Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, August 30, hundreds of Chicano activists and community members gathered in East Los Angeles to commemorate the 55th Chicano Moratorium. Organized by Centro CSO along with a coalition of activist organizations, the day’s march and rally centered the fight for Chicano self-determination, an end to Trump’s ICE attacks, and solidarity with Palestine.

The Chicano Moratorium is known as the Chicano Liberation Day, honoring August 29, 1970 when 30,000 Chicanos marched in East LA to protest the Vietnam War, the high casualty rate of Chicanos in that war, and racist conditions. The rally was attacked by the Los Angeles Police Department and LA Sheriff’s Department whose officers swung batons and teargassed the entire community. Hundreds were arrested and three killed, including Ruben Salazar, a well-known journalist who had become critical of police and immigration abuses. Many believe he was targeted for assassination.

The police attack caused the community to rebel and fight back against the police and many police went down. This historic day is part of the longtime struggle of Chicanos for self-determination. Since the Mexican-American War, Chicanos in the Southwest have faced fierce oppression, but have always resisted. That march and rally brought in a new generation of fighters for Chicano Liberation.

55 years later, the demands of Chicano activists are similar. For this 55th annual Chicano Moratorium, organizers hung a banner on the lead truck of the march. The banner listed the current demands: Self-determination for the Chicano Nation, solidarity with Palestine, ICE out of LA, community control over the police, defend public education, and no to U.S. wars!

The day’s activities started with a rally at the Sound of Music, formerly the Silver Dollar Bar where Salazar was murdered. Carlos Montes, member of the Central Committee of Freedom Road Socialist Organization and a long-time veteran of the Chicano Movement, kicked off the rally with a speech about how the struggle of the Vietnamese people against the U.S. military radicalized a generation of Chicanos to oppose U.S. imperialism. Other speakers at the first rally included Beña Martinez, representing About Face: Veterans Against the War, who talked about resisting wars, military recruitment, and the presence of troops in U.S. cities, and Ernesto Ayala, chair of el Partido La Raza Unida, who noted the long history of Chicano resistance.

Derek Mejia, a leader of CSO’s Police Accountability Committee, introduced a block of speakers against police crimes. Stating, “Much like the IDF, LAPD and LASD are instrumental in the United States’ attacks and continued suppression of the right toward self-determination of the oppressed Chicano people of Aztlan.”

Mejia’s speech also focused on how Centro CSO has taken up a campaign to win justice for Jeremy Flores who was killed by LAPD’s Hollenbeck Division in June. Cindy Nuñez, a member of United Families for Justice and the sister of Francisco Nuñez, shared about the fight to expose LASD brutality while Arienne Duncan demanded justice for Jimmy Lopez, who was beaten to death by the Hemet Police Department.

Angelica Reyes, a member of Union del Barrio and a LAUSD teacher, gave a speech about fighting for her students and families against the brutal ICE raids. Liza Peña from La Mesa Brown Berets closed the rally with a speech about how the Brown Berets continue the fight for Chicano power.

After the kickoff rally, over 500 people began marching down the historic Whittier Boulevard with energetic chants like “Chicano power!” “Fuera la Migra!” “Viva, viva Palestina!” and “Aqui estamos y no nos vamos.” The public responded with yells, raising fists and honking horns. 90-plus degree weather did not stop the loud, energetic political chanting, denouncing Trump’s racist attacks.

As the marchers arrived at Salazar Park, they were met with cheers as they joined the crowd. The main rally began with a speech by Sol Marquez of FRSO LA, who said, “We named our nation Aztlan in 1969, and we will continue to organize with the multi-national working class to overthrow Trump!”

Then Art and Terry Navarrete followed by sharing about Centro CSO’s immigration work, which includes barrio walks and the victory of having the charges dropped on Alejandro Orellana. Sabrina Medina talked about getting raided by the ICE and FBI, which included having the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Dr. Phil in her home. “They have been terrorizing my family! Don’t let the FBI and ICE agents harass your family or our neighborhood,” said Medina. Her mother Lisa Medina, a street vendor activist, was arrested and deported.

