Anaheim, CA – On Tuesday, October 13, the Community Service Organization, Orange County (CSO OC) alongside the family of Albert Arzola protested outside an Anaheim City Council meeting. Matthew Compton, a member of CSO OC’s Police Accountability Committee, told the crowd, “We stand here today to demand justice for Albert Arzola. It has been 10 months, and killer cop Nathan Garcia is still on the force!”

Anaheim Officer Nathan Garcia is the officer responsible for killing 19-year-old Albert Arzola outside his mother’s home.

Compton continued, “Officer Garcia still being on the force is why we fight for community control of the police. Community control will give us, the working-class residents of Anaheim, direct authority over how we are policed, decide punishments for cops who kill or violate policy.”

After Compton’s comment, chants were hurled at the council chambers while the council meeting was ongoing. “Fuck Anaheim PD!” and “Nathan Garcia! Lock him up!” being the loudest and angriest chants. During chanting, several attendees came outside and noted that the protest could be clearly heard from inside the chambers.

Sergio Pelayo, cousin of Albert Arzola, had this to say, “Albert’s life didn’t need to end so young. He was the sweetest, most caring and thoughtful man that you would ever know. Albert had a bully within the Anaheim Police Department. Officer Nathan Garcia would sit in his car and call out and harass Albert up until his death.”

Grace Arzola, Albert’s aunt, followed, “Today, inside the council chambers, the council is going to vote to increase Anaheim PD’s budget by $9 million. Ordinary people struggle to make ends meet, but Anaheim PD wants their raise for killing people.”

During the protest, Anaheim PD officers would peer out the windows looking uncomfortable, all while the angry voices of the family rang out “Justice for Albert Arzola!”

CSO OC along with the family of Albert Arzola and residents of Anaheim will keep protesting until Officer Nathan Garcia is fired and jailed.

#AnaheimCA #CA #OrangeCounty #InjusticeSystem #AlbertArzola #KillerCop #PoliceMurder #OppressedNationalities

Los Angeles, CA – On October 2 – 4, Over 100 progressives, activists and community members attended the Left Coast Forum at California State University, Los Angeles.

The Left Coast forum was a weekend of panels and workshops led by grassroot organizations, authors, and members of teacher unions. The Legalization 4 All Network (L4A) had a panel on the final day of the forum.

Members of Centro CSO (Los Angeles), CSO Orange County, and Aurora Unidos CSO spoke about their firsthand experiences with political repression, and the local campaigns they are currently working on as members of the Legalization for All Network.

Speakers included Verita Topete of Centro CSO, Yosselin Corrales of Aurora Unidos CSO, Diana Terreros of CSO Orange County, with moderation done by Marisol Marquez Co-Chair of L4A network

Diana Terreros, spoke on their campaign to organize tenants at Kingsley Mobile Home Park, many who are undocumented, stating, “The manager of the park, Olivia Garcia, has threatened to call ICE on some of the residents, so they use these tactics to silence the residents.”

Yoselin Corrales stated, “ICE is just one branch of a really broken system and so abolishing ICE isn't going to fix the problem because something else will just come in and replace it so we need to abolish the system that criminalizes immigrants.”

Corrales and others in Aurora Unidos CSO were recently successful in getting state charges dropped against them for protesting at Colorado's ICE Field Office.

Verita Topete spoke on their next steps to get ICE out of White Memorial Hospital, “We're going to be putting up tear-off flyers that have our phone number inside the hospital.” The hope is that this next step will allow Raza to find their loved ones.

To get into the fight for Legalization 4 All, follow Legalization 4 All on Instagram and join one of the monthly meetings.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #L4A #CentroCSO

San Jose, CA – The San Jose district of Freedom Road Socialist Organization has had an explosive first few days of the FRSO General Membership drive, which officially launched on October 15. By October 18, San Jose has already reached 28% of their district goal for the entire month-long drive.

FRSO San Jose began the first week of the drive with near-daily tabling sessions, sometimes tabling twice on the same day in different locations throughout the community. Their most successful tabling experience was at the No Kings protest in downtown San Jose on Saturday, October 17, where they received over a third of their total sign-ups so far.

As protest attendees walked past the table, FRSO members caught their attention by saying, “Hello! Are you interested in socialism?”

A majority of protesters responded favorably, and FRSO members continued the conversation by telling them about FRSO’s work and strategy, as well as asking them to sign up as General Members.

“We're Freedom Road Socialist Organization. We build the people's movements around immigrant rights, police crimes, labor unions, anti-war, students, women and more,” stated FRSO member Drusie Kazanova to a No Kings protester. “We're trying to build a serious revolutionary movement that can overthrow capitalism once and for all and create a government that works for the people instead of the billionaires.”

“We’re building a broad base of support from revolutionary-minded people,” continued Kazanova. “Would you like to join us by signing up as a General Member?”

FRSO members then helped people sign up on a laptop right there at the FRSO table. No Kings protesters could also purchase literature at the table, including FRSO pamphlets and programs, as well as a diverse array of over two dozen titles, from classics like Marx and Lenin to more recent publications from Carlos Martinez and Frank Chapman.

FRSO San Jose plans to carry this momentum forward into the rest of the drive, continuing their ambitious schedule of 30 tabling sessions in 30 days. They plan to particularly emphasize tabling at protests, as these tabling sessions have proven to be the most successful so far.

For week two of the drive, FRSO San Jose will be holding the following tabling sessions: Monday, October 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at San Jose State University; Monday, October 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. in front of Gilroy City Hall; Tuesday, October 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the intersection of Story & King in San Jose; Wednesday, October 21, from noon until 2 p.m. at San Jose State University; Thursday, October 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. near the intersection of Alum Rock and 33rd in San Jose; Friday, October 23, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with the South Bay Banner 4 Palestine group on a freeway overpass in the South Bay (direct message @southbaybanner4palestine on Instagram to receive the specific location); and Saturday, October 24, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the San Jose Tonatuih Brown Berets and Mujeres de Aztlan Collective Fundraiser at Backesto Park in San Jose.

#SanJoseCA #CA #FSRO #PeoplesStruggles

For workers, inflation was even higher, with prices for “Wage Earners and Clerical Workers” up 0.7% for the month, and 3.9% year over year. Either way, prices rose faster than wages, so that “real wages” which show the purchasing power of wages after inflation, fell 0.6% for the month. These numbers reflect the affordability crisis that more and more households are facing.

As seen every time one puts gasoline into their car, gasoline prices soared, rising 9.1% in one month alone. Gasoline prices across the country have gone up more than a third, or 34.2%, from a year ago. Households in the northeast that use fuel oil to heat their homes were hit even harder, with the prices of fuel oil up 15.3% in September, and a whopping 74.2% over a year ago.

Gasoline and other products made from oil have risen sharply even since the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran. Oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz has been choked off, and production and transport facilities damaged. The Saudi conflict with Yemen also escalated, threatening an alternative transport route to the strait. President Trump has threatened to escalate the war on Iran after the elections in November and is also thinking of joining the Saudi war on Yemen too.

