Anaheim, CA – Rosie Camacho se acercó al podio del Ayuntamiento de Anaheim el 21 de abril, apretando contra su pecho una muñeca tejida. Camacho era la madre de Albert Arzola, y la muñeca simbolizaba el espíritu de su hijo.

Camacho dijo, “El 6 de diciembre nunca volverá a ser lo mismo. ¡Las personas que se suponía que debían cuidar de él lo asesinaron! ¡Asesinaron a mi hijo, justo delante de mis ojos! ¿Y quieres que confíe en ellos?”

Camacho continuó, “¡Necesito saber quién disparó a mi hijo! Apuesto a que sigue en el departamento de policía haciendo su trabajo, intentando matar a la siguiente persona.”

Doce miembros de la familia de Albert, junto con miembros de la Organización de Servicio Comunitarios del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), exigieron justicia ante el Concejo Municipal de Anaheim. En una victoria para la familia, y tras meses de presión pública, al final de la sesión del consejo, la alcaldesa Ashleigh Aitken anunció que se había revelado el nombre del policía asesino a los abogados de la familia Arzola. Aitken también pidió al abogado municipal Robert Fabela que informara sobre los avances en la publicación del informe de la autopsia. La lucha por otras demandas continúa, incluyendo la divulgación pública del nombre del policía asesino, su despido del Departamento y más.

Grace Arzola, tía de Albert Arzola, dijo, “Albert fue asesinado a las 9:32 PM. Como residente de toda la vida de Anaheim, el domingo estaba aquí y se estaban disparando los fuegos artificiales de Disney. Me di cuenta de que mi sobrino estaba sentado en el suelo, perdiendo la vida, y a menos de una milla de distancia, ustedes tenían fuegos artificiales. La diferencia que supone menos de una milla en la forma en que nos tratan.”

Adlai Carrillo dijo que la noche en que Albert fue asesinado por la policía de Anaheim, nadie llamó a la policía. Los agentes que mataron a Albert se encontraban en una de las llamadas “patrullas de represión de pandillas”. Carrillo dijo, “Todos sabemos en qué se han convertido estas patrullas: una herramienta utilizada para perseguir, discriminar y acosar a personas de comunidades desfavorecidas bajo la etiqueta de ‘vigilancia proactiva’. Y por eso, los oficiales ‘entraron en contacto’ con Albert sin ninguna razón legítima”. Carrillo dijo, “¿Por qué su oficial saltó de su auto con el arma ya desenfundada? ¿Con el dedo ya en el disparador, listo para disparar antes de evaluar cualquier cosa?”

Grace Arzola explicó cómo el segundo oficial que emboscó a Albert esa noche nunca activó su cámara corporal. Ella dijo, “Si todavía está en el departamento y trabajando, ¿por qué no lo han despedido? Eso es algo crucial. Por eso les dieron esas cámaras: para mostrar la transparencia de todo el incidente. Pero en el momento más importante, cuando le quitas la vida a alguien, ¿su cámara estaba apagada? ¿Y ahora quieren ponernos bajo vigilancia? ¡Esto es una broma!”

Arzola se refería a la decisión del Concejo Municipal de aprobar la instalación de equipos de lectura automática de placas. Esta tecnología se promociona como una forma de reducir la delincuencia, pero en realidad se utiliza para vigilar a la población y, en ciudades de todo el país, los datos se han compartido con agencias federales como ICE. Más tarde esa misma noche, el Concejo Municipal de Anaheim votó por unanimidad a favor de aprobar la instalación de los equipos, con un costo de $736,344 dólares, a pesar de las protestas del público.

Marie Flores Cofinco conectó el pasado con el presente cuando habló sobre el asesinato de Fermín Vincent Valenzuela a manos de la policía de Anaheim en 2016. “Estoy aquí para recordar a la ciudad de Anaheim, para recordar a los concejales y a la alcaldesa el asesinato de mi sobrino: Fermín Vincent Valenzuela. El 2 de julio de 2016, el agente Daniel Wolfe estranguló a mi sobrino hasta matarlo con la ayuda del agente Woojin Jun, bajo la supervisión del sargento Daniel González.” Cofinco dijo, “El sargento González supervisó y dio instrucciones a Daniel Wolfe diciéndole ‘Mantén ese estrangulamiento. Mantén ese estrangulamiento. Mantén ese estrangulamiento.’”

Según Cofinco, durante el juicio, entre 40 y 50 agentes de policía de Anaheim uniformados entraron en la sala del tribunal con la intención de intimidar a la familia de Valenzuela. Pero al final, la ciudad se vio obligada a pagar $13.2 millones de dólares a los hijos de Valenzuela.

