. The family restated their demands for accountability from Atlanta police for the murder of Deacon Holloman.

Deacon Johnny Holloman Sr, 62, was murdered by 23-year-old Atlanta PD officer Kiran Kimborough in 2023. After getting in a minor accident, Deacon Holloman called the police to file a report. He also called his daughter and kept her on the line. When killer cop Kimborough showed up, he was already acting rude and short-tempered. The cop proceeded to issue a ticket to Deacon Holloman and tried to tell him he had to sign it. That was a lie. Deacon Holloman asked for his supervisor, but Kimborough became more aggressive. He tased Deacon Holloman and suffocated him with the help of a tow truck driver. The Deacon’s daughter, Arnitra Holloman, had to listen to the whole thing with no power to stop it.

The killer cop was fired but a grand jury failed to indict him in August of 2025. The family is seeking a retrial in the coming months.

The documentary screening is part of a campaign to bring publicity to the case before the new grand jury begins. What About The Deacon? is a short documentary made by JustEldredge Media with the permission of the family. The documentary shows body-cam footage of the murder of Jonny Holloman Sr and interviews with his family, legal team and those whose lives he impacted.

The screening was followed by a discussion with three of Deacon Holloman’s daughters, facilitated by Kiran Desai from the Atlanta Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. The family shared their struggles adjusting to life after the murder of their father, while having to fight for justice at the same time. Arnitra Holloman emphasized that their fight for justice is tied to others who are fighting against police crimes.

After the discussion, community members joined the family to commemorate what would have been Deacon Johnny Holloman Sr’s 65th birthday.

The event ended with a balloon release and a speech by Arnitra Holloman, vowing to keep her father’s name alive and continue the fight for justice.

#AtlantaGA #GA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #NAARPR #AAARPR

Chicago, IL- 50 survivors of wrongful convictions and police torture, family members and community packed into a small South Side church for a town hall meeting on police torture and wrongful conviction on the evening of March 21.

The town hall was organized by the Campaign to Free Incarcerated Survivors of Police Torture (CFIST), a campaign of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) and featured a panel of survivors of police torture and wrongful conviction and their family members.

Chicago has a unique history of police torture dating back to the 1970s, when disgraced police commander Jon Burge and his “midnight crew” of racist detectives began a decades-long pattern of torture, targeting mostly Black men on Chicago’s South Side. Today, corrupt detectives in CPD and their allies in the Cook County states attorney’s office continue to tear families apart and draw them into conflict with the system.

“I’m in this fight because I was victimized,” said Robert Johnson, who was released from prison last month after serving nearly 29 years for a 1996 murder he had nothing to do with.

“I’m a survivor,” Johnson said in his remarks on the panel. “I think about these brothers that are still locked up every day. It’s hell in there.”

Jasmine Smith, a co-chair of both CFIST and CAARPR, set the tone for the event by asking the panel, “What needs to change in order to stop this pattern of police torture and abuse?”

Clayborn Smith, a wrongful conviction survivor and litigator, said change will not come from the current political parties. “Neither Democrat nor Republican actually want to do anything about [police torture and wrongful convictions],” Smith said. “They never talk about all the wrongfully convicted people locked up while the real criminal is on the streets.”

Adolfo Davis, who was sentenced to life without parole at age 14 and spent 27 years in prison, agreed with Smith about the need for mass action beyond mainstream political parties. “We know who politicians are,” Davis said. “We need us to change anything.”

Davis continued, calling out the racist tactics used by the ruling class to divide oppressed peoples. “They made us believe immigrants are our enemy,” he said. “It was all a plan to control us. Stop being tricked.”

“Change starts from you, the people, “ said Mark Clements, who spent 28 years in prison after being tortured into giving a false confession by Burge and his “midnight crew.” Today, he is an organizer with the Chicago Torture Justice Center and sits on the board of The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission (TIRC).

Clements called out the economic basis for mass incarceration and racist policing, and called for mass action to fight back. “From the days of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, we saw that when you affect their economics, they are open to change,” he said. “This system operates around money.”