Dr. Rocio Rivas, LAUSD board member, spoke about the importance of education and defending students and families, stating, “Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo, adelante mi gente!” Longtime UFW/SEIU organizer Eliseo Medina said, “When people stand up and fight, they will always win!”

Sergio Flores, brother of Jeremy Flores, stated, “They get to go home and continue on with their everyday activities, while we get to never see my brother again, love him again, laugh with him again. And that’s not right!” Sergio gave his speech with his mother and sisters standing beside him. Black Lives Matter-LA Grassroots leader Baba Akili gave an energetic speech about uniting Black and Chicano people to fight Trump’s attacks.

United Teachers Los Angeles Vice President Gloria Martinez spoke about the struggle to defend public education. Juan Parrino of Los Rucos talked about the original Chicano Moratorium issues and how we are fighting similar struggles today. Lupe Carrasco Cardona of the Association of Raza Educators talked about promoting and defending ethnic studies and how the association is part of the community defense against ICE raids.

Sammy Carrera, a member of Centro CSO and a Teamster Local 396, stated, “ICE agents are kidnapping and terrorizing the working class while the monopoly capitalists are getting rich off the prison industrial complex.” He also said Chicanos know how to fight back and will do so against ICE attacks.

The 55th Chicano Moratorium reinforced the fight for self-determination for the Chicano nation, solidarity with Palestine and the ongoing fight against ICE attacks. It also stressed the importance of fighting against police killing with the demand of community control of police and the key fights to defend and promote public education against privatization.

Vera Topete, a Centro CSO member and emcee concluded the rally by encouraging people to join Centro CSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ChicanoMoratorium #OppressedNationalities #ImmigrantRights #CSO

Los Angeles, CA – On August 30, at 3 p.m., Chicanos, impacted families of police brutality, people raided by ICE and the FBI, along with supporters will in East Los Angeles, for a march, marking the 55th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium.

The march will begin at Sounds of Music record store, the site of what was once the Silver Dollar; a bar where many including LA Times reporter Ruben Salazar took refuge after LAPD and Los Angeles sheriffs mercilessly beat and attempted to disperse participants in the August 29, 1970 Chicano Moratorium. Salazar was killed by LA sheriffs. The moratorium’s demands were ending the Vietnam occupation and equality for Chicanos.

Tomorrow, a large coalition will be commemorating the 55th anniversary of this event and uplifting current demands such as stand with Palestine, ICE out of LA, Chicano self-determination, community control of police, and defend public education.

The coalition is made up of Centro CSO, Union del Barrio, Black Lives Matter: Los Angeles, Jewish Voice for Peace, About Face LA, UTLA, Teamsters, SEIU, Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and United Families for Justice, which consists of police killing impacted families of Jeremy Flores, Francisco Núñez and Hugo Cachua.

“I believe it is important to commemorate the 55th Chicano Moratorium, because we once again find ourselves, as a people, in a crucial moment, where staying silent is complicity,” says Centro CSO member and security lead Derek Mejia, “People should be out in the streets on Saturday August 30, standing up against the ICE raids and with Palestine! It is important that we continue and maintain the long history of the Chicano struggle.”

The 55th commemoration will begin at 3 p.m. at the Sounds of Music record store, where attendees will begin marching, and ending at Salazar Park for a rally and entertainment starting at 4:30 p.m. That part of the event will take place at the Whittier Boulevard/Alma Avenue side of the park. The family-friendly event will have free food, water and entertainment.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #Chicano #ChicanoMoratorium #ImmigrantRights #OppressedNationalities #CentroCSO #UniondelBarrio #BlackLivesMatter #JVP #AboutFace #SEIU #Teamsters #UTLA

Los Angeles, CA — On August 28, authorities released highly-edited footage of the shooting of Jeremy Flores, a Chicano who lived in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. Flores was killed by LAPD Hollenbeck Division officers on July 14.

