News and Views from the People's Struggle
Santa Ana, CA – On Monday, June 15, Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) served a demand letter to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) and the city of Santa Ana threatening to sue if they do not immediately start producing records of the in-custody death of Freddie DeAngelo Washington.
Atlanta, GA – On Thursday, June 11, the family of Linton Blackwell and members of the Atlanta community attended the Atlanta Citizens Review Board’s meeting. Speakers demanded that the board investigate the murder of Linton Blackwell, killed by police officer Gerald Walker.
Blackwell was killed by off-duty cop Gerald Walker on October 11, 2025. The cop shot Blackwell 17 times in the back. Walker is still working for APD and has faced no accountability.
Linton Blackwell was a 42-year-old father of two, an artist, and a resident of the Buckhead neighborhood in Atlanta. He grew up in East Lake Meadows, the housing projects which are now a golf course.
The Linton Blackwell family and supporters packed the room and gave public comments. All public comments were about Linton Blackwell. Jimmy Hill, cousin of Linton Blackwell, said, “Atlanta Police Officer Gerald Walker had numerous violations. There were many red flags. Why were they ignored? Who was responsible for allowing Gerald Walker to work an off-duty job knowing he was a risk?” Speakers pointed out the seven previous sustained violations Gerald Walker had in his record.
The Atlanta Citizen’s Review Board is a police oversight committee which investigates police misconduct. The board was created in 2007 after Atlanta Police murdered 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston, planted drugs in her house, and kidnapped a false witness to cover their tracks.
The Atlanta Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression organized the mobilization and spoke in support of the family. Organizers and the family vowed to continue the fight until they get the answers and accountability they demand.
#AtlantaGA #GA #InjusticeSystem #PoliceAccountability #LintonBlackwell
Jacksonville, FL – Friends, family, and concerned community members gathered at Riverview Park on Saturday, June 6, to honor the life of Rashaud Martin.
The vigil was planned by A Mother’s Cry, a Jacksonville Community Action Committee coalition of family members who have lost their loved ones to police violence.
Chicago, IL – Survivors of police torture, family members and supporters of Johnny Plummer packed a Cook County Courtroom on Tuesday, May 26 to witness the cross examination of the former Chicago Police Department detective who Plummer says beat him into confessing to a murder he had nothing to do with.
Milwaukee, WI – On the evening of May 25, a few dozen community members in Milwaukee gathered to pay tribute to the 6th anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police. The vigil was organized by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.
Oakland, CA – On May 12, around 20 Oakland city workers, activists and community members mobilized to City Hall in support of civilians taking over the 38 administrative jobs currently occupied by the Oakland Police Department (OPD).
New York, NY – On Wednesday, May 6, the Movement of Rank and File Educators gathered for general assembly in Midtown Manhattan. More than 40 classroom teachers from across the city met to discuss the presence of NYPD in schools and the police’s role in oppressing the student body of New York and intimidating teachers and staff in schools. The group was joined by the Dignity in Schools organization, which is against scanners and police in schools.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice, authored by Alissa Washington and Jae Yates.
Minneapolis, MN – On Wednesday, April 22, the city of Minneapolis released a long-awaited after-action review examining the Minneapolis Police Department’s failures in the handling of the murder of Allison Lussier and the shooting of Davis Moturi.
Detroit, MI – On Saturday, April 18, the Detroit Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression held a rally at the corner of Clark Avenue and West Fisher Service Drive to demand that the Detroit City Council pass the People’s Bodycam Ordinance, a progressive city ordinance that would force the police to release body-worn camera footage from incidents of police violence. Banners were held by the road and over the highway overpass, with the slogans. “Stop protecting killer cops! Pass the People’s Bodycam Ordinance!” Protesters at the rally chanted, “When killer cops are on patrol, what’s the answer? Community control!”
Jacksonville, FL – On April 14, dozens of community members gathered on the steps of Jacksonville City Hall to demand the establishment of a permanent professional mental health team to respond to mental health crises, instead of police.
Tallahassee, FL – On Jan. 15, the Tallahassee City Commission held a final public hearing on Ordinance No. 24-O-40, which is for the creation of the Citizens Police Review Board (CPRB). The Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC), along with other community members came out to oppose the dissolution of the CPRB ordinance.
Minneapolis, MN – Police accountability. Rent control. Ending cruel encampment evictions when no shelter is available. A minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers. A city council that doesn’t oppose community initiatives from communities like East Phillips, Little Earth and North Minneapolis.
Milwaukee, WI – In the lead up to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Committee of the Whole meeting, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression held a press conference on Wednesday, September 27. The press conference called attention to the report by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) about certain conditions inside the County Jail and the need for transparency and accountability from both the MCSO and the Board of Supervisors.
Seattle, WA – Over 20 community members and activists brought together by the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR) gathered at City Hall on September 26 to deliver public comment and demand justice for Jaahnavi Kandula, who was killed by Seattle Police officer Kevin Dave on January 23, 2023.
New York, NY – The police union that represents NYPD officers, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), has intervened in an historic legal settlement in an attempt to prevent new regulations on how police respond to protests.