Annette Gomez, wife of Elias Gomez, not only uplifted her husband’s case of 30 years of wrongful conviction, but she also reminded the room that this struggle is larger than just one case. “We have to continue to fight not just for my husband, but for your brother, and your cousin, and your nephew,” she said. “It doesn’t stop here.”

#ChicagoIL #IL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #CAARPR #CFIST #TIRC

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t Charge Rick Toledo!

Give Him His Property Back!

Protesting for Palestine Is Not a Crime!

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

This angelversary event marked the third anniversary of US Park Police and Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) murder of Martin’s beloved son, Dalaneo “Debo” Martin.

Dalaneo Martin was only 17 years old at the time of his death and was asleep in his car while police deliberated for over 30 minutes plotting on how to apprehend him, before breaking into the car and firing six shots into his back, killing him. His mother and the community have been fighting non-stop for justice and accountability since his death.

Friends, family, and community members took over the streets of DC, including a central bridge, to demand justice for Dalaneo Martin and other victims of federal and local police crimes, such as Phillip Brown and Julian Bailey.

Phillip Brown is a Black man who was shot at by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) during a traffic stop in October 2025. The bullets passed through his shirt collar, nearly killing him. After the incident, MPD covered up for HSI by omitting the shooting in the police report. Julian Bailey was another Black man who was murdered by US Marshals in early February in Northeast DC. These three cases all occurred within a mile of each other in a predominantly Black neighborhood.

The protest march route stopped at points connected to each shooting. The protesters marched over the Lorraine H. Whitlock Bridge and blocked major roads while commemorating the life of Dalaneo Martin and so many others whose lives were cut short due to police violence.

An organizer with DCAARPR spoke on their upcoming campaign for implementing CPAC, a Civilian Police Accountability Council, in DC, stating, “Dalaneo Martin and Julian Bailey should be alive today. Phillip Brown should never have had to deal with corrupt police officers and a near death experience. In a world where we, the people, have actual power over the police, all police officers involved in these cases would face the people’s justice. The only people who stand to lose from CPAC are the racist, crooked, and killer cops that terrorize our city.”

Terra Martin spoke to the crowd and connected the cases of Phillip Brown and Julian Bailey to her son’s case. Residents of the neighborhood left their homes to join the march and shouted alongside the demonstrators. Many cars that were both blocked off and drove by the march honked in solidarity with the chants of “Indict, convict, send this killer cops to jail!”

Once the protesters reached the point where Dalaneo Martin was asleep in his car before being attacked, Terra Martin played the audio recording of MPD and Park Police plotting to murder her son. She stated, “[The police] were right here, making all types of jokes. Not talking about how to safely take my son out the car or wake him up. They were making jokes like he did not exist, or like he was an animal.”

The final stop of the march was the home Dalaneo Martin had crashed into after the still anonymous Park Police agent shot him in the back and killed him. It was an emotional scene as Dalaneo Martin’s friends and family spoke about missing him and how important he was to the River Terrace community.

The march came to an end and protesters started to disperse, ensuring that people were leaving in groups and were accounted for, as the police were out in droves monitoring them. Not long after, DCAARPR organizers alongside Terra Martin were packing away supplies in a nearby parking lot, when she received a call from her daughter stating federal and local police had jumped out on her, her children, and her partner as they were parked at a nearby 7-Eleven.

Organizers quickly reacted and formulated a plan. They arrived at the scene and found a horde of MPD, FBI, and U.S. Secret Service surrounding Martin’s daughter’s car. The police had demanded she and her boyfriend get out of their car, and even searched the babies for weapons. The organizers started recording from multiple angles while yelling at the police to “get a real job!” One officer brutally shoved one of the organizers, while another officer snatched a phone out of an organizer’s hands.

The police quickly became overwhelmed by the pressure of people power, and ended up backing down, issuing no charges or even a ticket, and leaving within minutes. In victory, protesters shouted, “Long live Debo Martin!” and “Fuck the police!” It became clear to everyone that the police had singled out the car leaving from the protest and followed them to the 7-Eleven in order to charge them with anything, in an act of targeted political repression. In the end, the people drove out the reactionary police, defended their community, and exemplified the power of unity and organization.