These rising prices of petroleum products are spilling over into other goods and services. Airline ticket prices rose 1.2% in September and are 22.4% higher than a year ago. Postage for mail rose 0.5% in September and are 12.7% higher than a year ago.

“Information technology” goods, such as computers, software and smartphones, rose 0.9% in September, as the artificial intelligence build-out drives up prices for chips and other parts also used in consumer electronics. One example of this was new Apple iPhones. Apple typically rolls out new models in the fall and drops the prices on the older models. This year, the more expensive new models were accompanied by higher prices on the older model phones too.

Higher inflation also drives down bond prices, since bond interest payments are fixed in dollar amounts, so that higher prices reduce the purchasing power of interest payments. These lower prices on bonds cause their interest rates to rise. Other interest rates will also go up. The standard, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage interest rate (which is not in the CPI) has risen from just under 7% when Trump took office to over 7.4% today. This is increasing the cost of buying a house. Home insurance costs, also not in the CPI, went up 6% in 2025, much faster than the overall rate of inflation.

#SanJoseCA #CA #CapitalismAndEconomy #Inflation

San Jose, CA – The San Jose district of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization is launching their FRSO General Membership drive with an ambitious schedule of 30 tabling events in 30 days. Each week, members will set up FRSO tables throughout the community to educate people about FRSO and recruit them to General Membership. FRSO San Jose plans to table regularly in diverse locations including East Side San Jose, San Jose State University campus, the nearby city of Gilroy, and more.

Going into the first official day of the General Membership drive on October 15, FRSO San Jose has already held many lead-up tabling events to train and prepare. In the pre-drive lead-up period, San Jose has already surpassed 10% of its ambitious district goal for the entire month-long drive.

FRSO San Jose will be releasing weekly calendars on Instagram that detail the dates, times and locations for tabling events in the upcoming week. FRSO literature, including copies of the FRSO program, FRSO pamphlets and various other books, will be available for purchase at all tabling sessions.

The first week's schedule of tabling will include Monday, October 12, from noon to 2 p.m. at San Jose State University; Wednesday, October 14, from noon until 2 p.m. at San Jose State University; Wednesday, October 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Backesto Park in San Jose; Thursday, October 15, 5 to 7 p.m.at the intersection of Story & King in San Jose; Thursday, October 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. in front of San Jose City Hall; Saturday, October 17, from noon until 2 p.m. at the No Kings protest at Saint James Park in San Jose, and Sunday, October 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at El Roble Park in Gilroy.

Speaking about the importance and timeliness of the General Membership drive, FRSO San Jose member Drusie Kazanova stated, “More and more people are becoming disillusioned with monopoly capitalism and politics as usual with each passing day. Now is the time to win people over to socialism and build revolutionary organization. We have a world to win!”

To join FRSO, go to https://frso.org/join/

#SanJoseCA #CA #FRSO #PeoplesStruggles #Feature

Santa Ana, CA – All eyes are on Santa Ana and the police brutality against 28-year-old Chicano Florentino Lopez, which was captured on video by his family.

On October 1, police pinned Florentino’s hands behind his back and pressed him against their vehicle. Without warning, one officer violently wrestled him to the ground, punching and kneeing him in the face while the other officer also struck and pinned him to the ground. The first officer turned out to be killer cop Luis Casillas. In December 2024, Casillas killed two Chicanos in one month's time: Noe Rodriguez and Henry Gonzalez Junior, and he allegedly beat 15-year-old Mario Diaz last June.

The video went viral, so Santa Ana residents and multiple news stations packed the city council chamber. The council delayed public comment for two hours, forcing many working-class residents to leave without speaking, but some refused to be turned away.

Mayor Valerie Amezcua, who receives huge campaign contributions from the Police Officers Association and is facing re-election, made a big show about the council deciding to have an independent investigation into the beating, but she was interrupted by audience boos. They saw the police brutality for what it was, and wanted the officers to be held accountable immediately.

Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) member David Pulido said, “We are here to demand justice for Florentino Lopez. We demand that Police Chief Robert Rodriguez and City Manager Alvaro Nunez immediately fire the officers responsible.”

Pulido continued, “We warned you that if these police harmed anyone again, the blood would be on your hands. The blood is on your hands! Your cowardice and corruption meant that someone was harmed again!”

Next to speak was Maribel, who said, “My son, Jayden, was murdered by two cops June 14 of this year. Today I’m here to please ask for your help to release all of the uncut body camera video. I am also requesting justice for my son. He was suffering from mental health for almost two years. I was trying to get him all the help I could. I had proof that it was not the first time that Santa Ana police had come to my home.”

Despite knowing Jaden Michaca’s history of mental illness and psychiatric interventions, SAPD sent officers Steven Gonzalez and Charles Ruelas to his home, and, within 30 seconds of breaking down his door, they shot him to death. At the hearing, Michaca wore a shirt with pictures of her son throughout his childhood. As she spoke and wept, many in the audience cried with her.

Michaca said, “I close my eyes and I see my son on the floor, and there’s nothing I could’ve done to save him. Even though I was screaming for help. In my mind, I never called 911 for them to come and kill my son.”

As the evening continued, CSO OC’s immigration committee member Rain Mendoza took the stand to talk about the harassment the residents of the Coach Royal Mobile Home Park are receiving from the multi-million Kingsley Corporation and its management team. Residents of Coach Royal mobile home park have endured years of abuse, threats and eviction by Kingsley and park managers.

Mendoza stated, “Some updates for you all on the illegal actions by Kingsley Corporation, forcing the working-class immigrant residents to tear down their fences, which is extremely costly and stress-inducing. They're at the beginning stages of resizing their property without resident consent, which is illegal under federal law. If these residents try to push back or do not comply, they are met with harsh retaliation, including the most egregious crime of them all, which is the eviction of immigrant families and then stealing their homes!”

Mendoza then singled out Mayor Valerie Amezcua, stating, “You have a whole trailer park full of immigrant families that are being exploited by an out-of-state multi-million dollar corporation! They're breaking state and federal laws, mayor? This city council can't do a thing? They're breaking California law, they're breaking HUD codes, and breaking federal law.”

Karla Alvarado, a former resident who knows firsthand about the oppression residents are facing and who had her home stolen, addressed the council, “Families are living in fear of losing everything they have. How many more families have to suffer before you guys actually do something? Make some calls. Do something. It's something that is happening to thousands of people.”

Angered by the delay of the city meeting, Alvarado continued, “I took four hours away from my children, and they're hungry. They're having headaches, and I'm here to make sure that you guys do something to represent the very people that you go and knock on doors to promise them that you're going to be changers in the state, in the assembly, everywhere that you guys want to go, you guys want votes. But when we ask you guys to meet with residents, you guys failed to even send an email back and sit down and act like you guys care for us. It's disgusting.”

