Santa Ana, CA – Sixteen people, including members of Jaden Michaca’s family, lawyers with Carillo Law Firm, and members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) crowded outside Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) to demand justice for Jaden Michaca on Tuesday, June 23. Michaca was only 15 years old and suffering a mental health crisis when he was killed by police just nine days before.

Maribel Michaca, Jaden's mother, explained how SAPD distorted the incident. Police statements made it sound like they were responding to a call about a family disturbance that resulted in a stabbing. Maribel explained that she called 911 to respond to a mental health crisis, and that in the past she called 911 to have a psychiatric team de-escalate these situations. Additionally, Maribel said her partner was not stabbed but accidentally scratched trying to take away a knife from Jaden during his crisis.

But this time two police officers were sent. When police broke into her apartment Maribel said, “Please do not shoot! Please do not shoot! My son is having a mental health crisis!” At the press conference Maribel explained, “I was standing next to him and they did not care. They just started shooting – one bullet after another bullet. They didn’t even care about my own life being in danger.” Maribel’s hand was shot and her right thumb was immobilized in a brace. She said, “I was not in danger from my son. I was more in danger from the police shooting at me and killing my son.”

Michael Carillo, one of the lawyers representing the family, said they were filing a government claim against the city of Santa Ana and SAPD, accusing the officers of negligence and a failure to de-escalate the situation. The way SAPD responded to Jaden Michaca was similar to other police killings, such as that of Henry Gonzalez Junior and Noe Rodriguez, who were also suffering a mental health crises and then criminalized and killed by police.

Family members held large photos of Michaca, where he was shown cradling his pet cat, embracing family in front of a cake for his birthday, and standing with his mother. Others held CSO OC signs that read, “Justice for Jaden Michaca,” “Release the body camera footage,” “Release the autopsy report” and “Jail killer cops.”

Jasmine Michaca, Jaden’s aunt, said “Jaden was always such a loving kid. I spent most of my childhood growing up with him. Jaden started developing a liking for Pokémon, and every time he would come home, he would show me his collection.”

In the last two years Jaden began experiencing bipolar disorder. His mother pulled him from public school, and he began taking online classes and receiving help. Jasmine shared her last memory of her nephew, saying “I just came back recently from UC Santa Barbara. Spending the weekend together, he was just so excited to see me. He had called me two weeks prior. I remember one day we were sitting in the living room, and he was telling me he didn’t get to finish high school. He wanted to go to college and pursue a career as a mechanic. I told him if he ever needs help, I will be there with him.” She wept and embraced Jaden’s mother.

Maribel Michaca said, “What I’m asking for today is justice for my son. He did not deserve to die the way he did. He was a loving child. He had plans! He had a future!”

The crowd chanted, “Justice for Jaden! Justice for Jaden! Justice for Jaden!”

CSO OC demands community control of the police, and we fight alongside families impacted by police. If you are interested in joining our work, please reach out on Instagram or Facebook, or email at orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #OppressedNationalities #InjusticeSystem #JadenMichaca

Santa Ana CA – The afternoon of Saturday, June 19, 25 people, including members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) and concerned community members, gathered to demand accountability and transparency after yet another resident was killed by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) earlier that week.

Chants of “Justice for Jaden Michaca!” and “¡Basta policías asesinos!” could be heard over rush hour traffic at the intersection of the apartment complex where Jaden Michaca was killed.

Michaca was only 15 years old when SAPD officers shot him to death the night of June 14. Early reports from the department offer no details of the officer-involved shooting but justified the officer’s actions by stating that the “suspect” had a knife and was under the influence when they responded to a domestic call. Community members immediately called out SAPD’s statements online and in person, condemning the department for the killing and advocating for stronger community oversight of the department.

David Pulido, a member of CSO OC, opened the event with “We’ve seen enough of these police statements and met enough of their victims to know that we should not trust the police! They criminalize the victim by focusing on drug use and property damage to mark them for death!”

A school counselor who knew Jaden Michaca attended the protest and countered early attempts by police to paint him as a criminal. She stated Michaca “had the biggest heart of any kid I’ve worked with, he was sweet and kind, but he happened to be in a body that looked a little bit older, and that of a Chicano male. I can’t deny that that was a factor in what happened.” Michaca’s death is one of many cases of Chicanos being killed by police across Orange County, including three teenage police shooting victims in the last seven months.

The protesters waved signs that demanded justice for the victim, including others that read “Release the names! Release the tapes!” They demanded the immediate publication of all unedited body camera footage, the full autopsy report, and the names of the officers who killed Michaca.

Attendees marched around the intersection of South Main and West Macarthur Boulevard, chanting “Jail killer cops!” while people driving by honked in support. A white cross decorated with fresh flowers and handwritten messages from the family had been set up near the intersection earlier that week to honor Jaden Michaca’s life.

