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

Austin, TX – On Friday, March 13, around 20 students rallied in front of the Student Services Building at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) in support of students targeted by UT administration for protesting against Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” and the consolidation of ethnic and gender studies departments.

This rally was organized by Austin Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) for the defense of Daniel Ramirez, who is currently facing the possibility of suspension. Daniel Ramirez, who is also a member of Austin SDS, addressed the crowd before walking into his suspension hearing, pointing out, “This repression will not stop us. While repression doesn’t mean we’re winning, it means they’re scared of us.”

As Ramirez walked into the Student Services Building, the crowd cheered him on, chanting, “We want justice you say how, drop all the charges now,” “No more secrets, no more lies, student voices will never die!” and “The students united, will never be defeated!”

Elise James, a member of Austin SDS, elaborated on why Austin SDS felt compelled to protest against the university administration. James said, “For most of its history, UT has pushed its students to protest because they do not care about us. We have to make them listen.” She challenged the university’s narrative, saying, “To the people who tell us we should have been respectful, we were. We have been trying to reach them for months, but they did not listen.”

Jesse Valdelamar, a member of La Frontera Unida, spoke on the effect consolidation will have on the ability for Chicanos to learn about their own history, stating, “UT President Jim Davis and his lackeys want Tejanos to forget about our history, to forget about the pain and suffering that’s we’ve had to endure, and above all, to not be proud about who we are.”

Mia Reballosa, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “The university is making millions of dollars from oil and exploitative contracts with sweatshops. They also hire war hawks and war criminals.”

Reballosa continued, “When we are repressed, we need to double down. We need to be bolder. We need to let the university know that we won’t back down.”

Despite the repression, Austin SDS plans to continue its campaign against department consolidation.

#AustinTX #TX #StudentMovement #SDS #PoliticalRepression

Grand Rapids, MI – Nida Abu Baker was a child when the FBI began their decades long campaign of repression against her father, Shukri Abu Baker, and the charity he helped run, The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF).

After trumped-up material support for terrorism charges and nearly two decades of prison, Shukri and his colleague Ghassan Elashi still remain behind bars. Their crime: fundraising for humanitarian aid and the construction of schools and clinics within Palestine.

It was weeks after 9/11, and the U.S. was already flexing its domestic muscle by ramping up its Islamophobic “war on terror.” Shukri Abu Baker, alongside his colleagues Mohammad El-Mezain, Ghassan Elashi, Mufid Abdulqader and Abdulrahman Odeh, were some of its earliest domestic victims.

Palestine solidarity activists in Grand Rapids were honored to have Nida Abu Baker speak on her own activism and the struggle to free her father and his colleagues from prison. She was joined by Zena Ozier, an activist-lawyer with the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), and Tom Burke, a member of the Anti-war 23 and labor leader, for a panel discussion featuring the story of the Holy Land 5 and the struggle of political prisoners at home and in Palestine.

“Politically, I didn’t choose activism. Activism chose me. I had no choice. My politicization came from my personal experience,” Nida Abu Baker began. “Everything that I am now is because of my childhood. When the HLF shutdown it’s like I lost my home. A lot of people in the community felt the same way. Homes were raided. Phones were tapped, people we loved were suddenly gone and deported. I was only seven years old when the initial raids happened, but I understood why we were being targeted – that helping Palestinians was being criminalized.”

After their sentencing, it became clear that the U.S. had been surveilling the Holy Land Foundation since the mid-90s. In 2001, the Foundation was raided and its assets were frozen. In 2004, the U.S. indicted the Holy Land 5 and raided their homes. In 2008, the five were convicted and sent to jail with heavy sentences ranging from 15 to 65 years.

“Growing up I remember seeing an unmarked FBI vehicle always parked in our neighborhood. The phones always sounded fuzzy – we knew we were tapped and we knew we were being watched. But that didn’t stop us from living normally,” said Abu Baker

When asked about her background and her own activism, Zena Ozier explained: “I learned to question the law. As a Lebanese American, I understood occupation. My maternal village had been occupied by Israel. My own lineage and family carried the struggle – it's part of my ancestry. The law here isn’t meant to protect people like us.”

Ozier continued, “Since the repression of the Holy Land 5, the U.S. uses several mechanisms to repress activists. For example, the prosecution itself was meant to send a chilling message to other organizations that even humanitarian aid could lead to prison time.”

The panelists also made it clear that solidarity between activists, groups, and between those facing political repression was necessary for combating these types of bogus charges.

“There were ties between what happened to the Anti-war 23 and the Holy Land 5,” explained Tom Burke. “Their goal was to give us sentences like what the Holyland 5 received – 15 years for just one charge.”

Both Shukri Abu Baker and Ghassan Elashi are in Beaumont Prison complex in Texas. Both face worsening conditions brought on through almost 20 years of imprisonment and mistreatment.

“My father has had two near-death experiences while in Beaumont,” Nida Abu Baker said. “The conditions there are horrible. Once, my father was gassed by guards while other prisoners were fighting and he collapsed. If it weren’t for other inmates coming to his aid he would’ve passed away. Guards are constantly harassing him, raiding his room, and cutting him off from the outside world. Despite this he is an activist within the prison and has helped transform the lives of his fellow inmates for the better.”

The panelists fielded many questions from the audience on international solidarity, the Palestinian prisoner movement, and on organizing strategies.

Watch the full livestream of the event on Instagram @palestinesolidarity_gr

#GrandRapidsMI #MI #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #HolyLand5 #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

The Governor’s argument for persecuting CAIR builds on the legacy of the sham prosecution of the Holy Land 5, which was based in the North Texas city of Richardson, and conflates support for Palestinians with “terrorist activity.”

Groups in Dallas-Fort Worth showed their firm solidarity with CAIR, the co-coordinator of DFW Anti-War Committee (DAWC), Josh Rudd had this to say, “We as DAWC firmly oppose these racist attacks on CAIR by the Abbott regime. We will always stand in solidarity with our Muslim siblings against Islamophobia. We recognize the way the U.S. weaponizes Islamophobia and other forms of racism to continue ‘forever wars’ against Asian and African communities. We are working to shut down the bomb factory, Repkon, in Garland, Texas, that builds the genocidal weapons of U.S. imperialism.”

