Orlando, FL – On Saturday Jan 31, over 1000 community members from across Orlando lined the sidewalks for six blocks on East Colonial near the Fashion Square Mall to demand ICE out of Orlando!

The protest was called for by several Central Florida organizations, including 50501, Orlando for Peace, Orlando Against Police Crimes, and several others.

A nonstop chorus of cars honked loudly as the things of energetic protesters waved signs and chanted, “ICE Out Now!” Many passengers even opened their windows to raise their fists or hold homemade signs of their own out of their sunroofs. The support from the greater community was loud and clear.

Many who attended the event expressed concerns not only with the ongoing arrests and detainments by ICE in Orlando, but also the potential creation of a new ICE detention center in Central Florida.

“We stand in solidarity with those in Minneapolis fighting the good fight, and with all of our immigrant neighbors across the country,” said Cassia Laham, an organizer with Orlando Against Police Crimes. “We won't let ICE kidnap and deport our neighbors or throw them in concentration camps. We don't want ICE in Orlando. We don't want ICE anywhere!”

In true Orlando fashion, those who attended the protest had many creative signs featuring Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Marvel motifs, including one with a hand-drawn Spiderman punching an ICE agent that read, “Stay out of my neighborhood!” Another beautifully hand-painted banner read, “ICE melts in the Florida sun.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #OAPC #ICE

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, January 17, dozens of organizations joined a parade in downtown Orlando to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While the parade included local police, one of the organizations that marched in the parade wanted to send a clear message to the police, the city and county governments to hold police accountable, jail killer cops, and reinstitute a civilian police review board.

Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) is a local, grassroots organization in central Florida that fights for justice for victims of police crimes and political repression. Activists in the group have worked to support the families of those killed by police and demand State Attorney Monique Worrell press charges against cops who kill community members.

“The police were not friends of Martin Luther King, of Black people on general, or of the Civil Rights movement! Why not babe the parade led by the Klan?” said OAPC organizer David Porter. “The police have not changed. And it's an insult to have them leading this parade!”

For the parade, members of OAPC marched with large posters that served as memorials for those recently killed by Orange County Sheriff's Office and OPD. The names and faces on posters and moving billboard were of Luis Lopez, Tyrone Bartley, Kaleb Williams, Juan Silva, Ronald Greene, Salaythis Melvin, Clarence Lake and Karvas Gamble, Jr., all of whom were killed by police.

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #OAPC #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #MLKDay

Orlando, FL – On July 16, community members and organizers with Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) attended a spaghetti dinner hosted by a local news station to demand answers from Orange County Sheriff John Mina.

The mobilization, organized by OAPC, sought answers and accountability from Sheriff Mina regarding the victims of police crimes. The extrajudicial murders of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley committed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) were emphasized.

During the Q&A portion of the dinner, Edmund Anglero of OAPC asked the sheriff, “When are you going to take meaningful steps towards holding the deputies who killed Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley accountable and will you commit to meeting with the families of the victims to answer their questions and hear their needs?”

OAPC organizers say they have been trying to contact Sheriff Mina for a few months now to no avail. Edmund Anglero further highlighted how the sheriff has been avoiding them, saying, “We are here today because we've exhausted all other channels to have our voices heard.”

Outside the community center, other community members were waiting with signs, banners and candles.

“We are gathered here today to mourn the lives of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley,” said OAPC member Jacob Muldoon. “We have gone through every possible medium. We have attended the Civilian Advisory Committee, no answers. We have attended the county commission, no answers. We have tried to get a meeting with Sheriff Mina, no answers. The only answers we have received is, and I quote, 'it is not in the best interest of all parties involved to discuss this matter at this time.'”

After the dinner, the sheriff hurriedly left while chants of “How many more must die? Sheriff Mina, tell us why!” rang out in the background.

There have been seven deaths so far this year directly related to Orange County Sheriff's Office-involved shootings and no answers or accountability from the sheriff. With the OCSO's decision to release only edited bodycam footage regarding the case of Tyrone Bartley, many in the community are doubting the official narrative.