Family members of Albert Arzola, a 19-year-old killed by Anaheim Police Department (APD) in December 2025, attended to show their support for Jaden Michaca’s family. Albert’s sister Pearl Arzola emphasized, “Jaden Michaca was a young kid, and instead of de-escalating the situation, the cops chose more violence! We need more accountability over Santa Ana PD, a young 15-year-old boy should not die because cops are trigger-happy.”

“I don’t know if you saw that the mayor of Santa Ana, she brushed this shooting off like it was nothing. What the fuck?” yelled CSO OC member Luis Herrera. The community booed and responded “Shame!” He then encouraged the crowd, “We need to unite and organize ourselves to fight for justice, because only through organized struggle can we win community control of the police!”

Abe Quintana of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) brought a historical perspective, stating “We know that there is a long history of racist police killings and violence that targets Chicano communities and immigrants from Mexico and Central and South America. The racism and exploitation we experience exist because they are rooted in the oppression of Aztlan, so we need to fight for our self-determination!”

CSO OC organized the protest, which was also attended by PSL, members of Union Del barrio (UDB), and community members who knew Jaden Michaca. CSO is a grassroots, working-class organization that fights for community control of the police and legalization for all the undocumented. They hold general meetings every third Thursday in Santa Ana and can be reached on Instagram @cso.oc or on Facebook, CSO Orange County. Their police crimes hotline is 714-367-6350.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #CSOOC #JadenMichaca #OppressedNationalities #InjusticeSystem

Santa Ana, CA – On Monday, June 15, Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) served a demand letter to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) and the city of Santa Ana threatening to sue if they do not immediately start producing records of the in-custody death of Freddie DeAngelo Washington.

Despite multiple public records act requests, SAPD has only produced a tiny handful of records, and none in over a year. This is far fewer records than SAPD has released in other cases. These delays give the impression that SAPD is hiding something, because what the public already knows about the brutality of the case is shocking.

Back on January 15, 2025, six SAPD officers broke into Washington’s hotel room and arrested him. As two officers pinned him to bed, one officer punched Washington in the back of the head twice. Police wrestled him to the ground, threatened to tase him, and tied down his arms and legs using a restraint device called “the wrap.” According to the police report, later that night Washington was put in a restraint chair and placed in a cell at Santa Ana Jail.

At least one officer with a prior history of violence can be identified in the arrest footage: Isaac Ibarra, who helped with the arrest and helped prepare the restraint device for Freddie Washington. Ibarra was one of the officers who killed unarmed 31-year-old Noe Rodriguez in 2024, shooting him 11 times and lying about what Rodriguez was doing before the shooting.

In Santa Ana Jail the day after Freddie Washington’s arrest, he fainted and officers placed him on his side. When Washington woke and flailed his legs, police violently pinned him to the tile floor with their knees for almost four minutes. Washington was tied down to a restraint chair, hooded with a spit mask and put back in a cell. Public Information Officer Natalie Garcia said that “at some point, jail staff determined the suspect did not appear to be breathing.” He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

As of Tuesday June 16, SAPD Records Division deleted public messages from the website, but CSO OC members preserved these records beforehand.

Meanwhile, the family of Freddie Washington has been left in the dark. Washington’s sister, Moesha Hightower, described him as “a country boy from Aitken, South Carolina who loved to cook, to travel, and to take care of his daughter.” In fact, SAPD incorrectly stated Washington was from Ventura County when he was in California to fight for custody of his daughter.

Washington’s mother, Beatrice Hightower, said he was “a family man and an honest child who helped Beatrice and his sisters.” She misses him bitterly and said she had to bury Washington on his birthday. Washington’s family demands justice for his death and for the officers involved to be held accountable.

Six years since the racist killing of George Floyd by killer cop Derek Chauvin, the brutality of Washington’s arrest and death by SAPD speaks for itself. This was another racist killing, and SAPD cannot be trusted to carry out investigations into their own officers.

This is why CSO OC fights for community control of the police. The public has a basic right to decide on police matters where they live, including how in-custody deaths are investigated and how police are held accountable for acts of brutality.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OrangeCounty #FreddieWashington #InjusticeSystem #PoliceAccountability #CSO #CSOOC #Featured

Santa Ana, CA – The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) shot and killed an unnamed 16-year-old inside his own apartment on Sunday, June 14. SAPD released multiple statements to justify the killing hours before caution tape came down or police had even left the scene. This killing happened just four and a half months after the last teenager, 18-year-old Chicano Victor Lopez, was killed by SAPD.

On Monday, June 15, Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) members investigated the apartment complex to learn more about the victim.

Police said they were called about a family disturbance. Reports said the 53-year-old boyfriend of the “suspect’s” mother reported that the 16-year-old had stabbed him with a knife, was “under the influence” and was “vandalizing property.” When they arrived, police said they told the teenager to drop the knife and when he refused, they shot him.