David Pulido, miembro de CSO, dijo, “Están ocultando la identidad del asesino de Albert. Están ocultando el hecho de que la policía de Anaheim está llena de asesinos. El oficial que mató a Marcel Ceja en 2011 sigue en el departamento. Se llama David García. Los oficiales que mataron a Fermín Vincent Valenzuela siguen en el departamento. Se llaman Woojin Jun y Daniel Wolfe. El oficial que mató a Joel Acevedo en 2012 y a César Cruz en 2009 sigue en el departamento. Se llama Kelly Phillips. Lo sé porque CSO consiguió recientemente las listas actualizadas de la policía de Anaheim”.

Pearl Arzola, hermana de Albert, señaló que la ciudad intentó ocultar el nombre del agente alegando amenazas sin fundamento contra la vida del policía asesino. Ella dijo, “¿Cómo es que los estamos amenazando? Lo único que exigimos es justicia. ¡La justicia para mi hermano no es una amenaza! Ustedes tienen armas. ¡Nosotros no tenemos armas!”

Pulido concluyó su comentario diciendo, “Durante décadas, Anaheim y su policía se han interpuesto en el camino de la justicia para las familias. Por eso CSO lucha por el control comunitario de la policía. Tenemos que construir nuestro propio poder para hacer que la policía rinda cuentas. Su Junta de Revisión Policial fue un comienzo, pero no fue lo suficientemente lejos. Necesitamos una comisión elegida democráticamente con el poder de disciplinar y despedir a los policías asesinos. ¡Justicia para Albert Arzola! ¡Justicia para Fermín Vincent Valenzuela! ¡Justicia para Joey Acevedo!”

#AnaheimCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities

Anaheim, CA – On May 5, Community Service Organization (CSO OC) along with the family of Albert Arzola mobilized to Anaheim City Council to demand that killer cop Nathan Garcia be fired from Anaheim Police Department. When the family and CSO OC arrived, they came with signs that read “Fire killer cop Nathan Garcia.” The city council was visibly shaken and rattled by the signs.

Pearl Arzola opened her comment with, “It has been five months, and you have not given us anything but a name, but that name is still patrolling our neighborhood. Officer Garcia is not a part of a gang unit, so why is he allowed to patrol in an unmarked car terrorizing the whole community?” Arzola followed with “I get really bad anxiety attacks and so does my sister in-law, and you guys just continue to not care. You guys continue to pay this person. You need to fire him immediately.”

Arzola, who works in healthcare talked about the night of Albert’s murder, “If I would’ve done any necessary measures I could’ve saved my brother’s life, but I couldn’t because your officer was pointing a gun at me saying get the fuck inside.”

Pearl’s comment set the tone. The Arzola family, CSO OC members, and other city council attendees chanted “Fire him! Fire him!” and “Fire Nathan Garcia!”. The crowd was very emotional and angry all night.

Leslie Lopez, a cousin of Albert Arzola, called out a city council member by saying, “Norma [Campos Kurtz] isn’t here, but I wanted to congratulate her because she still has a killer cop working within her district. We know this because we saw him. About a month ago he was at a raid within the same neighborhood where the officers were high-fiving him like it was a celebration that he was back. There is nothing to celebrate.”

Lopez continued, speaking about the night of Albert’s murder. “Matt Sutter, the public information officer stated there were 12 people detained. I want to show you the 12 people detained.” Lopez then proceeded to show images on her iPad, many of whom were children. On the live video, the city officials turned the camera away from Leslie in an attempt to hide information. Leslie then followed with “Statements were made that night. When the officers needed to move Albert they said, ‘let's drag his ass.’”

Throughout the whole night, the Arzola family yelled “Shame!” and rang bells to create noise and disruption. The noise fell on heartless ears, as did the very emotionally heavy comments of the family.

Grace Arzola stated “It’s Cinco De Mayo and I want to share a song that reminds me of my nephew. I actually listen to this song every day on my way to work. It says that when two souls truly love each other, no matter how far apart they are they will never stop loving one another. That's why, beautiful sky when I die, don’t stop loving me.” Grace continued “I will never stop loving my nephew. Until the minute I stop taking my last breath I will miss him dearly.” Grace's comment moved everyone in that room. She said it with tears in her eyes and every person felt it.

She followed her comment with “I’m not sure if you guys read the LA Times report, but Nathan Garcia had a previous incident of excessive force with a 14-year-old. If the kid’s parents had done what Nathan Garcia did, the kid would be in foster care. He profiles young Chicano males. If officer Garcia had been held accountable for that incident then my nephew would still be alive.”