#WashingtonDC #DC #InjusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #OppressedNationalities

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

New Orleans, LA – On March 5, activists disrupted the New Orleans Criminal Justice Committee meeting to demand New Orleans Police Officer Victor Gant be fired and charged for his role in the coverup of Jace Lee Scott’s murder. Scott was shot and killed by Gant's son, Andrew Gant, in 2019.

Before the meeting, Jace’s mother Shanta Scott and activists from the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and other organizations rallied outside of city hall. Signs read “Justice for Jace Lee Scott,” “Fire NOPD Officer Victor Gant” and “Federal charges for killer Andrew Gant.”

“We are out here today to pack the CJC meeting to demand justice for Jace and justice for all victims of NOPD violence and negligence,” said activist Toni Jones of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Jace Lee Scott was killed on November 24, 2019 by Andrew Gant, who was convicted of “negligent homicide,” thus avoiding a murder charge and prison time. Judge Nandi Campbell awarded Gant with a five-year deferred sentence after his defense argued that Jace was killed while the two were “play fighting.” No physical evidence supported this claim. Shanta Scott has said that Victor Gant's son only avoided prison time due to the actions of his father, who behaved outside of NOPD protocol when he found out about the killing.

Danyelle Christmas, representing the New Orleans Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, spoke to the double standards afforded to NOPD officers stating, “Laws were broken, yet somehow this officer is still allowed to work in city hall and his son is walking free.”

Shanta Scott also made her feelings clear, stating, “I have no trust in the New Orleans Police Department. I have no trust in the system. The whole system is guilty as hell.”

The protest then moved inside to public comment, where Shanta Scott spoke defiantly about Gant's crimes and her demands for justice. In response, city council members complained that Scott spoke longer than the allowed two-minute public comment window and stopped the meeting. The committee members then left the city council chambers and had New Orleans Police Department officers forcibly remove Scott and supporting activists from the chambers.

As Shanta Scott was forced out of the chambers, she continued speaking out against Officer Victor Gant. “He's covering up for murder!” Scott declared. Outside the chambers, she demanded action from the council shouting, “We want an independent investigation! We want CPAC! No more police policing police!”

Shanta and New Orleans Alliance members have stated that they plan to come back into the council chambers to demand justice for Jace on March 30 at 9 a.m.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #InJusticeSystem #NAARPR #NOAARPR

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

Brooklyn, NY – Organizers from the New York Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression held a speakout in Sunset Park on Saturday, March 14, just blocks away from the Metropolitan Detention Center, where up to 200 immigrants are being held by federal agents. The event was part of the group’s recently-launched “ICE Out” campaign, continuing the momentum established at mass rallies earlier in the year.

The speak-out began on the corner of 36th Street and 4th Avenue, where members of the New York Alliance handed out hundreds of flyers, delivered fiery speeches, and spoke to passersby about the campaign to kick ICE and federal agents out of the five boroughs.

A nearby subway station meant there was a steady stream of residents and families to engage with, the vast majority of whom reacted positively to the campaign. Some chose to stay and help hand out flyers, while others gathered on the sidewalk to take up chants and listen to speeches about the deplorable conditions at the MDC, the relationship between immigration enforcement and imperialism, and federal police oppression.

For many passing by it was their first time learning about the federal detention complex.

“I lived here for years at this point, I had no idea that prison was right here in my backyard,” Raqael Vasquez, a resident of Sunset Park, told one organizer. “That’s actually crazy. Seriously.”

After spending some time by the subway station, organizers moved to Industry City, a shopping complex on the same avenue as the MDC. Though the crowd here was composed mostly of young professionals and tourists as opposed to residents of Sunset Park, many onlookers took flyers and raised fists in solidarity. Drivers passing from the Gowanus Expressway underpass likewise honked in unity with the organizers’ message, which was audible from two blocks away.