Greg Abbot and the Texas GOP have repeatedly tried to use Islamophobic sentiment to rally their base, but they have been repeatedly defeated in their attempts. In Republican controlled Tarrant County, the district attorney sought to send Raunaq Alam and Afsheen Khan to prison for decades for pro-Palestine graffiti. They failed in part due to organizations like the National Lawyers Guild, CAIR and the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), which organized support committees for the targeted individuals.

Other tactics by the state against Muslims include the targeting of the East Plano Islamic Center, which announced plans in March 2024 to build a residential community and mosque in rural Collin County. In that case, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed multiple frivolous lawsuits against the developers and directed state agencies to launch fraudulent investigations into all aspects of the mosque, including directing the Texas Funeral Services Commission to revoke EPIC’s permission to perform burial services.

Texts unearthed in the lawsuit revealed that Kristin Tips, the director of the Texas Funeral Services Commission and an Abbot appointee, was sending anti-Islam media from a pro-Israel media network to her executive director. Notably, these tactics of administrative investigation presaged a similar wave of tactics used by the national Republican party to investigate critics and whistleblowers in the federal workforce, such as the cooperation by the Federal Finance Housing Agency in prosecution of New York Attorney General Letita James.

To date, all of these unjust prosecutions and administrative actions have been defeated in courts. But instead of accepting his losses, Greg Abbot continues with the unjust and likely illegal attacks. In their response to the publicity stunt by the right-wing governor, CAIR touts their record, having defeated Abbot numerous times, including thwarting a 2019 anti-BDS law that led to the firing of a Muslim teacher, his 2024 efforts to ban Palestinian solidarity organizations from campuses, and protecting the rights of individuals with pro-Palestine views to qualify for public employment and contracts.

But the fight is not over. Local organizations, including PYM and the Muslim American Society, have joined the chorus of opposition to Abbot’s anti-Muslim agenda. As Texas continues to serve as a right-wing laboratory for state persecution, all eyes should turn to the organizing that has successfully pushed back this Islamophobic agenda.

#DallasTX #TX #OppressedNationalities #AntiWarMovement #CAIR #ArabAmericans #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #DAWC #PoliticalRepression

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following October 5 statement by LSU Students for a Democratic Society.

On Wednesday, October 1st, LSU Students for a Democratic Society attended the second meeting of the LSU Presidential Search Committee to protest the corrupt and undemocratic presidential search process. Several SDS members gave public comments to voice their concerns and demands to the committee. After going over her allotted time by a mere 10 seconds, Gabriela Juarez was violently dragged out of the building by LSU PD officers Thomas Schiebe and Dayton Landry without warning, resulting in extensive bruising. LSU’s Todd Woodward stated that she was given lawful orders, but this was a lie. She was then arrested and placed in a police car.

Other SDS members demanded her release and stood in front of the police car as they linked arms. Six more protestors were then arrested as well—SDS President Margo Wilson, SDS Vice President Ziad Eissa, SDS Treasurer Carson Wall, and members Scott Sonnier, Enola Guyer, and Ryan Spalt. All seven were taken to the LSU PD station.

While in custody, they overheard officers say, “We've got to figure out what we’re going to charge these kids with,” AFTER they had already been arrested. Some officers were overheard using ChatGPT to understand the charges they were writing on the summons. After multiple hours, all but Juarez were released. Juarez was instead transferred to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, where she was held until nearly 2 AM the next morning, totaling a detainment of over 13 hours. Juarez was released only after pressure was placed upon the prison through constant phone calls from the students demanding her release. Additionally, Juarez faced relentless transphobia throughout the entire booking process and even after being released, Juarez has been made a target for violent transphobia through online comments and harassment.

All seven members face at least 2 misdemeanor charges, with one having received 3. These charges include simple obstruction of a highway of commerce 14:97, resisting an officer 14:108, and interference with an educational process 14:329.5. No one was charged with disturbing the peace 14:103, despite that being what the officers arresting Juarez stated she was being charged with. This inconsistency of charges is confounding, considering the member who received 3 charges was not sent to prison like Juarez. It is clear Juarez was only booked due to her ethnicity, gender identity, and prior doxxing on the LAGOP facebook.

LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman and Search Committee Chairman Scott Ballard stated he hopes the students arrested aren’t held criminally accountable, but admitted to being the one who requested LSUPD’s presence at the meeting. Trey Jones, LSU’s attorney, admitted in a meeting that search committee members had worked out an agreement with LSUPD prior to the arrests. Trey Jones explained that it was “constitutionally legal” for the search committee to request our removal from the building. LSUPD and the search committee both understood prior to the arrests that all the committee would have to do is give the police the wave, and they would remove us.

Given that there was a plan in place beforehand, these arrests highlight the lengths LSU administrators are willing to go to crush any dissent. Instead of waiting for Juarez to finish her comment, LSU chose to escalate the situation and have her arrested. The fact that this agreement was worked out beforehand tells SDS that our No MAGA President campaign is clearly threatening their agenda.

One LSU administrator even admitted that now we have a “constitutional issue to piggyback off of,” and LSU’s Police Chief said he thought Wednesday’s actions were regrettable. LSU may not understand why their actions were wrong, but it is clear they regret their actions due to the negative publicity. Additionally, it has ultimately brought more attention to the corruption taking place in the process of hiring LSU’s next president. They know the students are not intimidated by them, and SDS has every intention of seeing our 'No MAGA President' campaign through.

SDS demands a public apology from LSU for these unjust arrests, but more importantly, we demand ‘No MAGA President’ and that the DA doesn’t file any charges!

DARE TO STRUGGLE, DARE TO WIN!