Griselda Ruiz, a lifelong resident of Santa Ana and CSO OC member, talked about one of the many shocking management edicts, “One of these insidious demands is the removal of air conditioning from their homes. We've been experiencing an extreme heat wave over 100 degrees, and Coach Royal residents are receiving notices demanding they remove their air conditioning.”

“Kingsley Corporation and management are targeting and embedding fear in their residents. Most of these residents are immigrants who break their backs to feed their families. But the manager at the mobile home park uses their immigration status against them by threatening to call ICE on them if they complain, if they go to a lawyer, if they stand up and fight back. Shame. And shame on you for allowing this to continue,” Ruiz added.

CSO OC Immigration committee member Diana Tererros spoke on the connection between the abuse these residents have been experiencing and their immigration status, “Sometimes they ask the residents to sign papers that they can't understand because of a language barrier. They don’t provide translation or anything, and that's very exploitative towards the residents.”

Tererros went on to say, “When they attended a hearing with the city regarding the issues at the park, there was an immigration vehicle outside the building. These are all Immigration issues. They should not have to live with the fear of immigration enforcement for simply trying to improve the place where they live.”

Terreros continued, “We are helping the residents fight back despite their immigration status, and they're being very brave and speaking up against this corporation. We're helping them with getting petition signatures from other residents to stop these actions from management and Kingsley. We want to meet with the park manager, Olivia Garcia, to talk to her about the demands of the residents.”

Despite lengthy delays, Santa Ana residents stood united against police brutality and predatory landlords. With the upcoming elections forcing a choice, residents have made it clear that accountability is non-negotiable.

If you are interested in joining CSO OC in this campaign, you can contact them at orangecountycso@gmail.com or on Instagram at @CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PeoplesStruggles #Housing #CSOOC

San Jose, CA – On the evening of Wednesday, October 7, a Zionist drove his car onto the sidewalk and directly into a crowd of pro-Palestine protesters that included families with young children. San Jose police then allowed the assailant to drive away without citing or detaining him.

The pro-Palestine protest began with more than 60 people outside San Jose City Hall to mark the third year since Al-Aqsa Flood, Israel’s escalated genocide in retaliation and the third year of resistance in Palestine and worldwide.

As people gathered, there was already a group of counter-protesters flying Israeli and Iranian monarchy flags and holding racist and Islamophobic signs that included slogans such as, “Fuck Islam.” Pro-Palestine protesters met the counter-protesters with chants of “Free, free Palestine!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and repeated chants of “Shame!”

The rally then transitioned into a march to the notable San Pedro pedestrian street. The crowd chanted while many cars driving by honked in support. The march paused for a program of speakers at San Pedro Square.

Salem Ajluni of Human Agenda drew attention to the sustained upsurge of Palestine solidarity around the world, saying, “Gaza has gifted us with opportunities to expand and develop oppositional, political and cultural forces that will have large and lasting impacts and effects if we nurture and develop them to their full possibilities.”

Fadi Saba, a Palestinian educator and activist, encouraged the attendees to continue fighting and organizing for Palestine, stating, “It’s ‘Free Palestine’ until Palestine is free.”

Philip Nguyen, member of San Jose Against War (SJAW), highlighted the fight for Palestine in San Jose through SJAW’s divestment campaign, explaining, “We have a duty to apply mass pressure and get the council to do the right thing – to divest from genocide.”

Nguyen noted the divestment wins in Illinois, Minnesota and several Bay Area cities, saying, “The number of wins for divestment are growing, and we’re going to win in San Jose too!”

Dina Saba, president of Democrats for Palestinian Rights Bay Area, reminded the crowd that the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians has continued for decades, saying, “As a daughter of a Nakba survivor, we know that the Palestinian people have been terrorized, oppressed and dehumanized well before October 7, 2023.”

Panda Shim, member of Students for a Democratic Society at San Jose State University (SDS SJSU), brought attention to SDS’s campaign to kick war profiteers like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman off campus, saying, “On September 2, SDS successfully scared off Northrop Grumman from a job fair and it has not returned!”

Shim continued, “While thousands of people in Gaza are succumbing to malnutrition and Palestine is reduced to rubble, the war profiteers bathe in millions of dollars.”

Drusie Kazanova of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization reminded the crowd that resistance is justified under oppression, noting, “It is right to rebel, and the struggle continues now. There has been a global awakening where people from all walks of life look at the real face of the enemy and see it for what it is, and the ranks of the fighters joining the struggle against that enemy continue to grow.”

Kazanova continued, “Resistance to imperialism is a force that will never be snuffed out!”

When the crowd returned to the starting point at the corner of City Hall, the protesters drowned out the pro-Iranian monarchy, pro-Israel group with chants. During the end rally, a Zionist counter-protester suddenly drove his car over the curb and onto the sidewalk, attempting to run over the group of pro-Palestine protesters before being stopped by a member of San Jose Against War, Jack McCann.

Even as McCann stood directly in front of the car with his hands up, the driver continued to drive forward, making physical contact with McCann's body. Behind McCann, the crowd of pro-Palestine protesters included several families with young children.

The Zionist driver emerged from the vehicle wielding a metal rod or pipe. San Jose police, who had been present for the entire duration of the protest, allowed the driver to get back behind the wheel and drive away without citing or detaining him.

In a video statement released by San Jose Against War about the incident, McCann stated, “This was assault with a deadly weapon and could easily have turned into a mass murder. It is no surprise that this shameful, cowardly crime was committed by the same Zionists who showed up to celebrate three years of genocide and crimes against humanity.”

Referring to the police officers’ negligent handling of the incident, McCann continued, “Again, this comes as no surprise, as American cops regularly receive training from Israeli forces, and the City of San Jose has millions invested in genocide.”

San Jose Against War expressed plans to press charges against the driver and file a report with the City of San Jose's Independent Police Auditor about the incident.

#SanJoseCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SJAW

Los Angeles, CA – John Sermeno was once a gang member who would go on to become a revolutionary and Marxist-Leninist. He died on August 12, 2026. Born August 2, 1944, Sermeno was raised in Boyle Heights’ Ramona Gardens housing projects. In his youth he joined the Big Hazard gang.

I first met John in Boyle Heights during the rise of Chicano Power movement. I was in the Brown Berets, John was part of forming La Junta. La Junta united gang members to promote peace in the neighborhoods and social activism. He later was part of forming La Colectiva, a revolutionary group that began to study Mao Tse Tung and other Marxist readings. He was instrumental in recruiting gang members to the Chicano movement and to socialism.

John participated in various Chicano movement activities, but I remember him participating in the Chicano Moratorium of December 20, 1969 (the first), when we protested the Vietnam war and the higher casualty rates of Chicanos. He later joined the La Raza Unida Party Labor Committee and then the August Twenty-Nine Movement (ATM), where he began labor organizing.

