Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

PoliceCrimes

By Matthew Compton

Anaheim community wants answers after the killing of Albert Arzola.

Anaheim, CA – On December 15, angry community members confronted the Anaheim Police Department (APD) at a community meeting after the department’s killing of Albert Arzola. A community member asked, “What do you mean by ‘produced a gun?’”

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By staff

Vanessa Perez, the mother of Joseph Perez speaking at rally.

City of Industry, CA – On Saturday, December 13, the family of Joseph Perez, Centro CSO, and other allies rallied outside the Industry Sheriff’s Station to demand justice for Perez, who narrowly survived a beating by at least five sheriff’s deputies on July 27, 2020. Perez required 17 staples and 19 sutures to close cuts across his face and scalp, served two years in prison for resisting arrest, and is still recovering from the trauma.

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By staff

Picket demands justice for Alex-Martinez Sarmiento.

Colorado Springs, CO – On December 11, the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (COSAARPR) gathered outside of the 4th Judicial District attorney’s office to demand justice for Alex-Martinez Sarmiento.

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By staff

Anaheim protest demands justice for Albert Arzola.

Anaheim, CA – On Wednesday, December 10, chants of “Justice for Albert Arzola!” filled the streets in Anaheim. Members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) protested with friends of Albert Arzola to demand justice after he was killed by and Anaheim Police Department (APD) gang unit.

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By Brandon Rincon

Colorado Springs vigil demands justice for Richard Arford.

Colorado Springs, CO – On Dec 7, the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (COSAARPR) joined the family of Richard Arford for a candlelight vigil outside of the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) headquarters to demand transparency and insight into the ongoing investigation of Richard Arford’s death.

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A U.S. participant at the International People’s Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace of our Americas.

Venezuela, Caracas – When we arrived in Caracas, we had a 30-minute bus ride from the airport to the hotel where we were staying. Watching the city go by and the beautiful mountains in the background, there were dozens of beautiful murals painted for Bolívar, Chavez and Maduro celebrating the Bolivarian revolution.

During the International People’s Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace of our Americas conference, there were many chants from all over Latin America -¡Viva Bolívar! ¡Viva Maduro! ¡Viva Diaz-Canales! ¡Viva Sheinabum!

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By Marce Soto Ramírez

Seattle protest against police terror.

Seattle, WA – Over 100 people gathered December 3, at 42nd Avenue S and S Othello Street to mourn and demand justice after Christian Hadley Nelson was shot and killed by as many as six Seattle Police officers at a busy intersection the previous afternoon.

The Seattle Police Department closed the streets and left Nelson’s body at the scene for over 12 hours, shocking neighbors and passersby. Authorities did not release Nelson’s name until December 5. By the time of the rally, community members were calling for the release of all details, including bodycam footage and the identities of the officers involved.

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By Gabriel Miller

Participants in the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression conference.

Chicago, IL – 500 organizers convened at the Chicago Teacher’s Union Hall from Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16 for the 52nd anniversary national conference of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR).

The conference was the fourth of its kind since the refounding of NAARPR in 2019. It showcased the tremendous growth of the organization and its fighting capacity since its original founding in 1973 out of the movement to free Angela Davis. 530 people registered for the conference, representing 31 NAARPR branches and affiliate organizations.

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By Gabriel Miller

Rally kicking off the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression conference.

Chicago, IL — 900 activists from across the country gathered at the Chicago Teachers Union Hall, Friday, November 14 for a rally on the opening night of the National Conference of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR).

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By Jessie Proffitt

Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression \[COSAARPR\] wins fight for free speech.

Colorado Springs, CO – On November 13, the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (COSAARPR) will meet at Fire Station 8 for the first time since being denied the public meeting space in September for political reasons.

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By staff

Washington DC protest against cover up of shooting by HSI officer.

Washington, D.C. — A group of 20 community organizers and activists gathered outside the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District station on Saturday, November 8, to demand transparency from the city’s officials – including Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chief of Police Pam Smith – around the October 17 cover-up, where an HSI agent shot into the car of an unarmed Black man. The Metropolitan Police (MPD) then lied about it on the police report. The action was organized by the DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (DCAARPR).

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By staff

LA cops attack Chicano Dodgers fans after World Series win.

Los Angeles, CA – On November 1, after the Los Angeles Dodgers’ winning Game Seven of the World Series, thousands of Chicanos took to the streets of their city to celebrate. The celebrations were met with extreme force by the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol.

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By staff

Dia de Los Muertos celebration in East Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, CA – On November 1, Centro CSO participated in the building of a community ofrenda (altar) at the Self Help Graphics’ 52nd annual Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in East Los Angeles. CSO’s altar honored the memories of community activists, victims of police brutality, and immigrants who have died while in ICE custody.

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By Robert Engel

Seattle press conference demands answers on another killing by police.

Seattle, WA – On November 2, the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR) held a press conference in response to an Seattle Police Department killing three days before. The press conference was held where the killing took place, by the intersection of 4th Avenue S and S Holgate Street.

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By staff

Derek Mejia, of CSO at October 22 protest against police brutality.

Los Angeles, CA – On October 22, 200 took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles for a protest against police brutality.

Melissa Miramontes is from United Families for Justice. Miramontes is a family member of Hugo Cachua, an Amazon driver who was killed this year by Ontario Police. She stated, “But this reality is every day for us impacted families. Every day that killer cops are allowed to be free is another day our families’ heartbeats are weakened more and more. Bless all stolen lives, may this evil system crumble and be weakened by our strength and may we hold on and never lose hope.”

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By staff

Attendees at police town hall meeting demand community control.

North Charleston, SC – On October 28, organizers with the Lowcountry Action Committee (LAC), a branch of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, attended a North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) Town Hall meeting to stand in solidarity with Black young people who have been brutalized by police for selling Palmetto Roses at various stores in North Charleston.

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By staff

DC press conference federal law enforcement shooting Black man and police cover up.

Washington, DC – The DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (DCAARPR) gathered with local organizers and community members outside the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) headquarters on Tuesday morning, October 28, for a press conference on an explosive federal cover-up – the shooting of an unarmed Black man.

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By Anthony Renzetti

Orlando protest demands prosecution of killer cops.

Orlando, FL – Members of Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) gathered outside the Orlando headquarters of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), October 21, to denounce the results of two investigations that found no officers accountable for the murder of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley.

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By staff

A protester stands with a sign demanding justice for Junious Coleman. Coleman's death was wrongfully ruled a suicide after he was shot outside New Orleans East Public Library in November 2022.

New Orleans, LA – On Wednesday October 22, dozens of people rallied in front of City Hall for a protest against police brutality. Directly affected families spoke out about corruption and neglect in the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), demanding that the Public Integrity Bureau be held accountable for failing to hold officers accountable.

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By Tristen McFarland

Aurora, Colorado candlelight vigil on the one-year anniversary of the police killing of Kory Dillard.

Aurora, CO – On Friday, October 3, family, friends and members of the community gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember the life of Kory Dillard one year after his death. The vigil took place where Dillard was killed by officers Kevin Rodier and Ryan Shamblin of the Aurora Police Department.

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