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #OAPC

Orlando, FL – On Saturday, June 14, at least 6000 rallied outside of Orlando City Hall as part of the No Kings national day of action; several crowds spilled out into the surrounding streets. They rallied behind the slogan “We the people are pissed!” with a clear emphasis from protesters being placed on the ongoing campaign of raids being conducted by ICE, the continued repression and disenfranchisement of the LGBTQ community and women, as well as acting in direct opposition to the Trump administration itself.

Several groups made speeches, with calls to action to continue the fight and to get organized, including Orlando 50501, Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC), and Equality Florida.

Edmund Anglero, an organizer with OAPC, spoke on cases of police killings in Orlando, as well as cases of political repression by Orlando police. He also denounced President Donald Trump’s executive order 14288, which seeks to “unleash the police.”

Anglero also stated, “This kind of police and ICE terror is the same kind of terror used by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians as well as the repression unleashed against activists in the Philippines by the U.S.-backed Marcos dictatorship.” He closed his speech by stating, “by uniting the many, we can and will defeat the few.”

Corey Hill, with Orlando 50501, spoke, emphasizing the common struggle shared between those fighting in Orlando and those fighting against U.S. imperialism elsewhere.

The connection to other struggles was not isolated to the speeches of organizers, however. Throughout the crowds, people held Mexican, Palestinian, Venezuelan and Cuban flags, alongside signs reading “Free Palestine.” Many protesters wore Keffiyehs, and discussion of the Trump administration’s emboldening of the state of Israel were hard to miss.

While militarized police, FBI agents, and National Guard members brutalize Chicano organizers in Los Angeles, and labor organizers in Milwaukee and Austin, solidarity with the national wave of protests was clear and potent in Orlando.

Protesters called for ICE to be “crushed,” and speakers and protesters alike chanted together in solidarity with the ongoing struggles across the country. There was an understanding in the air that this protest and this struggle were part of a larger wave of popular outcry across the country.

#OrlandoFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #PeoplesStruggles #ICE #Trump #OAPC

Orlando, FL – On May 25, family, loved ones, and the community of gathered for a press conference to demand justice for Tyrone Bartley – a 32 year old who was shot and killed in his own home by Orange County deputies during a botched SWAT raid on the afternoon of May 16.

The press conference, organized by Orlando Against Police Crimes, sought to correct the police narrative and hear directly from the family and other tenants of the house.

The raid and subsequent death of Tyrone Bartley comes after the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence call on May 3 pertaining to another tenant of this rooming house. During this call, they found firearms and drugs, arresting two individuals unrelated to Bartley. Apparently, these findings were used to justify a further search of the premises because the deputies then sought a warrant and executed a SWAT raid. The police statement says that Bartley reached behind a door and this justifies his murder. The police stated they later found a rifle behind the door.

As is often the case with police shootings, the news and statements from the police seemed to differ with the facts and also leave out a few key details while exaggerating the wrongdoing of the victim.

Deputies had a warrant to search the residence of an entirely different tenant, according to Shereen Bartley, the sister of the victim, who said, “Every bedroom is like a different apartment. If they were in here on the third, they already knew that everybody was in their individual rooms. This is not a one-family dwelling.”

The partner of the victim stated that the rifle that was found is normally stored in a rifle case in the closet and would not have been behind the door. Tyrone Bartley was a lawful gun owner and the rifle he legally owned is being used to justify his murder. The first news report about the incident also included information about a 2017 arrest to try to paint Bartley as a criminal.

Recognizing the attempt to slander him, Brittani Jackson, the partner of Tyrone Bartley said, “Please take accountability. Instead of painting this amazing man out to be the bad guy, just tell the truth and admit you made a mistake.”