David Pulido, a CSO OC member, went into further detail. “On June 27, 2024 Nathan Garcia and his partner brutally arrested an unarmed 14-year-old Chicano. They drove their knees into his back, fractured a rib, and kicked him in the genitals.” Pulido continued with “This is why we fight for community control of the police. We should have direct authority over the police and who is hired, fired and how they are disciplined.” Pulido brought a lot of anger and frustration with his comment, he continued by saying “We demand the public release of all body cam footage; we demand the release of the autopsy report, we demand that killer cop Nathan Garcia be fired!”

Donna Nelson, who’s 21-year-old son was murdered by Anaheim Police on July 22, 2012, stated, “12 months prior to the killing of my son, the Anaheim Police Department also killed David Raya, Marcel Ceja, Bernie Villegas, Rosco Cambridge, Martin Hernandez, Manuel Diaz. All within one year. In 2014 it started up again. I picture the bodies piled up here, and they kept piling, and more and more families kept coming here asking for change. We have all these layers of oversight that doesn’t do anything.” She continued, “In 2016 Gustavo Nejera was killed by officer German Alveraz who’s standing right by the door.”

After the comments ended, CSO OC members and friends and family of Albert Arzola confronted Alveraz who was standing outside the council chambers. David Pulido said this to him: “You killed a 22-year-old for what? For throwing sand?” A coworker of Albert said, “You're the only gang here, and can kill people and get away with it.” Alveraz didn’t have much to say, but he was visibly shaken. He showed no remorse for his killing of Gustavo.

Throughout the whole night, residents of Anaheim, and other impacted families alike spoke in support of the Arzola family's demand to fire Nathan Garcia from the force. The entire chamber erupted in chants, yelling at the council and Anaheim Police Chief Manny Cid to fire killer cop Nathan Garcia. Many attendees who were there for other reasons rallied behind the demands. The community’s anger and distrust and ion with Anaheim PD grows stronger by the day.

#AnaheimCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #KillerCop #NathanGarcia

Anaheim, CA – Rosie Camacho approached the Anaheim City Council podium, April 21, clutching a woven doll to her chest. Camacho was Albert Arzola’s mother, and the doll symbolized the spirit of her son.

Camacho said, “December 6 will never be the same. The people that were supposed to take care of him murdered him! They murdered my son, right in front of my eyes! And you want me to trust them?”

Camacho continued, “I need to know who shot my son! I bet you he’s still on the police force doing his job, trying to kill the next person.”

Twelve members of Albert’s family, along with members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC), demanded justice at Anaheim City Council. In a victory for the family, and after months of public pressure, by the end of the council meeting Mayor Ashleigh Aitken announced that the killer cop’s name was released to the Arzola family’s attorneys. Aitken also asked City Attorney Robert Fabela for progress on the release of the autopsy report. The struggle for other demands continues, including the public release of the killer cop’s name, his firing from the Department, and more.

Grace Arzola, aunt of Albert Arzola, said, “Albert was killed at 9:32 p.m. As a lifetime resident of Anaheim, on Sunday, I was here and the Disney fireworks were going off. It dawned on me that my nephew sat on the ground, losing his life, and less than a mile away, you guys had fireworks. The comparison that less than a mile makes in the way we get treated.”

Adlai Carrillo said that the night Albert was killed by Anaheim PD, no one called for police. The officers who killed Albert were on a so-called “gang suppression patrol.” Carrillo said, “We all know what these patrols have become: a tool used to target, discriminate against, and harass people in underserved communities under the label of ‘proactive policing’. And because of that, officers ‘made contact’ with Albert without any legitimate reason.” Carrillo said, “Why did your officer jump out of his car with his gun already drawn? Finger already on the trigger, ready to fire before assessing anything?”

Grace Arzola explained how the second officer who ambushed Albert that night never activated his body camera. She said, “If he’s still on the force and working, why hasn’t he been fired? That is something so crucial. That’s why you guys gave them those cameras: to show the transparency of the whole incident. But in the most important moment, when you take someone’s life away, his camera was off? And now you guys wanna put us under surveillance? This is a joke!”

Arzola was referring to a city council decision to approve automatic license plate reader equipment. This technology is marketed as a way to reduce crime, but in reality it is used to surveil the public and in cities across the country, data has been shared with federal agencies like ICE. Later that night, Anaheim City Council unanimously voted to approve the equipment at the cost of $736,344, despite public outcry.

Marie Flores Cofinco connected past to present when she spoke on the 2016 Anaheim PD killing of Fermin Vincent Valenzuela. “I am here to remind the city of Anaheim, to remind the councilmembers and the mayor of the murder of my nephew: Fermin Vincent Valenzuela. On July 2, 2016, officer Daniel Wolfe strangled my nephew to death with the help of officer Woojin Jun, under the supervision of Sergeant Daniel Gonzalez.” Cofinco said, “Sergeant Gonzalez supervised and gave instructions to Daniel Wolfe telling him to ‘Hold that choke. Hold that choke. Hold that choke.’”