Under two California Laws passed in 2018, AB 748 and SB 1421, the LAPD was forced to release body-worn footage 45 days after the killing of Jeremy Flores. Despite the omission of the head-on footage of the officers firing the lethal shots that stole Flores’ life, the video still shows the atrocities they committed on July 14.

Flores was holding a toy when he was killed – an airsoft BB gun. No aid was rendered for hours. SWAT fired tear gas at his body.

A drone was deployed and is shown in the newly released video approaching Flores’ deceased body. Though he was slumped over his seat, officers are heard in the video ordering Flores to comply and to exit the vehicle. The DOJ is investigating the shooting.

Since his killing, Flores family, along with Centro CSO and supportive Raza, have been fighting and demanding the unedited body cam footage be released by LAPD.

The struggle for accountability and justice has been led by the family of Jeremy Flores and Centro CSO for the past 45 days since his murder. There have been press conferences, protests and marches to police stations and comments made at LAPD commission meetings.

When Paola Mendez, the girlfriend of Jeremy Flores, was asked about the video, she responded, “They used the phrase ‘didn’t comply’ to shield their department – but the truth is, Jeremy wasn’t resisting. He was unresponsive, dying from the very gunshot wounds they inflicted. To claim Jeremy ‘refused to exit the vehicle’ – before being shot at and after – is not only misleading, it’s a cruel manipulation of the facts.”

Mendez continued, “Jeremy was wearing a seatbelt. He was gravely injured. He could not move. The so-called ‘weapon’ was on his lap, not in his hands, and there is no evidence whatsoever that he pointed it at anyone. He was dying, not defying. Suggesting he had the ability to comply after being shot is not just dishonest, it’s an attempt to rewrite the truth and erase accountability. We will not allow this narrative to stand unchallenged. Jeremy deserves justice, not distortion.”

“This demands to be addressed. What happened to Jeremy was not just unfair – it was a brutal misuse of power,” said Mendez. ”The force used against him was excessive and unjustified. And now, the body cam footage released to the public tells a distorted story. It’s been selectively edited to reflect their narrative, not the truth. Key moments are missing. Context is erased. This is not transparency, it’s manipulation. We will not stay silent while they rewrite reality to protect themselves.”

Sergio Flores, the brother of Jeremy Flores, said of the highly-edited body cam footage, “It’s insane how a badge gives you the right to kill people and walk freely but if it’s done without it, you’re a monster and in prison for life. It’s a sad world we live in. Justice for my little brother Jeremy!”

Flores also called out Bruce Cross, the officer seen narrating the video that LAPD posted. Flores said, “Bruce Coss had the audacity to say that once my brother was dead, Jeremy Flores was taken into custody without further incident. My brother was dead way before that! The killers and everyone involved should be locked in prison for life, not out here ‘protecting the streets.’ You’re who we have to watch out for!”

Beña Martinez, a member of Centro CSO, said, “This is a clear injustice, and the rifle-bearing officer especially took the law into his own hands and deserves to be jailed. He stripped Jeremy Flores of any rights afforded under our laws when he decided he was judge, jury and executioner instead of an investigating officer.”

“When I see Jeremy’s family, I am reminded of Boyle Heights circa 2016,” said Sol Márquez of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). Marquez lived next door to the apartment complex where 14-year-old undocumented Chicano Jesse Romero frequented. He was chased by LAPD killer cops Eden Medina and Alejandro Higareda on August 9, 2016, shot and killed, despite Romero holding his hands up. “If we let LAPD get away with it, nobody will be punished or held accountable for taking Jeremy’s life. If he was doing something wrong, he could have had his day in court. Even monsters like Trump get a day in court. This is why we will keep uplifting his name and fighting to prosecute Jeremy’s killers.”

LAPD has shot at least 18 Chicanos in Boyle Heights since 2015. Centro CSO is the only organization on the ground in Boyle Heights fighting back against police terror. Centro CSO fights alongside impacted family members, who are working-class Chicanos, as they fight for justice for their loved ones.