Edmund Anglero, a member of Orlando Against Police Crimes, ended his statement by highlighting the nature of police terror when they commit crimes like these, saying “The fear of having your door kicked in for something you didn’t do because some guy in your apartment might’ve gotten in trouble with the law. People shouldn’t have to live in fear of those we are told are protecting and serving.”

The family and loved ones of Tyrone Bartley join Orlando Against Police Crimes in calling for

Justice for Tyrone Bartley; release the bodycam footage now; name and charge the killer cops, and community control of the police.

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #PoliceBrutality #KillerCops #OAPC #Feature

Organizations like UCF Students for a Democratic Society, Orlando for Peace, Veterans Against the Machine and 50501 Orlando united with OAPC to slam the Trump administration’s latest attempt to undo all restraints put on police departments after the George Floyd rebellion.

Several organizers spoke out about the many local examples of police killings, including the Derek Diaz, who was killed by Orlando cases of Luis Lopez – an Orlando man who was killed by police in his home in February – and police in 2023 while sitting in his car.

OAPC organizer, Tony Renzetti, remarked that Trump’s executive order would further embolden racist police in Orlando, stating, “This executive order means more death and repression, and less accountability. I can’t imagine what an ‘unleashed’ police force looks like when they are currently routinely murdering members of our Orlando community in cold blood.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #OAPC #NAARPR #GeorgeFloyd

Orlando, FL – On Tuesday, April 8, Orlando Against Police Crimes and UCF Students for a Democratic Society held a press conference in support of Chris Gibson, a pro-Palestine student activist and member of UCF SDS who is facing felony charges for protesting Israel’s genocide against Palestine. Gibson was arrested and brutalized by Orlando Police Department officers outside of City Hall on October 7, 2024.

The state had a deadline of 180 days to file the charges and waited until the very last day to file them, demonstrating the bogus and targeted nature of these charges. The University of Central Florida suspended Chris and banned him from campus entirely, months after his arrest at City Hall and well before the charges were filed.

Gibson’s alleged offenses include battery on a security officer and resisting without violence.

Marcus Polzer, member of UCF SDS, stated, “Chris Gibson did nothing wrong when he protested against our state’s support of Israeli genocide. In fact, the only individuals who should be facing charges are the Orlando police officers who cracked down pro-Palestinian protesters and attempted to lock the doors to Orlando City Hall while a public city council meeting was taking place.”

Highlighting the political nature of the charges, Tony Renzetti, a member of Orlando Against Police Crimes stated, “Tactics like these are used to target outspoken individuals with the intention to repress free speech and assembly. We will not let them scare us into submission.”

Chris Gibson delivered the closing remarks, saying, “Having the community behind me like this is what makes it possible for me to get up here and speak at events like this, to explain the full impact of these events on me and my family. These charges are completely false, fly in the face of all evidence, and yet I'm still suspended from school, isolated from my friends, unable to remain part of student life and the Orlando community.”

Gibson added, “But through it all, I refuse – we refuse – to stop the struggle, to stop fighting for life and human decency. Because we're people with conscience, with the drive to stand up for what's right, and the courage to keep fighting no matter who tries to stop us.”

Orlando Against Police Crimes and UCF Students for a Democratic Society call on all progressive forces to unite and mobilize for Chris’ first appearance, which is set for April 30.

#OrlandoFL #FL #StudentMovement #OAPC #SDS

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.”

Cassia Laham read a statement by Loida Zunun, a close friend of Luis Lopez, about how the community is waiting for justice and accountability, “Alex Duran and Paul Ortiz should not be working as police officers if they are not prepared to act the right way.”

The meeting was poorly attended by its own board members; only two of the eight board members showed up, Warren Lewis and Michael Doby. It was noted by the meeting facilitator that recent state laws granted authority of board appointments to the chief of police, who might look to replace vacant members soon.

Edmund Anglero, a lead organizer with OAPC, explained how even though state law has restricted the review board, “we are here today because this is the only avenue for justice for Luis Lopez.” He then directly questioned the two board members on any updates, including the status of the offending officers, and issued a call to action for the board to release a statement expressing remorse for the killing of a valued community member, Luis Lopez.