But the public has a right to be skeptical. Police often use these reports to justify their killings, calling their victims suspects, emphasizing how dangerous they are, and focusing on drug use and property damage to mark people for death. The public never gets the bigger picture behind the story. And police never ask if they could solve the problem without violence.

CSO OC members went door to door to learn what happened from neighbors and to connect with the impacted family. Multiple neighbors said they heard police breaking down a door. One said she heard between ten and 20 gunshots, and a mother crying out, “You killed my baby!” CSO OC met members of the family weeping just feet away from their taped-off complex. These details start to paint a different picture from the story the police project in their social media and local news outlets.

CSO OC will be having a protest on behalf of the family and all victims of police crimes in Santa Ana on Friday, June 19 at 6 p.m. at the intersection of W McArthur Boulevard and S Main Street.

These victims include people like 18-year-old Victor Lopez, who just four months earlier was chased by SAPD into a parking structure. But what SAPD failed to mention was that it was his own apartment complex, or that they shot Lopez three times in the back while he was attempting to surrender. They do not mention that Lopez was driving with his fiancé and one-year-old son. Instead, they focus on a firearm he dropped while exiting the vehicle, which is not a death sentence, and the firearm was not used. SAPD claims it does not need to release more body camera footage to the public but faces yet another civil rights lawsuit for the police killing.

All of this is why CSO OC fights for community control of the police. We have a basic right to decide on all police matters where we live. That includes the ability to have independent and transparent investigations into these killings, and the ability to hold police accountable for killing our children. If you would like to meet us or would like our support as an organization, please reach out at Instagram, Facebook, or email at orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CSOOC

Anaheim, CA – On Saturday, June 6, Community Service Organization, Orange County (CSO OC) along with friends and family of Albert Arzola, held a protest and vigil on the six-month anniversary of his killing by Anaheim PD Officer Nathan Garcia.

The energy was high as the protest began in front of the Anaheim City Hall with chants of “Justice for Albert Arzola!” Attendees' voices echoed far and wide as spectators from the streets stopped to watch. As the march began with chants of “Nathan Garcia, lock him up!” Anaheim residents driving by honked their horns in support. The match went from Anaheim City Hall to the front of the Anaheim Police Department.

There, CSO OC police accountability committee member Matthew Compton opened with, “We are here today to demand Anaheim Police Chief Manuel Cid fire killer cop Nathan Garcia!”

Compton described Arzola’s murder: “Officer Garcia leapt out of an unmarked police car, drew his gun, and chased Albert towards his home. He then dragged Albert backwards by his hoodie and shot him in the back.” As Compton continued with his speech, the crowd of over 50 people yelled “Shame!” making sure the police drone that was flying around could hear them.

The next speaker came up and stated: “My name is Rosie Camacho, the mother of Albert Arzola. I’m here seeking justice, and accountability from the killer cop who murdered my son. He’s still here in the police department, harassing kids, harassing my son, and coming to my house. He tried to get me arrested.”

Camacho continued, “I want him arrested. I want transparency, we need a change. They killed my son, they murdered him in front of me. We don’t want killer cops, we need accountability.” Rosie’s emotions ran high, and that influenced the crowd for the rest of the evening.

Other family members of Arzola spoke as well.

“My name is Leslie Lopez, I’m the older cousin of Albert. The moment we received the news all I can think is, there is no way they killed my baby cousin. In those moments every memory rushes through your mind. The summers we spent together, the family quinceaneras, river trips, and all the laughter we shared. In an instant, Nathan Garcia took all those future memories away from me and my family.”

Compton wrapped up with, “That is why CSO fights for community control of the police. We all know the police can’t police themselves. They are spineless little cowards who would rather shoot first then be held accountable for their actions. They are so fucking scared of being thrown into a prison cell that they have to constantly demonize their victims in order for their murder to be seen as justified.” The protesters followed with chants of “Justice for Albert Arzola!”

As the protest neared its end, the energy was at its peak. Loud and angry chants of “Fuck Anaheim PD!” and “Fuck Nathan Garcia!” closed out the protest.

After the protest, family, friends and members of CSO OC gathered in front of the house where Albert Arzola was killed. There, memories were shared as people honored his life.

Grace Arzola, Albert’s aunt said, “He would be down for any trip, even if it meant going from here to Lake Tahoe, down to San Francisco, back to here. All in all it took us three days.” Grace then said a prayer. “Lord, we thank you for the life of Albert, we thank you for the good memories, we thank you for bringing him into our lives.”

To finish out the vigil, a moment of silence was held which was led by Arzola’s mother, Rosie. They held a balloon release while Albert’s favorite song played in the background. Overall, the vigil was somber, but with family and friends sharing laughs and funny stories as they reminisced on the life of Albert.

#AnaheimCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #CSOOC #Featured

Santa Ana, CA – 28 people, including residents of Coach Royal Mobile Home Park, families impacted by police killings, and members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC), flooded Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday, May 19.