According to Cofinco, during the trial, about 40 to 50 uniformed Anaheim police officers entered the courtroom in an attempt to intimidate Valenzuela’s family. But in the end the city was forced to pay $13.2 million to Valenzuela’s children.

CSO member David Pulido said, “You are hiding the identity of Albert’s killer. You are hiding the fact that Anaheim PD is filled with killers. The officer who killed Marcel Ceja in 2011 is still on the force. His name is David Garcia. The officers who killed Fermin Vincent Valenzuela are still on the force. Their names are Woojin Jun and Daniel Wolfe. The officer who killed Joel Acevedo in 2012 and Caesar Cruz in 2009 is still on the force. His name is Kelly Phillips. I know this because CSO recently secured the updated rosters for Anaheim PD.”

Pearl Arzola, Albert’s sister, brought up the fact that the city tried to hide the officer’s name by claiming unproven threats to the killer cop’s life. She said, “How are we threatening you guys? All we are demanding is justice. Justice for my brother is not a threat! You guys have guns. We don’t have guns!”

Pulido concluded his comment saying, “For decades Anaheim and its police have stood in the way of justice for families. That is why CSO fights for community control of the police. We have to build our own power to hold police accountable. Your Police Review Board was a start but it didn’t go far enough. We need a democratically elected commission with the power to discipline and fire killer cops. Justice for Albert Arzola! Justice for Fermin Vincent Valenzuela! Justice for Joey Acevedo!”

#AnaheimCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #KillerCop

Anaheim, CA – On March 24, the family of Albert Arzola along with Community Service Organization (CSO OC) confronted the Anaheim City Council to show their anger with Anaheim Police Department.

Albert Arzola was murdered by the Anaheim Police Department on December 6, 2025. Since then, Anaheim PD has been harassing the Arzola family.

Pearl Arzola stated, “Since then we have been getting harassed daily by Anaheim PD. On February 24 during the city council, you guys lit up my house with headlights from police squad cars. On the 16th you guys lit up my cousin with a flashlight while he was taking out the trash. I want you guys to let us grieve in peace. Our neighbors can’t even throw a baptism without you guys harassing and keep flashing lights on them.”

Arzola’s anger and frustration grew as she said “It’s a fucking baptism, what are they gonna do? We're not out here having guns at baby showers. Anaheim police are fucking cowards. We can’t throw our own trash away?”

The anger that Arzola vocalized continued throughout the entire city council meeting. Christine Lopez had this to say, “After 21 emails to the mayor and no response. The family of Albert Arzola no longer wanted to meet with you. I validate the families frustration. Is the mayor really that busy? Perhaps you are, however the mayor works for us, the residents of Anaheim.”

Ariana Avalos continued, “My cousin was killed over graffiti he wasn’t even doing. You can see him standing on the other side of the street in the video. It’s nine dollars and 98 cents for graffiti removal at Lowe’s. My cousin’s life was not worth nine dollars and 98 cents. 25 dollars for a paint bucket at Home Depot. My cousin’s life was not worth 25 dollars.”

Most of the city council members were not even paying attention to the comments of the Arzola family. Despite this lack of attention, the residents of Anaheim showed immense support. Many of the Anaheim hills residents, who came on their own volition, called for “Justice for Albert” and raised the demands of the family including releasing the names of the officers who killed him.

Jocelyn Pacheco, a member of CSO OC’s police accountability committee told the council, “The gang unit officers said they were on suppression patrol, yet even they admit they don’t know why they tried to make contact with Albert and his friends. Nine days later the department said the reason for the encounter was still being determined. Three months later the names of the officers and body cam footage has still not been released despite the family and community members advocating for those details to be released.”

David Pulido, a member of CSO OC, pointed out the racist comments of Anaheim’s Police Chief Manuel Cid, stating, “He openly said African Americans commit more crimes than whites. The truth is that African Americans, Chicanos, indigenous peoples are over policed, and over sentenced. Killed more often than whites. The mayor said nothing to correct him that day; I remember. You just stood there.” Pulido’s comments were backed up with shouts of “shame!” from the crowd.

The council meeting ended with many questions left unanswered. The lies, lack of communication, and the family's demands remain. However, this hasn’t discouraged community members nor the family of Albert Arzola. They commented that they will keep coming back and keep fighting for justice, and will not be intimated by Anaheim PD.

#AnaheimCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSO #AlbertArzola #InjusticeSystem #KillerCop