One board member, Michael Doby, did not speak during the entire meeting, including when Anglero directly questioned the board about Alex Duran and Paul Ortiz being on paid administrative leave. The board had nothing to say about the procedures seen in the body camera and explained they would not be able to talk about the case for nine months to a year. They could not respond to whether there are policies regarding responding to those who speak Spanish.

The meeting ended with the facilitator saying, “the sheriff will hear about this.”

Afterwards, Anglero gave an interview to WFTV about the next steps in the campaign for justice for Luis Lopez, stating, “We are going to use that time to continue bringing awareness to what happened to Luis, including community outreach, collecting petition signatures calling on the state attorney to charge the officers, and growing the ranks of our organization.”

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PoliceBrutality #OAPC

On Thursday, March 6, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office released the bodycam footage detailing the events that took place on the evening of February 8, 2025 resulting in murder of 26-year old Luis Lopez by Orange County deputies.

 Around 11:30 pm, officers arrived at the scene in the Pine Castle neighborhood upon reports of a burglary in progress. The bodycam footage shows that both dispatch and the officers on scene had knowledge that a Spanish interpreter was being used to communicate. One officer found signs of forced entry at the front entrance of the home. At least two officers then entered the backyard and found a ladder propped underneath an open window that the intruder, a disgruntled coworker, had used to enter the home.

 In the video, Luis can be clearly heard shouting “No, no, no!” and “¡Ayuda!” or “Help!” in Spanish. A few moments later, Luis was seen from the window holding the intruder in a headlock. The officers ordered him to “drop the knife,” multiple times in English, a language which Luis did not speak. They each fired a round from their handguns, striking Luis in the head and killing him. No knife was found at the scene.

 Orlando Against Police Crimes strongly condemns the unjust murder of Luis Lopez. We demand that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office release the names of the officers responsible for Luis’ murder. Additionally, we demand State Attorney Monique H. Worrell to press criminal charges against the offending officers.

 Orlando Against Police Crimes is working alongside the friends and family of Luis Lopez to organize a memorial vigil at Lake Ellenor Park on Sunday, March 16 at 2 pm. The vigil will be an opportunity to honor his memory, demand accountability, and call for justice. For more information, visit https://orlandoapc.org

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #KillerCops #OAPC #NAARPR

¡Lucha y Resiste! servicio noticial esta circulando la siguiente comunicado de Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales

El jueves 6 de marzo, la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Orange publicó las imágenes de la cámara corporal que detallan los eventos que tuvieron lugar la noche del 8 de febrero de 2025 y que resultaron en el asesinato de Luis López, de 26 años, a manos de agentes del Condado de Orange.

Alrededor de las 11:30 p.m., los agentes llegaron al lugar en el vecindario de Pine Castle ante informes de un robo en progreso. Las imágenes de la cámara corporal muestran que tanto el despacho como los oficiales en la escena sabían que se estaba utilizando un intérprete de español para comunicarse. Un oficial encontró señales de entrada forzada en la entrada principal de la casa. Luego, al menos dos agentes entraron al patio trasero y encontraron una escalera apoyada debajo de una ventana abierta que el intruso, un compañero de trabajo descontento, había usado para entrar a la casa.

En el video se puede escuchar claramente a Luis gritar “¡No, no, no!” y “¡Ayuda!” o “¡Ayuda!” en español. Unos momentos después, se vio a Luis desde la ventana sujetando al intruso con una llave de cabeza. Los agentes le ordenaron “soltar el cuchillo” varias veces en inglés, un idioma que Luis no hablaba. Cada uno de ellos disparó una bala con sus pistolas, alcanzando a Luis en la cabeza y matándolo. En el lugar no se encontró ningún cuchillo.