Due to heavy repression, I left LA and went underground, losing contact with him. But when I was rearrested in May of 1977, John joined the committee that worked for my freedom. He was active in ATM-ML, an organization that I had also joined in El Paso, Texas during the big Farah pants strike. John attended my court hearings and was part of the campaign that won my case. I recall one little conversation we had at the International Institute at a fundraiser for my case on supporting the important role of women in the movement. He later joined the League of Revolutionary Struggle (LRS) and continued organizing as an M-L, until its dissolution.

We reconnected in later years in the fight to save Hazard Park, from a University of Southern California street encroachment, where he reminded me that this was his hood. He was also active in the Exide clean up from lead pollution. John gave a lifetime to the struggle for Chicano liberation and socialism.

I got the opportunity to call him before he passed, and he was glad that the nursing staff were in a union. Carmen Dillard, his partner, had a memorial for him in East LA on October 1, 2026, where several former ATM-ML and LRS members spoke. He was a revolutionary to the end and an M-L.

Long live the memory of John Sermeno!

#LosAngelesCA #CA #OppressedNationalities #Chicano #JohnSermeno #History #PeoplesStruggles #

Anaheim, CA – On September 29, the Arzola family, alongside Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) attended Anaheim City Council to demand justice for Albert Arzola. Albert was killed by Anaheim PD officer Nathan Garcia on December 6, 2025.

Garcia chased Albert Arzola down the street to his home where he shot him in the back of his head. Arzola had his hands raised and was surrendering to police. His family was present at the home and watched Arzola die. For months leading up to the killing of Arzola, Officer Nathan Garcia harassed Albert and his family.

After public comments were made, Rosie Camacho, the mother of Albert Arzola, stopped and yelled at Anaheim Police Chief Manuel Cid. Camacho said, “We want everything, we want all the cameras! That wasn’t the first time he went to my house! Wasn’t the first time he showed up and called my son by his name!”

Earlier in the meeting, Councilwoman Natalie Rubulcava had this to say, “I have to mention there was a loaded tech 9, a gun banned by name under California Law, which was at the scene that created a serious threat for the officers.” This statement has been used as a justification for the killing of Arzola, despite him being unarmed and giving himself up. This enraged the Arzola family, which led to justified angry comments being hurled at Rubulcava.

During the confrontation,family members continued to yell at the chief and city council. Screams of “Justice for Albert Arzola!” and “Shame!” rang through the council chambers. The meeting was brought to a halt, with the mayor trying desperately to calm things down. She even threatened to stop the meeting, saying, “I understand, thank you. I don’t want to have to recess the meeting.”

The chief had nothing to say. He simply stood off to the side, trying his best to seem unbothered by the confrontation. His silence spoke volumes. He couldn’t look in the family's direction as more and more officers came and stood by him. The family, along with CSO OC, will continue to confront the chief and demand that killer cop Nathan Garcia be fired.

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

San Jose, CA – At noon, October 7, two dozen students rallied at San Jose State University to commemorate three years since the escalation of Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people, and to honor Palestinian martyrs. The rally was led by the San Jose chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Other organizations in attendance included the Muslim Student Association, MEChA, Students for Quality Education, and Students for a Democratic Society.

The slogans attacked SJSU admin’s complicity with genocide, campus war profiteers like Lockheed Martin, Alphabet and others, and commemorated the sacrifices the resistance throughout the three years of the Zionist entity’s brutal onslaught against the Palestinian people. The action also called for attention to a recent important campaign victory for SJSU SJP, which managed to secure disclosure of university investments from the SJSU non-profit Tower Foundation.

SJP member Salam Ramahi said, “When I think about Palestine, I don't just think about a place on a map or something I see in the news. I think about my family. I think about the people who know my family and the generations of memories connected to that place. Our lives didn't begin on October 7. We had families, traditions, memories and communities long before them. And those things continue to exist despite everything that has happened.”

The march circled around campus, stopping near the fountain before progressing to its endpoint next to Clark Hall, where campus administrative offices were located.

Muslim Student Association member Moses Ali stated, “If we let our fear control us, the Palestinians may never be free. If we let our fear control us, we let the innocents continue to be oppressed. If we let our fear control us, we stand with the oppressors. To be silent in such a time is siding with the oppressor and giving them your seal of approval.”

Ali continued by calling out SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matison, stating, “And going to SJSU, we must not remain silent, because our university president is on the side of the oppressors. She not only traveled to Israel, but she befriended some IDF soldiers and thought it was cool enough to post. Shame!” An online post resurfaced of President Teniente-Matison praising IDF soldiers several years ago, which many students and organizations on campus have been publicizing.

Hady Barghouti, SJP member and journalism student, told the crowd, “We have seen [journalists] and public figures face consequences for speaking about Palestine. We have seen people lose opportunities and face backlash simply for expressing what they believe.” He also spoke on his personal connection to the displacement and violence Palestine has faced, sharing the story of his grandmother.

Barghouti stated, “It goes back generations. My grandmother was only 14 years old when she was forced from her own home in 1948 and fled to Syria. 14 years old. At 14, most of us are worried about school, friends, sport, or whatever we're doing that weekend. My grandmother was forced to leave her home and start over somewhere else. That history is part of my family. is part of who I am. And that's why, when people tell Palestinians to simply move on, I don't understand how we're supposed to do that.”

The march ended with SJP leadership speaking on their recent success in securing disclosure, while also affirming their commitment to continuing to pressure administration until divestment in apartheid Israel is fully achieved.

#SanJoseCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #StudentMovement #October7

Santa Ana, CA – El miércoles 23 de septiembre, se escuchaban consignas como “¡Kingsley, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” en la calle Sullivan.Rain Mendoza, de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), inició la manifestación declarando: “Estamos aquí hoy debido a los años de acoso a los que Kingsley Management Corporation ha sometido a los residentes de Coach Royal, en su mayoría inmigrantes de clase trabajadora”.

Unas 35 personas, entre ellas residentes del parque de casas móviles Coach Royal y miembros de la comunidad, se manifestaron frente al parque para exigir que se detenga el retiro de cercas, que se permita a los residentes conservar sus sistemas de aire acondicionado y que se mantengan las dimensiones originales de los lotes. Kingsley utiliza estas supuestas infracciones y cambios a las reglas para iniciar el proceso de robarles la vivienda a los residentes.

Teresa Osorio, residente del parque, habló sobre su experiencia reciente. “Olivia García [la administradora del parque] vino a mi casa a decirme que quitara mi cerca cuando apenas el año pasado ella misma me dijo que la reparara.”

Irene Rodríguez de Guzmán habló sobre sus interacciones con García: “Ella me está diciendo que quite mis cercas, lo cual contradice el hecho de que ella me dijo que las instalara porque tenía problemas con los vecinos. Ella me dijo dónde debía ponerla y vino a inspeccionarla después de que se instaló y dijo que se veía bien. Me sacrifiqué para pagar esa cerca, ¿cómo la voy a quitar?”

Karla Alvarado habló sobre las tácticas de intimidación y el despojo de viviendas por parte de Kingsley: “Yo fui una de las personas que ayudó a muchos de los residentes a obtener sus títulos de propiedad, y después de eso sufrimos represalias por parte de Kingsley Corporation.”