Outside the chamber, CSO OC’s Immigration Committee rallied to demand Kingsley Corporation get out of Coach Royal Mobile Home Park.

Inside the chamber, CSO’s Police Accountability Committee delivered their petition demanding that Santa Ana Police Department Officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired for killing Noe Rodriguez. May 19 was the anniversary of Rodriguez’s birthday.

Coach Royal resident Karla Alvarado said, “We had our rent stabilization meeting almost a month ago, and we are asking for the video of that event, and the city is trying to deny us access to it!” At that meeting, Kingsley denied residents access to Spanish interpretation or designated witnesses, and they barred observers from entering the meeting. But protests from residents forced city staff to “realize” that residents were entitled to these rights.

“¡Fuera Kingsley! ¡Fuera Kingsley!” chants were heard inside the chamber as people outside rallied. Santa Ana city staff tried drowning them out by raising the volume of the outdoor TV, but these backfired and caused residents to shout even louder.

Inside the chamber, Mayor Valerie Amezcua tried to silence the people, reading the city attorney’s statement which said there was nothing the city could do about Kingsley Corporation. Boos from the audience interrupted her. Threatening to stop the meeting, Amezcua slandered Coach Royal residents, claiming without evidence that they “had turned to making threats and acting physically aggressive with our city staff.”

Then the city council voted to limit public comment to one minute. Boos filled the chamber as Councilmembers Valerie Amezcua, Jessie Lopez, Phil Bacerra and Thai Viet Phan voted to silence the public.

CSO OC member Matthew Compton said, “You guys are really fucking scared of the Coach Royal people, and it’s really fucking shameful that you decided to cut it to one minute. Including you, Jessie! The Arzolas are sitting right there and they saw your bullshit. They canvassed for you and they supported you.”

The family of Albert Arzola, who was killed by Anaheim PD officer Nathan Garcia on December 1, 2025, has supported Lopez’s State Assembly run for weeks, because her opponent, Santa Ana Councilmember David Penaloza, is a loyal servant of the police.

Erika Armenta, the widow of Noe Rodriguez, approached the podium. On either side of her, CSO OC members held signs showing hundreds of petition signatures. As of May 21st, the petition stood at 638 signatures. It can be signed here.

Armenta said, “It has now been 504 days since December 1, 2024, since Officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra took the life of my daughters' father, Noe Rodriguez, in a hail of bullets; yet you have done nothing to fire them – you only seek excuses. The mayor, in particular, takes it upon herself to protect them, publicly offering her support to these so-called ‘peace officers’ without regard for the pain this causes us, those of us who have lost a loved one.”

Armenta held her phone to the microphone and shared a recording of her daughter’s voice. Her daughter said, “I am sad because today, it is my father’s birthday and I cannot hug him. I am frustrated because they stole his life, and the ones who did this continue to walk free.” Armenta held up a painting as the recording continued, “I made this drawing to remember his beautiful memory.”

As Armenta spoke, Councilmember Thai Viet Phan stared into space and ate yogurt.

David Pulido, a CSO OC member, said, “We are here today to present the early results of our petition for Justice for Noe Rodriguez.” Pulido continued, saying “Today would have been his birthday! And you robbed that time from him!” As the city cut his microphone, Pulido demanded Police Chief Robert Rodriguez fire the killer cops and led chants of “Luis Casillas? Lock him up! Isaac Ibarra? Lock him up!” Chants filled the chamber and the audience drowned out the mayor, forcing her to wait.

Guadalupe Barragan, a Coach Royal resident who has been fighting against Kingsley’s abuse for years, countered the mayor’s slanderous statement about Coach Royal residents. She pointed directly at Amezcua and said, “Hopefully you have proof of everything you just said, making accusations of my family! You know me, that we are working-class people. Yes, we are angry! Because Kingsley has been stealing our homes!”

CSO OC member Diana Terreros took the mic, saying, “It’s a shame that you are trying to slander the Coach Royal residents and saying that they’re threatening city staff. We have a video that shows that during their hearing, city staff was trying to put hands on them and trying to push out their supporters.” Terreros said, “You guys keep telling them to sue Kingsley, to submit their petitions, and do this and that on an individual basis. What we’re asking is for this to be treated as the systemic issue that it is. Everywhere that Kingsley is across the country, these issues are happening. It will not be solved by an individual lawsuit. Shame on you guys for doing absolutely nothing!”

As the public was leaving, city staff shamefully served Karla Alvarado a restraining order filed by a city staff employee named Maricela Marquez, who was present at the April 29 Rent Stabilization Division meeting. Alvarado will appear in court on May 29.

These attacks will not stop CSO OC from fighting alongside the people. We demand Kingsley out of Santa Ana! We demand killer cops Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired!

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CSOOC #Housing

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

Santa Ana, CA – On May 1, nearly 300 people packed into Sasscer Park for International Workers’ Day. The rally and march, which also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the immigrant mega marches, was organized by the Orange County May Day Coalition. The energy in the crowd grew as the emcee of the rally, Abe Quintana from Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) led chants of “ICE out of Santa Ana! ICE out of OC!”