#StudentMovement #SDS #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression

The temperature is rising by the day and the air is thick with a dangerous new electricity. The magnified polarization of this country points to the unraveling of a system built on inequality, repression and an empire whose decline is accelerating. Flashpoint events like Kirk’s killing are not isolated incidents, they’re symptoms of a terminal illness.

Figures like Charlie Kirk and his machine, Turning Point USA, were once fringe commentators. But they seeped into mainstream politics during Trump’s first and second terms and have been systematically forging a political atmosphere of reactionary hatred.

The playbook is clear: poison the well of public opinion and debate with the raw sewage of white supremacist conspiracy theories like the “Great Replacement,” dehumanize immigrants as predators, LGBTQ people as “groomers” and resistance as terror and crime. In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd, Kirk called him a “scumbag.” He claimed that the millions who flooded the streets after Floyd’s extra-judicial execution had simply “misinterpreted” the situation.

This is the kind of bald-faced reaction Kirk stood for and propagated. It is the deliberate drumming up of moral panic to justify a crackdown.

Political violence comes with this climate – a climate his movement has meticulously cultivated. Now they wield the event of Kirk’s going into that good night as both a national tragedy to be mourned and as a weapon to brand all progressive movements and dissent as terrorism. Declaring states of emergency and deploying National Guard troops in Black cities is another weapon they’ve been wielding. They are going to use this killing as justification for another wave of repression and reaction. We’re going to oppose every attack, and we will be in the streets, with as many people joining us as possible.

But their weakness is our opportunity. A system this desperate and openly corrosive can’t stand. Through the cracks, and the incredible energy of the masses fighting back, we can see a glimpse of a different future.

The call is to build something real. Joining together in a revolutionary group means moving from just being a target of reaction to being architects of our own liberation. We are building a movement that has enough power and enough bounce-back to weather attacks, to tear down the rotting structure of the current system, and to lay down the foundation for what comes next: a society based on justice, equality and real freedom.

The question is not if this system will fall, but what will rise in its place. We’re not going to let them drag us into their dark age. This is a historic moment of crisis and transformation that we have to seize. Now is not the time to hide or slow down. It’s the time to organize, unite and fight for the world we know is possible: socialism.

The future is not something we wait for; it is something we build together starting today. Join FRSO.

#PeoplesStruggles #CharlieKirk #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FRSO #Statement

Minneapolis, MN – On August 21, the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) held a nationwide webinar on the topic of combatting political repression targeted against the anti-war movement.

Meredith Aby, a member of AWAN’s steering committee, introduced the webinar stating, “The Trump administration, by targeting our movement, is trying to create a chilling effect in this country, trying to increase their own power, and trying to punish anyone who challenges the Trump administration.” Aby went on to point out that “Our activists have been targeted for marching in the street, for car marshaling, for being at public meetings and chanting. What we need to do is defend this right to dissent. Dissent is not a crime!”

Attendees tuned into the webinar from Chicago, Seattle, Boston, New Orleans, and many other cities to hear how activists from all over the country have fought back against political repression.

One such activist, Jess Sundin of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, pointed out that while political repression of the anti-war movement has been escalating, FBI raids against anti-war activists are nothing new. In 2010, Sundin, along with 22 other anti-war activists, was raided by the FBI and subpoenaed to a grand jury which was empaneled in hopes of bringing “material support for terrorism” charges. against the targeted activists. In the webinar, Sundin told activists that, “To legally raid your home, they have to have a warrant, and it has to be proper.” That is, even having the wrong date could make the warrant invalid. Sundin also cautioned against speaking to police or federal agents, stating, “Don’t do anything that might help them.”

Maya Sanchez, speaking for New Orleans Stop Helping Israeli Ports (NO SHIP), spoke of political repression faced by the students who erected the encampment at Tulane University in 2024.

Sanchez stated, “During the erection of the encampment, seven protesters were immediately dragged away and arrested by Tulane police.” A student was even kicked in the head by a horse mounted by New Orleans police during the same period. “36 hours later,” said Sanchez, “at 3 a.m., Tulane police and over 100 state police showed up with armored vehicles and tactical gear, pointing assault weapons at peaceful protesters, students, and community members.”

NO SHIP immediately publicized the arrests with flyers and organized mass call-ins to the prosecutor’s office. As a result, “We had detainees released within hours without bail because of those efforts,” said Sanchez. When the arrestees were brought to trial, NO SHIP continued to apply pressure by packing courtrooms, holding rallies outside the court, and waging pressure campaigns and issuing public statements on social media. Ultimately, said Sanchez, “All of the students who were arrested, all of them, were found not guilty, or their charges were dropped.” Sanchez concluded with a reminder that “It’s definitely not easy, but you have to put yourself out there, be loud about what’s going on.”

Introducing the final speaker, Meredith Aby summed up one of the key takeaways from the webinar, which is that “When you have a political fightback that’s out in the community, not just secretly behind closed doors with lawyers, that’s where you win.”

Carlos Montes, long-time member of Los Angeles CSO wrapped up the webinar with a retrospective on the case of Alejandro Orellana. On July 29, the federal government announced they were dropping the conspiracy charges that had been brought against Chicano activist Orellana after his arrest sparked a nationwide public defense campaign.

“It’s a victory for Centro CSO,” said Montes, “and a victory for all freedom fighters in the immigrants rights movement that are fighting against ICE terror.”

The two-hour webinar concluded with questions for the panelists. Overall, every speaker emphasized the importance of mass, public defense campaigns as the key method for fighting political repression. Federal agents, police, and ICE will use every method at their disposal to try and trick and intimidate activists into silence because they know that our greatest strength is our unity.

As long as political repression against the anti-war movement continues to escalate, the fightback will only grow stronger. “La lucha sigue,” said Carlos Montes, concluding the panel. “The struggle continues.”

#MinneapolisMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #AWAN #PoliticalRepression

Los Angeles, CA – El 29 de julio, el gobierno federal proclamó que los cargos de conspiración contra el activista Chicano Alejandro Orellana fueron retirados – una victoria para el Centro CSO y todos los luchadores por libertad en el movimiento de derechos de inmigrantes peleando contra la violencia de ICE.