Though the MDC is situated in an inaccessible and industrial corner of Brooklyn, the speakout drew attendees from all over the city, some of whom had learned of the New York Alliance from previous ICE Out campaign events. People from as far away as Staten Island and Bay Ridge gave up their Saturday afternoons to take part in the speakout, indicating the popularity of the campaign, and the frustration from New Yorkers that such a place is, indeed, operating in their backyard.

#BrooklynNY #NY #InJusticeSystem #NAARPR #NYAARPR #Prison

Colorado Springs, CO – On February 25, the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (COSAARPR) gathered with the family of Alex Martinez-Sarmiento in front of the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office to demand justice for Alex, and that DA Michael Allen move to indict his killer, officer Connor Jacob Wallick. Over 20 people gathered, including several of Alex’s siblings, nieces and nephews, friends, his mother, and his young daughter who is now growing up without her dad.

On July 5, 2025, CSPD’s Downtown Area Response Team responded to a call about a conflict outside of busy nightclubs at around 1 a.m. Based on surveillance footage from the Real Time Crime Lab, responding officers believed Alex Martinez Sarmiento was armed. When officer Connor Wallick approached with his gun drawn, yelling “Get your fucking hands up,” Alex, who did not have a gun in his hand, ran in fear and Wallick opened fire, shooting Martinez Sarmiento in the back several times and ultimately killing him.

This was the second instance of the Downtown Area Response Team fatally shooting someone in the back in the span of a few months – Nathaniel “Johnny” Altman, a disabled Black man experiencing homelessness was also shot in the back and killed by DART officer Carlos Pittman on March 31, 2025.

The group held banners calling for Connor Wallick’s indictment and Justice for Alex, one with a painted portrait of Alex, as well as picket signs with messages like “Justice for Alex Martinez! Indict Officer Wallick now!” “Blue lives murder!” “Justice for victims of police violence,” and “wanted” signs with Connor Wallick’s photo and a description of his violent and racist patterns of behavior.

The group chanted “Alex Martinez deserves to be alive! Connor Jacob Wallick deserves to rot in jail,” “No justice, no peace! No racist police,” “Connor Wallick we see you – racist, coward, killer too! DA Allen we see you – on the Brady List too,” and “When killer cops are on patrol, what do we need? Community Control!” to the beat of a drum.

Alex’s sister, Saray Rocha told the crowd, “My brother was always tough. Even as a little boy, he was never afraid of anything. That’s why it hurts so much knowing he ran because he was scared to go back to jail. He didn’t run because he wanted to hurt anyone, or because he wanted to die, he ran out of fear. I demand justice for my brother and I won’t stop until justice is served!” The group responded to her speech and tears with a resounding chant of “We love you, we we love you!”

COSAARPR chair Brandon Rincon highlighted Wallick’s pattern of racist policing, noting that “Connor Jacob Wallick had history of harassing Latinos and Chicanos, he’s famously known for arresting Club Q hero, Rich Fierro, put him in the back of a police car while he put the actual killer, Lee Anderson Aldrich, in an ambulance with victims.”

Rincon also spoke on the need for community control of the police, asserting that “We should have a mechanism for the people, by the people, that allows us to hold officers accountable when they wrong their communities. We deserve a say in how our communities are policed, and we deserve a say in who polices our communities, and we know damn well we don’t want Connor Jacob Wallick policing us anymore!”

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #InjusticeSystem #KillerCop #COSAARPR

Philadelphia, PA – On Friday February 27, the Philadelphia Alliance against Racist and Political Repression held a movie showing to commemorate Black History Month. The movie, Judas and the Black Messiah, is about the iconic Black Panther leader Fred Hampton and William O’Neal, who the FBI used to infiltrate the Black Panther’s and helped the Chicago Police department kill Fred Hampton.

The event was held at the LavaSpace in West Philadelphia and was attended by dozens of people from the neighborhood who were interested not only in learning more about Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party, but in getting to know all about the Philadelphia Alliance against Racist and Political Repression (PAARPR), its campaigns and its mission.

PAARPR chair Musa Bey had conversations with many of the attendees about the work PAARPR is doing in Philadelphia and the families it is working with, including the families of Robert Jones, Aaron Rainey and Amanda Cahill.