Michelle Ceballos from UAW started by emphasizing “the wealthy have extracted more and more profit from us, kept our wages low, raised prices, and bought out our politicians! It doesn’t have to be this way! May Day reminds us that when we fight, we win!”

Speaking on the immigrant mega marches 20 years ago Ceballos added, “In 2006, on a Day Without an Immigrant, millions hit the streets to defeat an anti-immigrant law, and won. In January, hundreds of thousands across the U.S. shut it down, to get ICE to back off. Today, people joined the call to shut it down again, to keep building momentum for a mass movement!”

Erika Armenta, the wife of Noe Rodriguez, a man who was killed by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) is also a member of CSO OC. Armenta told the crowd, “We need community control of the police to ensure that officers who have taken the lives of our loved ones face consequences-specifically, that they be fired and subsequently imprisoned. They must be held accountable for the lives they have unjustly snatched away!”

Armenta also spoke of CSO OC’s fight for immigrant rights, “Our Immigration Committee works with the working-class immigrants of the Coach Royal mobile home park who are fighting unjust evictions and abuse from Kingsley Management Corporation.”

Hussein Imreish from the Palestinian Youth Movement said,“ For the past two years we have seen how essential the labor movement is for Palestine. Through our campaigns such as Mask of Maersk and the Peoples Arms Embargo we have connected with principled and dedicated workers who reject the imperialist forces inflicting violence and exploiting our people.”

Diana Terreros from Freedom Road Socialist Organization Orange County (FRSO OC) kicked off her speech by saying, “Immigrants are super exploited to increase the profits of the billionaires.” Terreros spoke about the local example of Kingsley. “They do illegal terrible things to the residents all for profit and then count on the residents being too afraid to fight back due to their status. They have even threatened to call ICE on them! Shame!” Terreros finished with a call to action by saying, “We are an organization of fighters working shoulder to shoulder with the working class and have a real strategy to build a united front against these capitalists and you should join us in this fight!”

Gaby Hernandez from Chicanos Unidos stated, “We have worked heavily and led the campaign against gang injunctions. Gang injunctions create prisons in our communities without walls.” Hernandez added that “We started fighting against injunctions in 2006 and just a few months ago we were able to shut down injunctions here in Orange County!”

At the height of the rally, the large crowd started marching. The protesters stopped traffic, fully taking over the road, chanting “ICE out of OC!”, “Donald Trump, let’s be clear! Immigrants are welcome here!” and “Jail killer cops!” throughout downtown as the crowd filled the busy streets.

The crowd held up signs saying “No Ice! Stop the deportations,” “Workers Forever, CEOs never” and “Fight for workers' and immigrants’ rights” while passing cars gave honks of support.

While marching, David Pulido, a member of FRSO OC and a chant leader for the march, brought attention to the parking lot where 73-year-old Miguel Chavez was brutally arrested by the SAPD in 2022. “They shot him with less-lethal rounds and sicced a K-9 dog at him! He later died from his wounds!” This started powerful chants of “Justice for Miguel Chavez!” and “Jail killer cops!”

This OC May Day coalition was comprised of and included organizers from CSO OC, OC DSA, FRSO OC, UAW, Harbor Institute, El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Code Pink OC, OC Peace Coalition, CHIRLA, Orange County Banner Drop, OC Mutual Aid, Chicanos Unidos, Palestinian Youth Movement Orange County Environmental Justice, General Strike US, Nuestras Manos, Santa Ana Lucha, Santa Ana Active Streets, Save Orange Hills, Green Party of OC, Union de Barrio, VietRISE and Climate Action Campaign and.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #OC #OrangeCounty #MayDay #InternationalWorkersDay #ImmigrantRights #Labor #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – El martes 21 de abril, los residentes del parque de casas móviles Coach Royal exigieron que Kingsley Management Corporation se retire de su parque. La Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC) se unió a ellos para exigir que el Concejo Municipal intervenga ante años de acoso, desalojos injustos, robo de viviendas e intimidación por parte de la corporación. Este abuso resultó en el suicidio de la residente María Pedraza, cuya vivienda estaba en proceso de serle arrebatada después de años de sacrificios para comprarla.

Karla Alvarado, una de las residentes a quien le robaron su vivienda, declaró: “La ciudad de Santa Ana ya se ha reunido con 45 residentes que pueden dar testimonio de esto. 45 residentes y contando. Hemos hablado con personas de múltiples parques. Las historias son iguales, las tácticas son iguales y los resultados también. Esa es la definición de un problema sistémico.”