El 12 de junio, el FBI, la Guardia Nacional, y la Estación del Sheriff de LA del Este asaltaron la casa de Orellana. Detuvieron a Orellana, destruyeron su casa familiar, y lo encarcelaron en el Centro de Detención Metropolitano que ha sido la ubicación de muchas manifestaciones contra la deportación. El Departamento de Justicia lo acusaron de conspiración de cometer desorden civil y ayudar e instigar desorden civil, que podría haber resultado en una sentencia de cinco años en prisión para Orellana.

Después de siete semanas de luchar en una campaña nacional, Centro CSO se mantuvo firme y luchó contra las probabilidades contra la represión política y la intimidación y tuvo éxito. El Abogado de los EEUU Bill Essayli – mano derecha de Trump – se rindió a la presión y se dio cuenta que no ganaría el caso. Como notaron los apoyadores de Orallana en las acciones en todo el país, redistribuir escudos facial y botellas de agua no es un crimen.

La campaña consistió en días nacionales de acción exigiendo que el Abogado de los EEUU Bill Essayli retire los cargos a Alejando. Los aliados en todas partes del país publicaron declaraciones de apoyo, manifestaron en las calles, prepararon videos de apoyo, escribieron cartas y llenaron las líneas de teléfono para instar a Essayli que retire los cargos fabricados. CSO hizo un impacto y llenó la sala de tribunal con apoyadores durante las audiencias de Orellana.

Con su audiencia, Orellana y el Centro CSO lo hizo claro que es muy bien hecho rebelarse contra las injusticias crueles contra la Raza.

“Protestar no es un crimen,” dijo Orellana como respuesta cuando el gobierno retiró los cargos. “Proteger la comunidad no es un crimen. La razón por la cual ganamos es porque estamos en el lado correcto de la historia y nuestra causa es justa.”

Los ataques a las personas no documentadas todavía aumentan en su número y ferocidad, mientras el proyecto de ley de Trump desastroso proporcionará miles de millones de dólares al presupuesto de ICE para alcanzar las cuotas de deportación por secuestrar a gente inocente de las calles y los sitios de trabajo. El Agente Principal de la Patrulla Fronteriza de California Gregory Bovino ve a todas las personas no documentadas como criminales que deben ser recogidos en campos de concentración como intenta a penalizar a cada quien se pone contra los raptos cometidos por policías federales.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #PrepressiónPolítica #FBI #ICE #DerechosDeInmigrantes #CentroCSO #FBI #CSFR #L4A #Destacado #ImmigrantRights #PoliticalRepression #InJusticeSystem

Los Angeles, CA – Centro CSO and supporters gathered at Mariachi Plaza, July 30, for a press conference to announce their victory over the Department of Justice, as it dropped the charges on anti-ICE protester Alejandro Orellana.

After seven weeks of nationwide pressure on U.S. Attorney Billal “Bill” Essayli, Alejandro is a free man and can live without government restrictions or reporting to a parole officer.

On July 30, U.S. District Judge Serena Murillo dismissed the case without prejudice after Bill Essayli asked to drop the charges the day before.

“We are here today to celebrate,” said Jordan Peña, who is part to Centro CSO leadership. “They were coming after Alejandro as a direct act of political repression because of the work we do in CSO and the way we protect our communities.”

Orellana’s victory is the latest example of cases against anti-ICE protesters being dropped because those prosecutions, clearly politically motivated, can’t stand up in court. Centro CSO also demanded the charges on all immigrant rights protesters who stood up against ICE be dropped and that all political prisoners be released.

Alejandro Orellana went up to the podium, which was full of microphones, and spoke in defiance against Essayli, the U.S. Attorney, who had celebrated the June 12 raid in the media. Orellana also thanked the dozens of organizations for their unwavering support of his case.

“Protesting and protecting yourself and your community from police violence and draconian deportation policies is not a crime,” said Orellana during his speech. “And that’s why Billal’s case fell apart, because they had nothing. As history has made evident, the far right continues to be paper tigers.”

Long time Chicano activist Carlos Montes spoke about what transpired at Orellana’s house when the FBI, National Guard and East LA Sheriffs raided him. ”Centro CSO stood firm and fought against political repression and intimidation and we’re glad that Alejandro is free!” Montes said “Trump's lapdog Essayli gave into pressure and realized he can’t win this case. It is right to protest. It is right to rebel against inhumane injustices against Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans.”

“When I heard he was arrested, some of my coworkers and myself were furious,” said Henry Cornejo, a UPS worker and member of the Teamsters union who works alongside Orellana. “I consider what he did heroic, distributing face shields to protesters that were being shot at by LAPD 40mm launchers.” Cornejo continued. “I’m standing here in solidarity and victory with Alejandro and Centro CSO for winning this case. These charges were dropped because we as activists, as a community and as Raza knew these accusations were baseless.”

Centro CSO is building for the 55th Chicano Moratorium on August 30 in East Los Angeles, where political repression against the Chicano movement continues. The main themes will highlight legalization for all, anti-war activism, and community control of the police.

To join the struggle and keep fighting back against political repression, you can reach out to Centro CSO on Instagram @CentroCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #ICE #ImmigrantRights #FBI #StopFBI #CentroCSO

El 29 de julio, el pueblo logró una gran victoria: ¡los dos cargos federales inventados en contra de Alejandro Orellana, activista de Los Ángeles por los derechos de los inmigrantes, fueron retirados!

La Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad aclama a todos los que respondieron al llamado nacional para movilizarse en defensa de Alex y a cada persona que lo apoyó. No sólo nos solidarizamos con Los Ángeles en el levantamiento contra las redadas de ICE, sino que mantuvimos firmeza cuando vinieron por los organizadores. Defender a nuestros activistas y camaradas es un logro extraordinario, y cada participante debe sentirse orgulloso.