Alvarado añadió, “Me ofrecieron quedarme como inquilina siempre y cuando renunciara a mis derechos y no volviera a ayudar a nadie de la comunidad. Obviamente rechacé eso y terminé siendo expulsada de mi casa. Mi casa fue retirada de aquí y vendida ilegalmente en una subasta privada, violando todas las leyes, ya que nunca me informaron que la subasta iba a tomar lugar.”

Gabriela Mendoza tuvo una experiencia similar. “Mi abogada confirmó que mi casa fue vendida. Le dije que yo hasta ahora no he recibido ni un dólar. Y no se me hace justo que mi casa nueva que yo trabajé tantos años, ellos robaron mi propiedad. Esto es una injusticia.”

Al señalar más prácticas ilegales, Rain Mendoza añadió, “Kingsley está iniciando el proceso para modificar el tamaño de los terrenos asignados a todos los residentes. Si los residentes no cumplen, se enfrentan a graves consecuencias económicas. Obligar a estos residentes a realizar estos cambios e imponerles consecuencias es ilegal”.

Durante la manifestación, los residentes señalaron los carteles de “se vende” que rodeaban a los manifestantes, indicando que esas casas habían sido robadas de sus dueños. Los transeúntes se detenían al pasar para escuchar los testimonios de los residentes.

Los manifestantes coreaban, “¡No más acoso! ¡No más temor! ¡Los inmigrantes tenemos valor!”.

“Nos están obligando a quitar los aires acondicionados. Es una cosa horrible. Ustedes saben que recientemente estuvimos viviendo un calor insoportable. Si no hubiera sido por nuestro aire acondicionado hubiera habido tragedias aquí en Coach Royal.”, declaró Guadalupe Barragán, residente desde hace 38 años.

Teresa Carrera, otra exresidente, describió el impacto físico y psicológico de las acciones de Kingsley. “Realmente, todo lo que hemos pasado ha sido un abuso traumático. Hemos ido a psicólogos. Hemos tenido noches sin dormir. Me enfermé hasta el grado de que no comí por uno o dos meses. Solo tomaba agua y bajé casi como 25 libras. Tanto estrés, tanto insomnio, tanto pensar por qué esta gente es tan injusta.”

Los manifestantes coreaban, “¡Vivir con miedo no es normal! ¡Queremos justicia en Coach Royal!”

Luis Pedraza Morales Babylon, un exresidente a quien le robaron su casa habló en nombre de CSO OC. “La Organización de Servicio Comunitario respalda firmemente a los residentes de Coach Royal. La CSO está en primera línea de lucha, organizando protestas en la entrada del parque, llenando las salas de audiencias, exigiendo justicia ante los desalojos injustos y sacando a la luz las tácticas engañosas de la administración. Luchan para garantizar que las familias trabajadoras y los inmigrantes no sean expulsados mediante intimidación, barreras lingüísticas o desplazamientos forzosos.”

Si le interesa unirse a CSO OC en esta campaña, puede contactarlos a través del correo electrónico orangecountycso@gmail.com o en Instagram en @CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #PeoplesStruggles #Housing #TrailerPark #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – El 12 de septiembre, la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC) y miembros de la comunidad pusieron una mesa de información frente al conocido restaurante salvadoreño El Salvador Café para distribuir recursos e información cruciales en respuesta al más reciente ataque de Trump que amenaza con poner fin al Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para los inmigrantes salvadoreños.

Los miembros de CSO OC entregaron paquetes informativos primero a los trabajadores del restaurante salvadoreño y luego se dirigieron a los negocios vecinos de propietarios mexicanos y centroamericanos. Conversaron con trabajadores y miembros de la comunidad sobre el último ataque de Trump contra la comunidad inmigrante salvadoreña y sus políticas anteriores, como un paquete de gastos de $170 mil millones para la aplicación de leyes migratorias, la suspensión y revocación de visas para personas de 75 países, entre otras medidas.

CSO OC organizó este evento informativo como respuesta a la semana de acción de la red Legalización Para Todos (L4A) para detener la agenda de Trump, y en solidaridad con la marcha de la coalición Dallas Against Trump durante la Convención Republicana de Mitad de Mandato (RNC). El periodo del 9 al 13 de septiembre estuvo marcado por ataques como la fecha de vencimiento del TPS para salvadoreños el 9 de septiembre, la promesa de Trump de revocar 200,000 visas y la celebración de la RNC de mitad de mandato los días 9 y 10 de septiembre.

El día en que se suponía que vencería el TPS salvadoreño, ICE envió un anuncio declarando que una decisión sobre el estatus del TPS para los salvadoreños se tomará en el momento apropiado. Aunque técnicamente el TPS no expiró, esta situación deja en el limbo a los 170,000 salvadoreños beneficiarios de dicho programa.

CSO OC continuará realizando sus caminatas por los barrios, en los que distribuye información y recursos importantes sobre ICE y los ataques de Trump contra los inmigrantes.

Si te interesa participar en una acción o reunión de CSO OC, puedes contactarlos en orangecountycso@gmail.com o en Instagram en CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #ImmigrantRights #TPS #ElSalvador #CSOOC

Los Angeles, CA – On Sunday, September 20, a group of 30 rank-and-file members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) union met at Magic Johnson Park in South LA. The Teamsters work for Republic Services and met to discuss strike preparedness for their upcoming contract expiration.

On September 30, the union contracts of roughly 3000 Teamsters Local 396 sanitation employees across different companies and yards will expire. These Teamsters haul waste across a large geography of cities in LA County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Over the past year, the workers have participated in organizing boot camps to give people the training to organize and prepare to strike; shop floor Teamster Thursday union huddles to build unity at work; and Sunday morning meetings at the park to prepare for contract negotiations and the possibility of going on strike. At this last Sunday park meeting, the rank and file discussed the importance of remaining united and in solidarity.

Shop steward and negotiation committee member Marcus Ford stated, “I thought the meeting went well and I’m feeling good about where we at. The rank-and-file members are solid and are ready to keep pushing forward and fighting for change!”

Members were angered after finding out the company intentionally allowed two weeks to go by with no negotiation sessions scheduled. Instead, they chose the final few days before the old contract expires, with much of the new contract still not negotiated. Rank-and-file member Sammy Carrera said, “We understand very well that the company is hoping to use this as a tactic and strategy against us. They hope to pressure us into the first offer thrown at us, but they are very mistaken. The members are activated and ready to mobilize. If the company doesn’t pay up, the trash will pile up!”

In July 2025, over 400 Teamsters at Republic Services in Boston were on strike for 82 days. Trash piled up all around Boston for nearly three months until the company finally gave in to the workers’ demands, including a 46% pay increase over the five-year contract. There has been lots of talk about how the company, in the case of a strike, has already begun making preparations for bringing in the Blue Crew. The Blue Crew is a group of Republic Services’ professional scabs who are ready to fly around the country to act as strikebreakers. They are brought in from out of town or sometimes out of state.