Lupe Barragán, residente y organizadora, miró y señaló directamente a cada miembro del concejo mientras hablaba. “¡Necesitan responder! Phil Bacerra, tú trataste de intimidarnos cuando fuimos a tu oficina. Tú, Jonathan Hernández, necesitamos que nos respondas también. Fuiste y nos apoyaste, y necesitamos más de tu apoyo. City Manager, necesitamos de tu ayuda. Valerie Amezcua, sé que mi presencia no te agrada, pero nos dijiste que ibas a sacar las armas grandes. ¡Te estamos esperando!” Mientras se retiraba, la alcaldesa Amezcua se río de ella. Barragán se dio la vuelta, señaló a Amezcua y la reprendió por su falta de respeto.

Sylvia Ayala, otra residente, le dijo al consejo: “Tengo 40 años aquí y nunca he recibido alguna ayuda de ustedes. Porque ustedes no se preocupan por el pueblo; ustedes se preocupan por ustedes mismos. Trabajan, ciertamente. Pero nosotros tenemos que trabajar todavía más que ustedes. Las humillaciones que nos hacen los que tienen dinero no son justas.”

Mientras los residentes hablaban, miembros de CSO OC y residentes desplegaron una pancarta que decía: “¡Kingsley fuera!”. La cámara comenzó a cambiar de ángulo con frecuencia para evitar mostrar la pancarta en la pantalla. En un momento dado, cuatro agentes de la policía de Santa Ana se acercaron a los organizadores y les indicaron que debían trasladarse a la parte trasera si iban a sostener una pancarta, a pesar de que nadie se había quejado de tener la visibilidad obstruida.

Cuando Rain Mendoza, de CSO OC, subió para hablar durante el turno de comentarios públicos, primero alzó la pancarta y le dijo al consejo que la mirara y la mostrara ante las cámaras.

Mendoza respondió a la frecuente postura del consejo de que no pueden hacer nada porque el parque es propiedad privada, diciendo: “Ustedes demandaron a El Centro Cultural de México, un pilar de esta comunidad, para así poder utilizar a sus policías para tirar a la basura las pertenencias de las personas sin hogar y expulsarlas de un lugar donde los propietarios privados les habían permitido permanecer. Entonces, ¿pueden hacer todo eso y utilizar los tribunales, la policía y todos sus recursos para aterrorizar a una comunidad sumamente vulnerable, pero no pueden mover un solo dedo cuando hay una empresa que opera en Santa Ana y que actúa como una banda de matones? ¡Debería darles vergüenza!”

Diana Terreros, de CSO OC, recordó al consejo que los residentes de Coach Royal son, en su mayoría, inmigrantes de clase trabajadora quienes sus hogares constituyen su refugio durante la administración Trump. Terreros declaró: “Las acciones de Kingsley van en contra del espíritu de toda la ordenanza de ciudad santuario. Están explotando el miedo de los inmigrantes en Santa Ana. Esperan que ese miedo sea suficiente para obligar a los residentes a mantener la cabeza baja y la boca cerrada. Están explotando a esta comunidad y su temor para aumentar sus ganancias, robándoles sus hogares. Se trata de una corporación multimillonaria de Utah. ¿Por qué permitimos que exploten a Santa Ana de esta manera?”

Otro miembro de CSO OC resumió los cientos de miles de dólares que los grupos que representan a los propietarios de parques de casas móviles han donado en contra de la campaña a favor de la Ordenanza de Estabilización de Alquileres y Desalojo por Causa Justa, la cual fue aprobada en octubre de 2021. También han realizado donaciones a las campañas de los miembros del concejo. Él preguntó a los concejales: “¿Es esto lo que influye en sus frecuentes respuestas de que no hay nada que puedan hacer para hacer cumplir la ley ante lo que ustedes saben que son actos injustos e ilegales cometidos por Kingsley contra los residentes de Coach Royal?”

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

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

Santa Ana, CA – La tensión fue palpable el martes 17 de marzo, cuando residentes de Santa Ana, junto con la Organización de Servicios Comunitarios del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), asistieron a la sesión del Concejo Municipal. Exigieron que los policías asesinos Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra fueran despedidos del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD).

El 1 de diciembre de 2024, Noe Rodríguez fue asesinado por la Policía de Santa Ana. Jocelyn Pacheco, de CSO OC, declaró: “Noe Rodríguez estaba desarmado y atravesando una crisis de salud mental. Fue entonces cuando los agentes del SAPD, Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra, le dispararon 29 veces. Las imágenes de las cámaras corporales muestran que abrieron fuego apenas 30 segundos después de la llegada de los agentes”.

Hacia el final de la intervención de Pacheco, le cortaron el micrófono, a pesar de que solo se había pasado por 17 segundos del tiempo asignado. Los asistentes a la reunión gritaron: “¡Déjenla hablar!” y “¡Qué vergüenza!”.

Matthew Compton relató un incidente ocurrido con el agente Ibarra el 18 de febrero, afirmando: “Miembros de CSO, junto con la familia de Noe Rodríguez, se encontraban fuera del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana grabando videos. Isaac Ibarra salió deliberadamente del departamento, justo hacia donde estábamos parados, en un intento de intimidarnos”.