El FBI allanó la casa de Alex y lo acusó de conspiración para cometer desorden civil, y de complicidad e instigación en desorden civil. El compinche de Trump en California, el fiscal federal Bill Essayli, intentó meter a Alex tras las rejas por hasta cinco años por el supuesto “delito” de distribuir protección personal a manifestantes que enfrentaban balas de goma y gas lacrimógeno. Este fue un claro intento de detener la creciente resistencia contra ICE y las deportaciones en todo el país — y de asustar a los activistas para que no salgan a las calles.

En respuesta, luchamos, organizamos una campaña nacional de defensa, y ganamos.

Las lecciones de esta campaña de defensa son claras e importantes. Primero, fue vital que Alex y quienes lo apoyaron hablaran abiertamente sobre quién es él, los cargos en su contra (y el tiempo de prisión que implicaban), su reputación como un líder de Centro CSO, y que él es miembro de la OSCL. Las acciones de Alex durante el levantamiento fueron heroicas, y nuestra decisión de hablar libremente sobre ellas le ganó apoyo crucial de la gente.

Segundo, decidimos realizar una movilización nacional que incluyó mítines, conferencias de prensa, declaraciones públicas de apoyo, campañas masivas en redes sociales y días de llamadas telefónicas. Estábamos determinados a ganar en el tribunal de la opinión pública. De esta manera, se les dio a las personas formas de ejercer presión sobre la fiscalía y el enemigo.

Finalmente, hubo una buena y agresiva estrategia legal. El equipo legal trabajó arduamente por el mejor resultado posible y tomó medidas para preparar un juicio, donde estábamos listos para llevar a Trump, su gobierno y al fiscal federal Essayli a juicio por criminalizar la protesta en lugar de lo contrario.

Las lecciones clave de esta campaña de defensa son las mismas que aprendimos con los 23 Antibelicistas, la defensa de Carlos Montes y Rasmea Odeh, y el caso de las 5 de Tampa. El propósito de la represión política es usar el miedo para sofocar nuestros movimientos y silenciar a sus líderes. Si nos negamos a ceder al miedo y elegimos luchar, si asistimos a las audiencias y miramos a los fiscales a los ojos, si hablamos con la prensa y las masas sobre nuestros casos, tenemos oportunidad de ganar.

Estas lecciones son clave para superar las tormentas que nos esperan. Estamos entrando en una época de creciente represión por parte del gobierno de Trump. Sin embargo, también entramos en un período de creciente lucha, valentía y resistencia de las masas, quienes han demostrado estar dispuestas a luchar por un mundo mejor.

Si tenemos el valor y la determinación para enfrentar la represión, podremos construir una organización revolucionaria. El caso de Alex Orellana nos muestra que los ataques no significan derrota, que es justo rebelarse, y que a pesar de la represión, tenemos oportunidades para crecer y un mundo por ganar. La lucha acaba de comenzar.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #OSCL #Statement

On July 29, the people achieved a great victory: the two bogus federal charges on Los Angeles immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana were dropped!

The Freedom Road Socialist Organization hails everyone who took up the national call to mobilize for Alex's defense and every one of his supporters. Not only did we stand with Los Angeles in the uprising against ICE raids, but we held our ground when they came for the organizers. Defending our activists and comrades is an outstanding achievement, and everyone who took part should be proud.

Alex was raided by the FBI and charged with conspiracy to commit civil disorder, and with aiding and abetting civil disorder. Trump's California crony, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, tried to put Alex behind bars for up to five years for the so-called “crime” of distributing personal protection to protesters who were facing rubber bullets and tear gas. This was an obvious attempt to stop the growing resistance against ICE and deportations across the country — and to scare activists off of the streets.

In answer, we fought back, mounted a national defense campaign, and won.

The lessons of this defense campaign are clear and important. First, it was vital for Alex and his supporters to be open about who he was, what the charges were (and how much time they carried), his reputation as a leader of Centro CSO, and that he is a member of the FRSO. Alex’s actions in the uprising were heroic, and our choice to speak freely about them won him critical support from the people.

Second, we chose to do a national mobilization filled with rallies, press conferences, public statements of support, social media blitzes and call-in days. We were determined to win in the court of public opinion. In this way, people were given ways to put pressure on the prosecution and the enemy.

Finally, there was a good and aggressive legal strategy. The legal team worked hard for the best possible outcome and took actions to prepare for a trial setting, in which we were prepared to put Trump, his administration, and U.S. Attorney Essayli on trial for criminalizing protest instead of the other way around.

The key lessons of this defense campaign are the same lessons we learned from the Anti-War 23, the defense of Carlos Montes and Rasmea Odeh, and the case of the Tampa 5. The purpose of political repression is to use fear to quell our movements and silence its leaders. If we refuse to give into fear and choose to fight back, if we go to our court appearances and look the prosecution in the eye, if we speak to the press and the masses about our cases, we stand a chance to win.

These lessons are the key to weathering the storms waiting for us. We are entering a time of heightening repression from the Trump administration. However, we are also entering a period of heightening struggle, courage and resistance from the masses, who have shown that they are willing to fight for a better world.

If we have the grit and determination to stand up to repression, we can build a revolutionary organization. The case of Alex Orellana shows us that attacks don't mean defeat, that it is right to rebel, and that in spite of repression, we have opportunities to grow and a world to win. The fight has just begun.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ImmigrantRights #FRSO #Statement #CSFR #FBI #ICE #StopFBI #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – On July 29, the federal government announced the conspiracy charges against Chicano activist Alejandro Orellana were dropped – a victory for Centro CSO and all freedom fighters in the immigrant rights movement fighting against ICE terror!

On June 12, the FBI, National Guard, and the East LA Sheriff station raided Orellana’s home. They arrested Orellana, destroyed his family home, and locked him up at the Metropolitan Detention Center that has been the site of many anti-deportation protests. The Justice Department charged him with conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder, which could have resulted in up to five years in prison for Orellana.