The members have been very clear with the company regarding an expired contract; no contract extension will be given, and members will only continue to work beyond the contract expiration date if negotiations continue in good faith. As of now, it is not looking too promising.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #Teamsters #Labor #Teamsters396 #RepublicServices #Strike #Feature

Oakland, CA – On Tuesday, September 22, around 30 community members rallied in front of the attorney general’s offices to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Jalani Lovett, who died in LA Men’s Central Jail.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Lovett was arrested in 2019 and died in 2021, under highly suspicious circumstances, after being held in solitary confinement at the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail. He was under custody of the LA Sheriff’s Department, which has been linked to the deaths of many other inmates. Though his body showed signs of severe physical trauma, LASD labeled his death as a drug overdose, despite him having no access to drugs while in solitary confinement.

In the beginning of this month, the Department of Justice launched a probe into the jail to investigate its concerning conditions and inmate deaths. 29 have died in custody so far this year.

Terry Lovett, Jalani’s mother, has been fighting for a proper investigation into her son’s death for five years. She has repeatedly reached out to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, asking him to take action, since the LASD refuses to investigate itself.

“This is a fight that I’m not gonna ever stop, cuz I'm not gonna ever get Jalani back. Too many birthdays is gonna pass and he’s not gonna be sitting there. Too many Thanksgivings are gonna pass and he’s not gonna be coming in the door, going in my pots, ‘Mom what you cooking?’” stated Terry Lovett. Despite his campaign promises to step up investigation of in-custody deaths, Rob Bonta has refused to take any action on Jalani Lovett’s case.

Barbara Doss, mother of the late Dujuan Armstrong, also spoke at the rally, saying, “We went to Sacramento to get some things done, and he made all kinds of promises. I done rode up in this office several times, he done made offers, ‘He’s gonna do this, he’s gonna do that’ for the families.’ Rob Banta is a liar.”

Dujuan Armstrong was killed in custody at Santa Rita jail as officers attempted to restrain him during a mental health crisis, in what was supposed to be a weekend stay. Doss added that officials also tried to point the finger at drug use as a contributing factor to Armstrong’s death, saying, “They said he died from an overdose, apparently all our children are dying of overdoses.”

Romaine Charite with the Oakland Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the emcee of the rally, said, “The sheriffs harbor racist syndicates who perform initiation rituals of torture and murder of Black and Latino men and brand themselves with tattoos to identify themselves. When the FBI tried to investigate this in 2011, the sheriffs kidnapped the discovered informant for 18 days. These sheriff gangs must be destroyed and the jail closed through civilian power over the police, not county special interests.”

Terry Lovett is supported by a coalition of police-accountability organizations, families impacted by police violence, and concerned community members that support her, organizing to protest Rob Bonta’s lack of action. The rally was supported by Kathryn Wade, the mother of Malad Baldwin; Addie Kitchen, grandmother of Steven Taylor; Cat Brooks, the founder of the Anti-Police Terror Project, and Emily Turnbull, a retired ILWU Local 10 member.

#OaklandCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #Jail #OAARPR #NAARPR

Santa Ana, CA – On Wednesday, September 23, chants of “Kingsley escucha, estamos en la lucha!” could be heard on Sullivan Street.

Rain Mendoza with Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) kicked off a rally, stating, “We are here today because of the years of harassment the majority working-class immigrant residents of Coach Royal have been subjected to under Kingsley Management Corporation.”

35 people, including residents of Coach Royal Mobile Home Park and community members, rallied in front of the park to demand a stopping of all fence removals, allowing residents to keep their air conditioning, and maintaining all allotted property sizes. Kingsley uses these bogus violations and changes to the rules to begin the process of stealing homes from the residents.

Teresa Osorio, a resident of the park, spoke about her recent experience. “Olivia Garcia [park manager] came to my house to tell me to remove my fence when just a year before she herself told me to repair it.”

Irene Rodriguez de Guzman spoke about her interactions with Garcia, “She is telling me to remove my fences, which contradicts the fact that she told me to install them because I had issues with the neighbors. She told me where I should put it and came to inspect it after it was installed and she said it looked good. I sacrificed to pay for that fence, how am I going to remove it?”

Karla Alvarado spoke about Kingsley’s intimidation tactics and home theft, “I was one of the people that helped a lot of the residents obtain their titles and after that we were retaliated against by Kingsley Corporation.”

Alvarado added, “I was offered to stay as a tenant as long as I waive my rights and never helped anyone in the community. I obviously refused that, and I was eventually kicked out of my house. My house was taken out of here and sold illegally in a private auction, violating all the laws, because I was never informed of the auction taking place.”

Gabriela Mendoza had a similar experience. “My lawyer confirmed that my house was sold. I told her that to this day I haven't received a single dollar. And I don't think it's fair that my new house that I worked hard for years, they stole my property. This is an injustice.”

Pointing out more illegal practices, Rain Mendoza added, “Kingsley is starting the process of having all residents allotted property sizes changed. If residents don’t comply, they are hit with severe financial consequences. To force these residents to make these changes and enforce consequences is illegal.”

During the rally, residents pointed to for-sale signs surrounding the protesters and that those homes are ones that have been stolen. As people walked by the rally, they stopped to listen to the testimonies of the residents.

Protesters chanted, “No mas acoso! No mas temor! Los inmigrantes tenemos valor!” which translates to “No more harassment! No more fear! Immigrants have bravery!”

“They are forcing us to remove our air conditioners. This is a horrible thing. You know, recently we were living in an insufferable heat. If it hadn't been for our air conditioning, there would have been tragedies here at Coach Royal,” testified Guadalupe Barragan, a resident of 38 years.

Teresa Carrera, another former resident, described the physical and psychological impact of Kingsley’s actions. “In reality, everything we have been through has been a traumatic abuse. We've been to psychologists. We've had sleepless nights. I got sick to the point that I didn't eat for a month or two. I only drank water and I lost almost 25 pounds. So much stress, so much insomnia, so much thinking about why these people are so unjust.”

Protesters chanted, “Vivir con miedo no es normal! Queremos justicia en Coach Royal!” or, “Living in fear isn’t normal! We want justice at Coach Royal!”

Luis Pedraza Morales Babylon, a former resident whose home was stolen, spoke on behalf of CSO OC. “The Community Service Organization stands firmly with the residents of Coach Royal. CSO is on the front lines fighting back, organizing protests at the park entrance, packing hearing rooms, demanding justice for unjust evictions, and shining a harsh light on management's deceptive tactics. They are fighting to ensure that working-class families and immigrants aren't pushed out through intimidation, language barriers, or forced displacement.”

If you are interested in joining CSO OC in this campaign, you can contact them at orangecountycso@gmail.com or on Instagram at @CSO.OC.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #PeoplesStruggles #Housing #CoachRoyal #KingsleyCorporation #OppressedNationalities #CSOOC

San Francisco, CA – On 21 September, crowds descended upon the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco to condemn human rights violations by the Marcos regimes of both 1965 and today. Throughout the rally, the People’s Choir sang songs written during periods of US-led violence in the Philippines, including Tamisan sa Sining’s “Dakilang Pakikibaka” and José Alejandrino’s “Bayan Ko”.