Compton continuó: “Isaac nos dio un codazo tanto a mí como a otro miembro de CSO; más tarde me golpeó con el hombro y lanzó un golpe falso a otro miembro de CSO. Isaac es una persona sumamente inestable mentalmente y no se le debería permitir formar parte de la fuerza policial, y mucho menos portar armas letales”.

En respuesta a otros comentarios que expresaban inquietudes sobre el comportamiento del agente Ibarra, la alcaldesa Valerie Amezcua—quien recibe fondos de campaña de la Asociación de Agentes de Policía de Santa Ana—declaró lo siguiente: “Le pedí a mi esposo que viera ese video con el agente Ibarra, y sentí mucha pena por él”. Y continuó: “Creo que se comportó de una manera que me hizo exclamar: ‘¡Vaya!’. Es una situación difícil; él simplemente iba caminando hacia su auto”.

Familiares de víctimas de la violencia policial estuvieron presentes en la sesión, incluyendo a la familia de Noe Rodríguez y a la familia de Albert Arzola. Tenía solo 19 años cuando fue asesinado por agentes de la policía de Anaheim el 6 de diciembre de 2025.

Grace Arzola reprendió al concejo, declarando: “Valerie y Phil, el lenguaje corporal es todo. Ustedes están más preocupados por una carta constitutiva y por postes de luz que no reparan que por personas que están perdiendo la vida.” Arzola señaló que el alcalde no estaba prestando atención y permanecía encorvado durante los comentarios del público.

David Pulido, miembro de CSO OC, mencionó: “Luis Casillas mató a dos personas en el lapso de un mes. A Noe Rodríguez el 1 de diciembre de 2024 y a Henry González Jr. el 1 de enero de 2025. Casillas también estuvo involucrado en una brutal paliza a un menor de 15 años, Mario Díaz. A pesar de todos sus crímenes, SAPD no ha despedido a Luis Casillas; en su lugar, lo trasladaron de la patrulla a la división de crímenes contra las personas.”

Pulido concluyó: “¡Exigimos que Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra sean despedidos antes de que puedan volver a matar! Si no hacen nada, la sangre estará en sus manos. La sangre está en las manos del jefe de policía Robert Rodríguez. La sangre estará en sus manos, administrador de la ciudad Álvaro Núñez. La sangre estará en las manos de cualquier concejal que se oponga a la rendición de cuentas. ¡Ese será su legado, y nunca permitiremos que nadie lo olvide!” El público aplaudió y gritó porras.

Al finalizar la sesión, algunos concejales—como Jonathan Hernández—mostraron su apoyo al despido de Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra. Otros mostraron su desdén hacia los residentes de Santa Ana.

La familia de Noe Rodríguez, junto con CSO OC y residentes de Santa Ana, llevan más de un año luchando para obtener justicia para Noe Rodríguez. Los miembros de CSO declararon que no se detendrán hasta que Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra sean despedidos y encarcelados por sus crímenes.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – El 26 de febrero, 20 miembros de la comunidad marcharon a lo largo de Civic Center Drive para confrontar al Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD). Cantos como “¡Cárcel para los policías asesinos!” y ”¡La migra, la policía: la misma porquería!” resonaron por todo el vecindario, mientras los residentes hacían sonar sus bocinas en señal de solidaridad. Los asistentes portaban pancartas que exigían justicia para Noe Rodríguez, así como otras en referencia a víctimas recientes de la violencia policial.

Noe Rodríguez fue asesinado mientras se encontraba desarmado y en medio de una crisis de salud mental en diciembre de 2024. Las solicitudes de registros públicos realizadas por la Organización de Servicio Comunitario Condado de Orange (CSO OC) revelaron que los agentes de SAPD responsables de su muerte—Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra—continúan trabajando para SAPD y fueron movidos discretamente a otras unidades.

Jocelyn Pacheco, del Comité de Rendición de Cuentas Policial (PAC) de CSO, presentó los hechos del caso de Noe, afirmando: “Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra, los agentes responsables de su asesinato, continúan prestando servicio en el cuerpo policial, incluso después de haberle disparado 29 veces. ¿Cómo puede justificarse eso como defensa propia?”

Erika Armenta, viuda de Noe, alzó la voz contra los concejales que se oponen a la rendición de cuentas, afirmando: “Algunos representantes nos dicen que no podemos despedir a los agentes mientras se encuentran bajo investigación por un incidente, pero ¿quién puede garantizar que nuestras comunidades estén a salvo de la violencia repetida?”

Ambos agentes se han visto involucrados en otros casos de mala conducta y muertes desde que mataron a Noe Rodríguez, quien se encontraba desarmado. Casillas mató a tiros a Henry González Jr. el 1 de enero de 2025, quien también sufría de una enfermedad mental, incluido un comportamiento suicida.