After seven weeks of fighting a national campaign, Centro CSO stood their ground and fought the odds against political repression and intimidation and were successful. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli – Trump's lapdog – gave in to the pressure and realized that he would not win this case. As Orellana’s supporters noted at actions across the country, handing out face shields and water bottles to protesters is not a crime.

The campaign consisted of national days of action demanding that U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli drop the charges on Alejandro. Allies around the country released statements of support, held protests, made videos of support, wrote letters and flooded phone lines pressuring Essayli to drop the trumped-up charges. CSO made an impact and filled up the courtroom during Orellana’s hearings.

With their victory, Orellana and Centro CSO made it clear that it is right to rebel against inhumane injustices against Raza.

“Protesting is not a crime,” said Orellana in response to the government dropping its charges against him. “Protecting the community is not a crime. The reason we won is because we are on the right side of history and our cause is just.”

Attacks on undocumented people are only increasing, as Trump's disastrous bill will allot the ICE budget billions of dollars to meet his deportation quota by abducting innocent people from the streets and workplaces. California Chief Border Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino sees all undocumented people as criminals who should be rounded up to concentration camps and he tries to criminalize anyone who stands against abductions by masked federal agents.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #ICE #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #Feature

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

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is calling on organizations across the US to join a National Day of Action on August 7 and to demand that the charges on Alejandro Orellana be dropped. There is no crime in protesting ICE and deportations, protecting protesters, and speaking out against Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.

On August 7, Alejandro Orellana, an immigrants rights activist and leader in Centro Community Service Organization in East Los Angeles, will have his final pre-trial hearing. He currently faces two bogus federal charges, one of conspiracy and another to commit disorder, and is looking at up to five years in prison for protesting ICE raids in LA. The trial itself will begin on August 26.

The prosecutor and law enforcement allege that Orellana drove a truck carrying personal protective equipment (PPE) and face shields to anti-ICE protests and that this constitutes a conspiracy to commit a crime. But in our view, there is nothing wrong with bringing face shields to protests while police are shooting rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds.

In multiple instances, police have taken out protesters’ eyes with rubber bullets. Federal agents have been flouting due process, raiding workplaces and parking lots, and arresting hundreds of immigrant workers, like the 200 immigrants arrested off farms in Camarillo, California, while police brutalize protesters.

Orellana has done nothing wrong. He has dedicated over 10 years of his life to demanding justice for Chicanos and Latinos who were killed by police or who were deported. He has opposed unjust wars, and he has spoken up again and again for what is right. He represents a political threat to the Trump administration, and that is the sole reason he is being targeted.

On the other hand, the US Attorney Bilal Essayli represents the opposite. He is pursuing charges against other anti-ICE protesters, including the union president of the SEIU California, David Huerta. Huerta was held in custody on a $50,000 bail. Essayli defended Trump’s decision to use the California National Guard to quell the LA protests. Essayli carries out the MAGA agenda full-force, and he is Trump’s man in California.

It is in the interest of everyone who believes in civil liberties, the right to free speech, and the right to freedom of assembly, to demand that the charges on Orellana be dropped. Neither protesting Trump, nor ICE, nor deportations, should ever be a crime.

On August 7, we are asking everyone to:

1. Organize a protest for August 7 at a federal building, federal courthouse, or local ICE office, to demand that the US government drop the charges on Alejandro Orellana.

2. Call U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli on August 7 at 213-894-2400 and demand that the charges be dropped.

3. If you are in an organization, release a solidarity statement to demand that the charges be dropped.

4. Donate to the legal fund: Venmo @CentroCSO or Zelle CSO at: +1 (323) 580-3764

You can find flyers, materials, and case updates for Alejandro Orellana at www.stopfbi.org, on this page. Keep scrolling to find the downloadable materials.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #StopFBI #FBI #CSFR #ImmigrantRights #ICE #AlejandroOrellana #CentroCSO #Feature

New Orleans, LA – On July 11, at approximately 11:50 a.m., two FBI agents knocked on the door of local pro-Palestine activist Heather Awyan at her residence.

After identifying themselves, the FBI agents immediately began asking Awyan about “reports of antisemitic activity or internet postings.” The agents did not even ask Awyan to identify herself but wanted to know her “take” on those “reports.”

In response, Awyan stated, “I have no take because I don’t have a lawyer” and ended the interaction. Before leaving the front stoop, one agent pressed Awyan further by asking her if anyone had been harassing her. Awyan replied, “I have nothing to say to you. I don’t have any comment.” The two FBI agents walked away.

Activists should remain vigilant against political repression and harassment by knowing their rights when interacting with law enforcement. Do not speak to FBI agents under any circumstances, except to confirm your name, get their card or contact information, and decline to speak to them. Shut the door and call an attorney. More resources can be found at stopfbi.org, the website of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

The FBI knock on Awyan reflects a pattern of repression by Trump’s federal agencies against activists, journalists and organizers who speak out against U.S. imperialism, U.S. support for the genocidal state of Israel, and most recently, ICE raids and illegal abductions of immigrants.

But even in light of this repression, activists across the country have bravely resisted intimidation tactics and continued to fight within the peoples movements.

When asked if this unexpected FBI visit will affect her organizing work and solidarity with Palestine, Awyan responded, “No, not at all. There’s no stopping the billions of us worldwide who want to see a free Palestine and the freedom of all oppressed people.”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #FBI #StopFBI #CSFR #PoliticalRepression #Feature

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

A trial date of August 26 was set for immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana at his July 3 court appearance in front of a room packed with supporters. Orellana was arrested by the FBI on June 12 for protesting against ICE in Los Angeles. He faces up to 5 years in prison for two bogus federal charges: conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is calling for a national day of protests on the first day of Orellana's trial, August 26th, to demand that the charges be dropped. To everyone who believes in the right to free speech, to protest ICE, and to say no to deportations, we urge you to organize a local protest on that day at the nearest federal courthouse.