Alex Marquez from the League of Filipino Students – SF State told the crowd, “54 years ago today, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared martial law and plunged the Philippines into 14 bloody years of state violence, until it was put into an end by the People Power Revolution in 1986, when the masses came together to exile this brutal dictator like a stallion kicks off a fly!” shouted Marquez.

Struck by fears of communist led insurgency, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. secretly wrote Martial Law into effect on September 21 before publicly confessing to the decree’s existence on September 23, sending orders to kill organizers and resistance fighters on a whim.

Rob Salazar from Malaya San Francisco spoke on the legacies of bureaucrat capitalism in the Philippines that were left by Marcos Sr., whose son governs the country today.

Salazar stated, “Government funding that should be used to create better city infrastructure is being used to create ghost flood control projects while students cannot return to school because of the flooding,” he said. “This represents the next generation of thievery that our people have to deal with, and we must not allow this to continue!”

Damian Clark from LFS Berkeley gave a reportback from an international trip to the Philippines led by the Defend Negros NorCal Coalition and ICHRP. “During our trip, we visited the US-led Pax Silica within the Clark Economic Zone, which is being built to meet the US’s needs in their war against the People’s Republic of China,” Clark said. “And despite increasing militarization and repression, it is being met by the People’s Resistance at every turn.”

Clark continued, “As Filipino students, we must refuse to let our skills be used for projects like Pax Silica, and confront the Philippine state to prevent it from selling out our people.”

Paulo Ramos from BAYAN NorCal closed the rally with a personal account of Martial Law from his family, “Growing up, my father would always tell me stories about martial law, and how he and his friends had to run home in fear of the military curfew and the bodies he saw floating in the canal. The brutality of martial law in 1972 is still the reality of today in Duterte’s War on Drugs and the Negros 19 killings by the 79th Infantry Battallion of the AFP.”

Ramos continued, “History has taught us that the darkest hour of the night comes just before the light comes steadily in,” he stated. “The revolutionary movement of patriotic and freedom-loving Filipinos has only grown since martial law. Let us learn the lessons of history and continue the legacy of our brave martyrs by fighting for national democracy and sovereignty in the Philippines.”

#SanFranciscoCA #CA #International #Philippines #BAYAN #Marcos

San Jose, CA – On the evening of Thursday, September 17, over 40 people gathered in the streets of downtown San Jose to demand an end to the war of aggression against Iran.

Chants like, “Money for jobs and education, not for war and occupation!” and “Trump wants war, Trump wants oil, hands of Iranian soil!” could be heard echoing through the streets of downtown and around city hall.

Emer Martin of Vigil for Gaza spoke to the crowd, “We support Iran, from the heart of the corporate tech military empire, because we know what it has in store for us too. They have shown us what they’ve done to Gaza they will do to anyone who gets in the way of a capitalist project.”

Martin went on to say, “All the workers of the world should get on board with Iran now and reject the years of propaganda!”

Panda Shim from Students for a Democratic Society at San Jose State University said, “We want an end to sending young Americans to die for absolutely nothing. And until the U.S. gets their hands off the Middle East, until there is justice, there shall be no peace in the streets!”

Akubundu Amazu of the All African People’s Revolutionary Party said, “Iran knows their friends and they know their enemy. This is why they stand with Palestine, Hezbollah and Yemen against the U.S. and Israel. We must all stand together on the right side of history because that is the only way we are going to win,” said Amazu.

Jack McCann, member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, addressed the crowd, “Gas and diesel prices are reaching record highs. It is estimated that this war has cost on average one billion dollars a day”

McCann continued, “Our government, in its conscious choice to prioritize bombs over babies, jails over jobs, has forfeited its right to exist. It is our job, the people of the United States, to unite all who can be united to overthrow the monopoly capitalist class. To bring an end to endless wars, we must bring an end to the system of capitalism.”

Philip Nguyen of San Jose Against War highlighted the organization’s divestment campaign targeting the city of San Jose, saying, “We are calling out the four city council members that voted to keep money invested in companies complicit in Israel’s genocide and ICE terror.”

Nguyen continued, “We will be continuing to escalate and will keep fighting until we win divestment – and we deal a material blow to the U.S. war machine and Israel!”

The crowd took to the streets and marched along a populated pedestrian path to supportive bystanders and car honks.

#SanJoseCA #CA #AntiWarMovement #Iran #Palestine

Santa Ana, CA – El 21 de agosto, miembros de la Organización de Servicio del Condado de Orange (CSO OC) se unieron a familias cuyos seres queridos fueron asesinados por la policía para exigir justicia para Victor Lopez. 16 personas marcharon desde El Centro Cultural de México portando pancartas que exigían: “Justicia para Victor Lopez” y “Publiquen todas las grabaciones sin editar”. Mientras los manifestantes pasaban junto a un partido de fútbol, ahogaron el himno nacional de Estados Unidos con gritos de: “¿Qué queremos? ¡Justicia! ¿Y cuándo la queremos? ¡Ahora!”.

Al llegar frente al Departamento de Policía, Emily López, hermana de Víctor López, dijo: “Lo mataron en el estacionamiento de su casa. Le dispararon tres veces frente a su hijo de un año y a su pareja. Ambos vieron a mi hermano morir y dar su último suspiro. Estamos aquí hoy para exigir las grabaciones sin editar y el nombre del oficial, y queremos que se rindan cuentas. Queremos evitar que esto le suceda a otra familia.”

A principios de este año, el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana publicó un llamado “informe para la comunidad” que incluía grabaciones parciales de la cámara corporal del agente que mató a Víctor López. La policía ha afirmado que Victor intentaba alcanzar un arma que fue recuperada en el lugar, pero eso no se ve en las grabaciones. En cambio, lo que se ve es cómo el agente apunta inmediatamente su arma hacia López, quien se acercó al agente con las manos arriba antes de darse la vuelta para acostarse en el suelo. Segundos después, el agente alegó que López estaba intentando alcanzar un arma y le disparó hasta matarlo.

El público tiene derecho a ser escéptico ante estas afirmaciones, ya que el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana tiene antecedentes de mentir para justificar su brutalidad y sus asesinatos. Por ejemplo, en 2024, los agentes Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra mintieron diciendo que Noe Rodriguez estaba agitando y apuntando una escopeta hacia ellos para justificar haber disparado casi 30 balas contra un hombre desarmado que sostenía un juguete.

Emily Lopez continuó: “Mi hermano era un joven de 18 años que se esforzaba por mejorar la vida de su familia. Era un trabajador incansable que siempre ayudaba a los demás y ponía a los demás antes que a sí mismo. Era un joven divertido, extrovertido y cariñoso al que le encantaba hacer reír a los demás y siempre se aseguraba de que quienes le rodeaban estuvieran bien. Mi hermano no merecía morir de la manera en que murió. ¡Exijo justicia para mi hermano, Victor Lopez!”