Orlando Contra los Crímenes Policiales condena enérgicamente el injusto asesinato de Luis López. Exigimos que la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Orange dé a conocer los nombres de los oficiales responsables del asesinato de Luis. Además, exigimos a la fiscal estatal Monique H. Worrell que presenta cargos penales contra los agentes infractores.

Orlando Against Police Crimes está trabajando junto con los amigos y familiares de Luis López para organizar una vigilia conmemorativa en Lake Ellenor Park el domingo 16 de marzo a las 2 pm. La vigilia será una oportunidad para honrar su memoria, exigir rendición de cuentas y pedir justicia. Para más información, visite https://orlandoapc.org/es

#OrlandoFL #InJusticeSystem #LuisLopez #OAPC

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement by Orlando Against Police Crimes.

Orlando Against Police Crimes strongly condemns the murder of 24-year old Luis Lopez by Orange County deputies on the night of Saturday, February 8th in the Pine Castle neighborhood.

Officers arrived following reports of a burglarized home. In a statement to WFTV, a close friend of Lopez, Loida Zunun, said “Some guy was trying to get in his house, and he called my mom,” Zunun said. “He was scared, and he told us, hey, there’s somebody trying to come inside my house.”

Upon arrival, officers found Lopez defending himself with a knife. The deputies fired on Lopez and he was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.

The two deputies who reported to the scene, including the killer cop remain on paid administrative leave. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is currently investigating the case and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will conduct its own investigation upon its completion. However, due to the weakening and elimination of already-toothless review boards resulting from Republican-backed legislation like House Bill 601, there lacks a vehicle for independent civilian review and genuine accountability.

“He was just protecting himself. I don’t see another way. He asked for help, and we were trying to help him. He didn’t deserve this,” stated Zunun.

Orlando Against Police Crimes will be mobilizing to the upcoming Orange County Sheriff's Office Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) on February 13 to demand justice for Luis Lopez. The family is raising funds for funeral expenses to bring Luis back to his home country of Mexico, you can donate by clicking here.

Justice for Luis Lopez!

Jail the killer cops!

Community control now!

#OrlandoFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #KillerCops #OAPC

Orlando, FL – On January 20, organizations from around Central Florida rallied to protest the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.

Jacob Muldoon, district organizer of the Orlando District of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “We are here to begin the resistance to an agenda trying to take each of us down, from students and labor organizers to women and anti-war protesters.”

The group began with chants of “They say go back, we say fight back!” and transitioned into speeches by local organizers on how they will be fighting against the Trump agenda.

A member of UCF Students for a Democratic Society stated, “Thus, our focus should not be only Trump himself, but how he has emboldened universities, including our own UCF, to limit student rights in order to fit their own agenda. Just this year the UCF board of trustees moved to not only pass anti-trans policies on campus, but also multiple anti-protesting regulations on campus, as a response to the pro-Palestine encampments of Spring 2024.”

“What's particularly insidious about Donald Trump is how much he always has and continues to tout himself as an anti-war candidate,” said Cassia Laham from Orlando for Peace and the United National Antiwar Coalition. “We must continue demanding justice in Palestine, demanding the U.S. stop arming and funding the genocidal Israeli state, and demanding a world without U.S. wars.”

Edmund Anglero from Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) talked about the connection between the Trump agenda and local police agencies, stating, “Racist trigger-happy cops patrolling our community will be more willing to take someone’s life without fear of any repercussions. This is why we need to fight for police accountability, especially after the city dissolved the Civilian Police Review Board.”

The rally ended safely with a final chant of “Hey hey ho ho, the Trump agenda has got to go!”

The protest was led by the Orlando district of FRSO, alongside Orlando for Peace, UCF Students for a Democratic Society, Central Florida Queers for Palestine, American Party of Labor, Orlando DSA, Space Coast DSA, and Revolutionary Marxists of Orlando.

#OrlandoFL #SDS #FRSO #DSA #UCF #QueersforPalestine #Trump #Inauguration #OAPC #CPRB