Orellana has spent much of his adult life fighting for justice for Chicanos, Latinos, and many others. He has opposed the killings of Chicanos and Latinos by the LAPD, such as 14-year-old Jesse Romero, stood against US wars, protested in defense of others targeted by political repression, and has been a longtime member of the activist group, Centro CSO, based out of East LA. His life is full of examples of courage, integrity, and a dedication to justice.

In contrast, the US Attorney who charged him, Bilal Essayli, believes in Trump's racist MAGA vision and does a lot to carry it out. He defended Trump's decision to defy the state of California and deploy the California National Guard to put down anti-ICE protests. Essayli has charged other protesters, including David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, who was held on a $50,000 bond.

Another Centro CSO immigrant rights activist, Verita Topete, was ambushed by the FBI on June 26. They served her a warrant and seized her phone. Orellana and his fellow organizers like Topete stand for the community that protested Trump last month. Essayli represents Trump’s attempts to crush that movement.

This case against Orellana is political repression, meant to stop the growth of the national immigrant rights movement. The basis for his arrest was the claim that he drove a truck carrying face shields for protesters, as police geared up to put down protests with rubber bullets. People of conscience are standing with Orellana. because nothing he did or is accused of doing is wrong. There is no crime in protesting Trump, deportations, and ICE. To protest is his – and our – First Amendment right. It’s up to us to make sure that Essayli and Trump fail to repress this movement and silence Orellana's supporters.

Just as he stood up for immigrants last month, we call on everyone to stand up for Orellana on August 26 and demand the charges be dropped. On the June 27 National Day of Action for Alejandro Orellana, at least 16 cities held protests or press conferences in front of their federal courthouses. We’ll make sure there are even more on August 26. In addition to planning local protests, we ask that organizations submit statements of support and to join in the call to drop the charges.

You can find protest organizing materials on our website, stopfbi.org. Please send information about your local protests and any statements of support to stopfbi@gmail.com. We will see you in the streets!

On August 26, Protest at Your Federal Courthouse for Alejandro Orellana!

Drop the Charges Now!

Protesting ICE Is Not a Crime!

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #CSFR #StopFBI #ImmigrantRights #ICE #CentroCSO #L4A #Feature

Los Angeles, CA – On July 3, the courtroom in the Edward Roybal Federal Courthouse was completely packed in support of Alejandro Orellana.

Orellana was raided by the National Guard, East LA sheriffs and the FBI on June 12 and is facing up to five years in prison if found guilty. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli charged Orellana with conspiracy to commit civil unrest and aiding and abetting civil unrest.

“Thank you to all for your support today,” said Alejandro Orellana, addressing his supporters. Present were his immediate family, Centro CSO members and other supporters. Also present was CSO member and immigration leader Verita Topete. On June 26, Topete was followed in a park and violently served a search warrant for her phone, while she walked her dog alone.

During the July 3 court hearing, Judge Karen Stevenson announced that Orellana’s jury trial would start on August 26 and would take place at the First Street U.S. Courthouse. A jury will be selected for his trial.

“I’m not surprised that the Trump administration is trying to criminalize us,” says Verita Topete, “when all we are doing is advocating for our undocumented community. As another CSO member recently said, ‘It’s about power.’ Our movement will continue even if they obtain warrants to confiscate our electronic devices. Our movement will continue even if they bring back the National Guard to keep raiding more of our members! Our movement for justice will not die.”

“Today with a packed courtroom full of family and supporters,” said longtime Centro CSO member and Chicano revolutionary Carlos Montes. “I heard Alejandro loud and clear declare himself not guilty!”

Centro CSO called the press conference and rally in support of Alejandro Orellana and to demand the charges against him be dropped. Both took place outside of the federal courthouse. CSO member Avery Raimondo led the rally and spoke about how he arrived at the site of the June 12 raid shortly after Orellana was detained and taken into federal custody.

Also speaking at the press conference were Carlos Montes, Teamster member Reuben Navarrete, Teamster member Jenny Bekenstein, CSO Immigration Committee leader Jordan Peña, along with CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) member Gabriel Quiroz Jr.

Navarrete, a Teamster rank and filer like Orellana, spoke during the rally, stating, “What Alejandro is being charged with – this is not a crime! People are getting shot in the face with tear gas and rubber bullets. We shouldn’t be targeted for this; drop the charges now!”

Navarrete added, “We are honored to be part of Centro CSO and showing our support for Alejandro! He is a good person and did nothing wrong. Protesting is not a crime!”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #ICE #CSFR #L4A #CentroCSO #ImmigrantRights #StopFBI #Feature

Chicago, IL – On Friday, June 27, allies of the Los Angeles group Centro CSO gathered at noon in downtown Chicago for a press conference and rally in support of CSO immigrant rights activists Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete. Orellana and Topete have been targeted by the FBI in the weeks since the Los Angeles protests against ICE raids.

“We’re here to demand that the federal charges against Alejandro Orellana be dropped,” Joe Iosbaker of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, said. “Raids and federal grand juries are attacks on progressive movements, on our freedom to speak, to assemble, and to tell the government that their actions and their policies are wrong.”

On June 12, the FBI broke into Orellana’s house, and he was arrested. He is now charged with “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” and “aiding and abetting civil disorder.” These are federal offenses usually reserved for firearms infractions and carry a maximum sentence of five years. Orellana has been accused of helping to distribute face shields to fellow protesters during the LA rallies.

On June 26, the FBI ambushed Topete in a public park while she was walking her dog, executing a search warrant and seizing her phone. The reasons for taking Topete’s phone have yet to be made public.

“We’re demanding an end to the attacks on protesters,” said Iosbaker. “Protesting ICE raids and deportations is not a crime.”

Joining the Committee to Stop FBI Repression at the press conference was the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression’s Immigrant Rights Working Committee, Casa DuPage Worker’s Center, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and the United States Palestinian Community Network.

The press conference was planned in support of the National Day of Action called for by the Legalization for All network. Included in the press conference was an ask for call-ins to federal prosecutor Bill Essayli’s office to demand the charges be dropped.