The movie event began at 5 p.m. with a short speech made by PAARPR Co-Chair Olujimi Alade which delved into Fred Hampton as a revolutionary and his impact on the Black Panther Party and the struggle for socialism and liberation.

PAARPR was able to establish a connection with the neighborhood residents, which is a foundation in building a presence in the West Philadelphia area, an important section of the city where many people have either experienced police brutality or know a loved one who did. By holding similar events, PAARPR aims to advance its aim of fighting for the community control of the police.

#PhiladelphiaPA #PA #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #BlackHistoryMonth #NAARPR #PAARPR

Oak Lawn, IL – On February 4, organizers from the Arab-American Action Network (AAAN) and members of the community gathered in Oak Lawn village in the Chicago suburbs. AAAN organizers handed out brightly colored whistles to everyone standing outside of the Village Hall building ahead of the monthly Oak Lawn Police and Fire Commission meeting.

Rania Salem of AAAN explained the choice, “Whistles have become a tool in our fight against ICE, and so we’re bringing them here to say ‘The bad guys are here and we’re going to get them out of our neighborhoods!’”

“We’ve been coming here nearly every month for about three years now, demanding justice for Murod Kurdi,” said Muhammad Sankari, a lead organizer within AAAN. Murod Kurdi was a young Palestinian American man who was killed in 2023 by Leanne Cusack, a white woman who struck him with her car outside of his home.

Cusack told police on the scene that she had been drinking, saying she’d just had a beer and a shot of alcohol. Astoundingly, the white officers chose not to administer a breathalyzer test and instead let her off with a minor traffic ticket, which she later contested in court.

AAAN, backed by the broader Palestinian and Arab community, demand that Cusack be held accountable, as well as the officers who let her walk free, and that state Attorney General Kwame Raoul open an investigation into the racism of the Oak Lawn Police Department.

The fight for justice for Kurdi is connected with the fight for justice for Hadi Abuatelah, who was beaten nearly to death by three Oak Lawn police officers in 2022, when he was just 17 years old, simply for running from a traffic stop.

The movement recently achieved a partial victory in the form of a near million dollar settlement for the Abuatelah family, but the Village of Oak Lawn and Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen Burke have still failed to meet AAAN’s demand that all three officers be fired and charged for their crimes.

The Oak Lawn Police and Fire Commission has refused to hold any officer accountable in the Kurdi and Abuatelah cases and has been stonewalling the community and limiting attendance at their public meetings.

During the most recent meeting, organizers and community members stood outside in the freezing cold for nearly an hour because the front door was locked and guarded by a dozen Oak Lawn police officers who watched the crowd from inside.

OLPD placed a speaker outside by the front entrance which they sometimes use to project the commission’s meetings after the community is removed from the building – a loophole to an Oak Lawn village law that requires Police and Fire Commission meetings to be open to the public.

One commissioner, Al Moyzis, heckled the protesters while waiting to be let into the building. “You have a big mouth”, he said to Salem of AAAN. “Well maybe you should be more vocal and do the right thing,” she shot back.

After a long wait, the doors were unlocked and community members filed into the building. Once it became clear that the commission had no intention of discussing Kurdi, the community did what they’ve done at every commission meeting for the last three years: they shut it down.

AAAN organizer Husam Marajda blew his whistle, stood up and shouted over the commission, “You have been sitting on your behinds for three years doing nothing. We will continue to demand justice for Murod Kurdi until you do something about it!” He blew on the whistle and chanted “Justice for Murod Kurdi!” as officers pushed him out of the room.

Salem stood up and continued the chanting and whistling. This time the crowd joined in, creating a deafening sound that continued as officers struggled to clear the room.

Even from the hallway, the whistles and chants of protesters were loud enough to disrupt the meeting. “Justice for Murod Kurdi!” and “Lazy racist crooked cops, get your ass a real job!” echoed through the building as the meeting room and hallways were slowly cleared. Even after everyone was pushed outside, protesters held the front door open and continued to chant into the building.