CSO uplifts the demands of “Jail killer cops” and “Community control of police” while wanting an end to the killing of Raza and Black People. Centro CSO demands that LAPD Hollenbeck officers Fernando R Godinez, Livier Jimenez and Michael R Ruiz be charged with the murder of Jeremy Flores!

You can keep up with Centro CSO on all social media platforms.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PoliceCrimes #CentroCSO #JeremyFlores

Los Ángeles, CA – El 2 de agosto, Centro CSO y la familia de Jeremy Flores se reunieron en Mariachi Plaza en Boyle Heights para exigir justicia para un hombre chicano de 26 años, quien fue asesinado por agentes de la División Hollenbeck del LAPD el 14 de julio.

La protesta comenzó con una marcha hacia la estación de policía de Hollenbeck y terminó con un mitin en Mariachi Plaza y una recaudación de fondos para apoyar a la familia.

Los manifestantes incluyeron a la familia Flores y sus seres queridos, organizadores de Centro CSO y decenas de residentes que acudieron en unidad y solidaridad. Portando pancartas con consignas como “Justicia para Jeremy Flores” y “Encarcelen policías asesinos”, los manifestantes avanzaron por 1st Street coreando y exigiendo rendición de cuentas por la muerte de Jeremy. La familia y simpatizantes corearon: “¡Publiquen los nombres!” y “¡Publiquen las grabaciones!”, subrayando su demanda de justicia y rendición de cuentas.

Frente a la estación de Hollenbeck, un simpatizante del LAPD apareció y agredió a manifestantes y familiares afligidos usando un extinguidor de fuego. A pesar del ataque, la protesta continuó con firme determinación. Los manifestantes siguieron con la demostración y luego marcharon de regreso a Mariachi Plaza donde una serie de oradores se dirigieron a la multitud. Entre los oradores estuvieron familiares y amigos de Jeremy Flores y representantes de About Face: Veteranos Contra la Guerra, LA Mesa Brown Berets, Centro CSO, un miembro del Sindicato Teamsters, la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL).

“Jeremy no tuvo una segunda oportunidad en la vida. El LAPD le robó eso a él y a nosotros, nos quitó nuestros planes y sueños del futuro”, dijo Paola Méndez, novia de Flores, dirigiéndose a la manifestación. “¡Nos íbamos a casar, estábamos construyendo una vida juntos! Pero gracias a ustedes y su valentía, lucha y solidaridad, el nombre de Jeremy no ha sido olvidado. Su historia se está contando, su humanidad está siendo honrada, y eso se significa todo.”

“Denunciamos el asesinato brutal de Jeremy Flores”, dijo Lelani González, quien habló en nombre del Comité de Responsabilidad Policial de CSO. “Exigimos una investigación independiente y exhaustiva; exigimos que encarcelen a los policías asesinos y que publiquen los nombres y los historiales disciplinarios de los policías que mataron a Jeremy Flores.”

Alejandro Orellana, miembro de Centro CSO y de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad quien enfrentó cargos del FBI este verano por su activismo por los derechos de los inmigrantes afirmó: “Estos incidentes están interconectados. Esto es opresión nacional. Porque Jeremy era un chicano y yo soy un chicano. Creen que pueden hacer lo que sea y arrestarnos sin debido proceso”.

Los oradores recordaron a la multitud que el caso de Flores no es aislado: es uno entre muchos, y es parte de la razón por la que el movimiento por justicia y control comunitario de la policía sigue creciendo. Enfatizaron la necesidad de desmantelar el sistema que sigue criminalizando, brutalizando y matando a la gente chicana y negra de clase trabajadora sin rendir cuentas. Los oradores vincularon el asesinato de Jeremy Flores con un patrón más amplio de violencia policial en Boyle Heights y en todo el Este de Los Ángeles, citando la larga historia de prácticas racistas policiales y represión estatal en las comunidades de nacionalidades oprimidas.

El mitin concluyó con consignas: “¡Justicia para Jeremy Flores!” y “¡Publiquen los nombres!”. La exigencia es clara: ¡Los responsables deben ser nombrados, expuestos y obligados a rendir cuentas!

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CentroCSO