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #L4A #CSFR #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellana #VeritaTopete #FBI #ICE #CentroCSO #Feature

Tampa, FL – On a loud and busy intersection in front of Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse on Friday morning, June 27, members of three groups – Tampa Immigrants Rights Committee, Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society – gathered to rally in solidarity with two Los Angeles activists targeted by the FBI for their political beliefs and for standing with their communities. They read statements in in solidarity with Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete.

The rally was held in conjunction with rallies across the country demanding the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli drop the charges against Orellana.

As the speakers explained, Orellana was arrested by the FBI on June 12, during the height of the uprising in LA, on the bogus and absurd charges of “conspiracy to commit civil disturbance” and “aiding and abetting a civil disorder.” Vertia Topete was ambushed and roughed up by FBI agents who took her phone to further harass immigrant rights activists.

Both Orellana and Topete are longtime members of Centro CSO. The federal government uses conspiracy charges, as they did with a case of political repression local to the Tampa area, the Uhuru 3, when they cannot prove an actual crime has occurred and want to punish someone for their political beliefs.

Joe Nohava with Tampa Immigrants’ Rights Committee declared, “We believe Alejando has done nothing wrong. He is targeted for protesting ICE raids and deportations. We believe that protesting ICE is not a crime!”

Laura Rodriguez, with TAARPR, said of this repression, “These charges were brought by the FBI who has the sole intent of destroying community organizing, of destroying people power, of destroying our rights and civil liberties.”

The rally concluded with a call to continue to protest and stand with Orellana throughout his court process and trial and demand the charges be dropped.

#TampaFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ImmigrantRights #FBI #ICE #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellana #VertiaTopete

Jacksonville, FL – Chants of “Drop the charges!” echoed outside the federal courthouse Thursday, June 27, as dozens of protesters stood in solidarity with Alejandro Orellana, a Los Angeles immigrant rights organizer facing politically-motivated federal charges. The powerful demonstration coincided with Orellana's first scheduled court hearing since his June 12 arrest by FBI agents targeting his activism against ICE raids.

“Drop the charges on Alejandro. Stop the FBI witch hunt,” declared one speaker at the rally. “We just wanna be out here fighting for the same things that other people are fighting for.”

The Jacksonville action joined nationwide protests supporting Orellana, a leader with the Chicano community organization Centro CSO who faces up to five years in prison on dubious “conspiracy” charges. His arrest came amid a sweeping FBI crackdown on immigrant rights activists, including last week's aggressive execution of a search warrant on fellow Centro CSO organizer Verita Topete in Los Angeles.

Protesters drew direct connections to Florida's own anti-immigrant climate, where state and local officials have embraced harsh deportation policies. Signs reading “Protesting is not a crime” and “Stop the deportations” filled the courthouse plaza as speakers highlighted how Orellana's case represents a dangerous escalation in criminalizing dissent.

The crowd included a coalition of activist groups, labor organizers, and students who see Orellana's prosecution as a warning shot against all resistance to deportation forces. Many drew parallels to Jacksonville's own struggles against ICE's 287(g) program and recent anti-immigrant ordinances proposed by city council.

“When armed forces come into our restaurants, our court hearings, our streets, our homes, resistance is the only sane response!” said Gonzalo Kleinick, an organizer with the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance.

As Orellana's legal battle continues, Jacksonville's protest served notice that attacks on immigrant defenders will be met with growing resistance. Organizers urged continued pressure on U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli to drop all charges against Orellana and to stop FBI repression of organizers.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ImmigrantRights #JIRA #CentroCSO #AlejandroOrellana

Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, June 27, community members gathered at Salazar Park at 4 p.m. for a press conference and rally demanding the charges be dropped against Alejandro Orellana and calling for justice for Verita Topete. Both are immigrant rights activists who were raided by the FBI within the last two weeks.

The press conference was the first time Orellana has spoken out since his arrest. He thanked people for supporting him and helping him fight his charges.

Longtime Chicano activist Carlos Montes stated, “Trump has made it part of his agenda to go after immigrants, specifically Mexican and Central American immigrants. We have a long history of resistance against racism here in East LA and Boyle Heights. We call it the Chicano movement.”

On June 12, the FBI broke into Orellana’s home. He was arrested and now faces federal charges for “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” and “aiding and abetting civil disorder.”

On June 26, Topete was aggressively ambushed by the FBI in a park where they issued her a search warrant and seized her phone.

Both activists are being targeted for protesting the violent ICE raids throughout Los Angeles.

Centro CSO led the event alongside allied organizations Union del Barrio, Black Lives Matter-LA, Proyecto Pastoral, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Boyle Heights Catholic Worker. Community activists, union members and media gathered to rally and support the demands.

Sammy Carrera, a sanitation worker and Teamster, drew the comparison to other historic activists who have been targeted by the FBI. Carrera told the crowd, “Sixty years ago COINTELPRO sent MLK a letter telling him to unalive himself. Fast forward 60 years later in 2024, they put out a tweet to commemorate the legacy of MLK. In 60 years will they tweet about Alejandro Orellana, or will they tweet about Verita Topete? Will they tweet about the organized resistance and rebellions that we saw in southeast LA, Paramount and other parts of the city? As an organized community we will continue to make history on our own terms. We will continue to defend ourselves from ICE terrorism by any means necessary.”

Amanda Díaz, a leader of Centro CSO, reminded the crowd of what the protests are really about. First describing the brutal conditions people face in detention centers, she went on to explain, “Immigration detention in this country is a multi-billion dollar business, with private prisons companies and billionaires making billions of dollars off of the pain and suffering of our community members and loved ones. Almost 90% of people in ICE custody are held in facilities run by for-profit, private companies.”

The event coincided with a National Day of Action called for by the Legalization For All (L4A) network, which mobilized protests for Alejandro Orellana in dozens of cities across the country. The L4A network also organized a call-in action to federal prosecutor Bill Essayli to demand the charges be dropped.

You can follow Orellana's case on www.stopfbi.org.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellano #CSFR #Feature