Salem closed out the evening with an invitation to keep the fight growing.

“See you next month,” Salam said. “bring your friends and family. We’re gonna keep coming back month after month until these guys are out of a job!”

#OakLawnIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #OppressedNationalities #AAAN #MurodKurdi #InjusticeSystem

Colorado Springs, CO – On February 23, the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (COSAARPR) gathered at Colorado Springs Police Department headquarters to demand justice for Michael Foster, a 35-year old Black man who was shot by CSPD officers Daniel Mork and Steven Mibert on February 2.

Joined by Foster’s family, a crowd of about two dozen protesters gathered chanting “Justice for Michael” and “Cut the pork and fire Mork.”

On February 2, the Colorado Springs Police Department executed a warrant for a suspect who was already in custody. During this operation, they identified 35-year old Black male Michael Foster as a “suspicious person” but confirmed he was not the person they were looking for. Foster was approached and chased by CSPD officer Daniel Mork, who Foster had previously sued for excessive use of force in 2023.

Michael Foster allegedly fired one round before being shot. After Foster was initially shot, he got up and tried to walk away from the threat. A second officer, Steven Mibert, began a physical altercation with Foster, pressing his pistol into Michael’s back multiple times. Foster, trying to remove the threat posed by the firearm, swatted at Mibert’s hand and was subsequently shot again – five more times while lying on the ground. Foster has luckily survived but is being held on a $1 million cash bond for defending himself against Daniel Mork, who previously cracked Michael’s skull open.

This has outraged the family, who spoke out at the rally on February 23. Loretta Foster, Michael Fosters’s mother, called for public officials, “Mayor Mobalade, take off your sheet and take off your mask, and represent your people.” She followed with “The attorney general of Colorado, you need to reach out to me! That’s my son, no one has reached out to me.”

The Colorado Springs Alliance states that they stand in solidarity with Michael Foster and his family and demand his immediate release from police custody.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #PoliceCrimes #InjusticeSystem #KillerCop #MichaelFoster #COSAARPR

Colorado Springs, CO – On March 2, members of the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (COSAARPR) gathered in front of City Hall to release a press statement on the investigation of Richard Arford and call out the CSPD for inaction in the six months since his death.

Banners calling for independent oversight of Richard Arford’s investigation billowed in the wind as members chanted “CSPD, we want transparency” and “Detective Crofoot we see you, racist, homophobic, sexist too” while raising signs demanding the CSPD detective Edward Crofoot met with the family now.

On September 2, Richard Arford, a gay Chicano man, was found naked, bruised and unconscious inside a burning abandoned building off a major roadway. His mother, Olivia Diez, was initially told by Detective Crofoot it was being investigated as a suicide. Diez disagreed and tried repeatedly to call Detective Crofoot but was met with complete silence for two months until COSAARPR released a statement on October 31 calling attention to the suspicious circumstances of Richard’s death.

“Richard’s mother, Olivia, has been treated by Detective Crofoot in a way that can only be described as gaslighting” said Jessie Proffitt, secretary for COSAARPR.

Proffitt stated that Diez “knew that she saw injuries all over Richard’s body when he was in the hospital, but Detective Crofoot claimed that he didn’t have any notable injuries like that, and any he had were likely from firefighters dragging him out of the building.” The autopsy showed abrasions and lacerations all over Richard’s body, “injuries that absolutely would not be possible from being dragged out of the building.”

Proffitt continued, “In the face of devastating loss, CSPD should not be creating more trauma, pain and confusion, but they have; with lies, minimization, and gross negligence of this investigation.” Proffitt concluded by raising demands of COSAARPR and the family, stating, “We join them in demanding answers, transparency, and honesty; a thorough investigation of this case as a potential homicide; support from a victim’s advocate; and a face-to-face meeting with Detective Edward Crofoot.”

COSAARPR has since called on community members to call Detective Crofoot’s office number at 719-444-7786 and demand that Detective Crofoot meet with the family face to face.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #InjusticeSystem #LGBTQ #OppressedNationalities