Los manifestantes coreaban: “¡Exigimos justicia! ¡Exigimos respuestas! ¡Una placa no es una licencia para matar!”.

A continuación habló Pearl Arzola, hermana de Albert Arzola, un joven chicano de 19 años: “Perdí a mi hermano un mes antes de que Victor Lopez falleciera, así que cuando me enteré de su trágica muerte, me tocó muy de cerca. No es justo que estemos de luto. Tampoco es justo que la familia Lopez esté de luto. ¡Siento que estos policías deben rendir cuentas y ver por lo que estamos pasando y que los metan a la cárcel!”.

Albert Arzola fue asesinado por el agente Nathan García, del Departamento de Policía de Anaheim. Quedó documentado que García acosó a Arzola desde una patrulla semanas antes del 6 de diciembre, cuando persiguió a Arzola hacia su casa y le disparó en la espalda y el cuello. García también estuvo involucrado en el brutal arresto de un joven chicano desarmado de 14 años en 2024.

Mientras los manifestantes exigían justicia cerca de la entrada del departamento, dos agentes en un vehículo de la Unidad de Pandillas (la unidad número 920) redujeron la velocidad para burlarse de sus consignas, dejando al descubierto la crueldad de la policía. Los manifestantes siguieron el vehículo con carteles y pancartas, gritándoles a los oficiales hasta que se alejaron.

David Pulido, miembro de CSO, habló en último lugar y dijo: “¡Esto es un patrón de violencia racista! Este año vimos cómo la policía arrebataba la vida a chicanos adolescentes. Vimos el asesinato de Jaden Michaca, de 15 años, mientras sufría una crisis de salud mental. Vimos el asesinato de Victor Lopez, un joven padre de 18 años. ¡Tenemos trabajo por hacer! Debemos organizarnos. Somos nosotros quienes debemos llevar a estos agentes ante la justicia. Por eso luchamos por el control comunitario de la policía. Tenemos el derecho democrático fundamental de decidir sobre todos los asuntos policiales”.

Si te interesa luchar contra los crímenes policiales y trabajar junto a familias afectadas por la violencia policial, comunícate con CSO OC a través de Instagram, Facebook o enviando un correo electrónico a orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #VictorLopez #AlbertArzola #OppressedNationalities #Chicano

Los Angeles, CA – On September 15, over 50 residents of Los Angeles attended a board of supervisors meeting to demand the BOS take action to ban deputy gangs in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. African American and Chicano families impacted by deputy gangs mobilized to speak in favor of the motion.

Supervisor Holly J. Mitchel of District 2 authored the motion that attempted to hold the Los Angeles County Sheriffs accountable for their deputy gang problem. The motion called for “Identifying Deputy Gangs within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to Ensure Accountability and Risk Mitigation.” The motion would require the sheriff’s department to create a comprehensive framework for identifying and naming deputy gangs.

Impacted families, Centro CSO and Justice LA organized for weeks prior to pressure the LA Board of Supervisors to approve this motion that included language that bans racist deputy gang logos, such as the Fort Apache logo at the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

Before the hearing, Justice LA organized a press conference where impacted family members spoke out about the abuse and deaths caused by deputy gang members in LA County’s Men’s Central Jail and on the streets by LA County Sheriffs.

Before public comments were heard, Sheriff Robert Luna spoke for over an hour against this motion, and so greatly limited the time the people were given. Over 50 people, largely African American and Chicano, spoke unanimously in favor of the motion.

In the end, the board of supervisors, except for Supervisor Mitchell, voted to bifurcate the motion and postpone a vote on it for a period of 45 days. This is a clear attempt by the board to shield Sheriff Luna against bad publicity.

Cindy Nunez, sister of Francisco Nunez, stated, “Today was deeply disappointing. After asking our county leaders to confront the issue of deputy gangs, I watched the board bifurcate Mitchell’s motion and push this conversation beyond next month’s [sheriff’s] election. For families like mine, this is not a political talking point or an agenda item that can simply be moved down the calendar. We are real families living with the consequences of what happens when accountability is delayed.”

Vanessa Perez, mother of Joseph Perez, stated, “It says a lot when a supervisor can recognize deputy gangs and not just us community members. It’s too bad that the other supervisors wanted to delay it but you know it’s a little rock in the path, you know. It’s an ulterior motive for the election.

Janet Asante, with Dignity & Power Now, said, “This motion wasn’t even that radical. All it asks is that the sheriff department identify deputy gangs within its ranks, not even its members. The fact is that the board would rather wait and strategically push it to after the election. They are playing political games, and meanwhile people are dying.”

This decision by the LA Board of Supervisors shows that the power should not be in the hands of the politicians, it should be in the hands of the people in the form of community control of police, which is a demand Centro CSO upholds. If you want to stay up to date with Centro CSO’s fight for police accountability, follow them on socials @CentroCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CentroCSO

Gilroy, CA – On September 13, around 75 community members rallied together at San Ysidro Park for a victory rally and march to celebrate the court-ordered pause on construction of the nearby ICE facility.

Community Service Organization San José (CSO San José) called the action in collaboration with the San José Coalition Against Trump (SJCAT) after the Santa Clara County Court ruled in favor of a preliminary injunction, pausing the construction of the ICE detention center being built in Gilroy.

The rally was kicked off by chants led by Pan Garcia of CSO San José, later transitioning into a march from San Ysidro Park to the location where the ICE detention center was being built.The energy remained high throughout the march as chants reflecting community members' demands such as “ICE out of Gilroy,” “Chinga la migra” and “Se ve, se siente – el pueblo está presente!”

Once the march arrived at the ICE construction site, the crowd gathered for the program. Ariya Amin with CSO San José stated, “This is a win for us, and this is a small step that we are proud to see in the fight to stop this detention center.”

Amin continued, “This means that construction will need to be at a halt until the court case is complete, and it is hopeful.” Amin went on to explain that Santa Clara County and the attorney general's office had five legal allegations prepared in response to the federal government's initiative to carry out the unlawful construction of the ICE detention center in Gilroy. Out of the five allegations, just one was enough to call for a temporary injunction.

Lyla Salinas, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), stated, “They paused the construction of the detention center; this is a win for the immigrant rights movement here in Gilroy, in San José and nationally!”

Salinas continued, “We have shown that every time we face injustice, that we face oppression as immigrants and Chicanos, that we need to fight back! And when we fight back, we win!”

“It’s not just this, it’s also attacks against students, against workers, every single one of the people’s movements is being attacked by the Trump administration today,” continued Salinas. “Every punch, every fight, everything that is thrown at our people, we have to fight back in force. We have to fight back and show them that we as people have the power!”

After the program ended, people marched back to San Ysidro, chanting in good spirits as they celebrated this people's victory, won through struggle.

#GilroyCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #DetentionCenter #OppressedNationalities #BayArea