Ibarra estuvo involucrado en el brutal arresto y la muerte bajo custodia de Freddy DeAngelo Washington el 16 de enero de 2025. Después, participó en la golpiza a Mario Díaz, un joven de 15 años, quien tuvo que ser trasladado a un hospital debido a sus heridas a pesar de haberse entregado a la policía; este hecho quedó documentado en un video fechado el 9 de junio de 2025.

Menos de dos semanas antes de la protesta, miembros de CSO OC—incluidas las dos hijas pequeñas de Noe Rodríguez—fueron abordados por el oficial Isaac Ibarra mientras ofrecían una conferencia de prensa frente al departamento.

Matthew Compton, de CSO, comentó: “Cuando empezamos a filmar a Ibarra y lo confrontamos con sus crímenes, mintió y dijo que lo habíamos amenazado y agredido. La verdad es que intentó repetidamente provocarnos para que peleáramos con él.”

David Pulido, miembro de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL), habló en español sobre cómo el largo patrón de asesinatos policiales de chicanos constituye un rasgo de la opresión nacional, y afirmó: “Necesitamos una revolución para establecer el poder político de la clase trabajadora y liberar a naciones oprimidas como Aztlán. ¡Esa es la solución a estos asesinatos policiales racistas!”

La marcha fue encabezada por la familia de Noe Rodríguez y CSO OC, y contó con el apoyo de Chicanxs Unidxs (CU) y los Socialistas Democráticos de América (DSA). También acudieron observadores legales del Peace and Justice Law Center (PJLC) en solidaridad con la comunidad.

CSO OC lucha por la autodeterminación chicana, el control comunitario de la policía y la legalización para todos los inmigrantes indocumentados. Tienen reuniones generales cada tercer jueves en Santa Ana, y se les puede contactar en Instagram @cso.oc y en Facebook, Orange County CSO.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #CSO #CSOOC #OC #OrangeCounty #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities

Santa Ana, CA — El sábado 7 de marzo, cerca de 50 miembros de la comunidad se congregaron en el parque El Salvador para el Día Internacional de la Mujer. A pesar de las intensas ráfagas de los vientos de Santa Ana, los participantes mantuvieron el ánimo en alto. Condenaron los numerosos ataques perpetrados contra las mujeres y las personas LGBTQ por parte de la administración Trump.

Rain Mendoza, del comité de inmigración de CSO OC, inició los discursos y habló sobre el impacto del terror de ICE, dijo: “Un ejemplo de esto son las muchas mujeres que han sufrido abortos espontáneos en los centros de detención; mujeres que fueron agredidas sexualmente por personas que se hicieron pasar por agentes de ICE, así como la violación de una detenida nicaragüense en el Centro de Procesamiento de ICE en el sur de Luisiana”.

Rachel Pozos, cofundadora de AlianzaTransLatinx, habló sobre su experiencia viviendo en el Condado de Orange como mujer trans e inmigrante durante los últimos 21 años. “No siempre he sido vista por la sociedad con los ojos de dignidad que merezco. Pero, aun así, me levanto cada día con la fuerza que me da mi identidad.” Pozos añadió: “Ser inmigrante me ha enseñado a valorar las raíces, a abrazar la cultura que traigo conmigo y recordar que somos muchas de las que cruzamos fronteras buscando un futuro mejor. Un futuro que también incluye la libertad para ser quien somos sin miedo ni vergüenza.”

La escritora local Anatalia Valdez presentó poesía oral centrada en las conexiones ancestrales y la justicia social. En los árboles que rodeaban a la multitud en el parque colgaban carteles que rendían homenaje a varias mujeres, entre ellas Emma Tenayuca, Renee Good y Dolores Huerta.

Guadalupe Barragan, residente y organizadora del parque de casas móviles Coach Royal, animó a la multitud con un discurso apasionado. “Vivo en un complejo de casas móviles y estamos teniendo un muy mal rato. Los managers y los dueños del parque acosan a los residentes; les quitan las casas. Inclusive hubo una muerte. Una persona terminó quitándose la vida. ¡Necesitamos levantarnos a favor de nuestros derechos!” Barragan denunció a los propietarios del parque, declarando: “¡La corporación Kingsley son unos asesinos, son unos ladrones, y no lo vamos a permitir!”

Mientras continuaban los discursos, los usuarios del parque comenzaron a congregarse en el evento para escuchar. De fondo, los niños realizaban actividades artísticas en el puesto de cuidado infantil de CSO OC.

Durante el programa se destacó a las mujeres que luchan por la justicia para sus seres queridos, asesinados por la policía. Se leo una declaración de Erika Armenta, esposa de Noe Rodríguez, quien fue asesinado por la Policía de Santa Ana en diciembre de 2024. Ella y sus hijas han estado liderando la lucha por la justicia y para exigir rendición de cuentas a los agentes responsables.

Pearl Arzola, hermana de Albert Arzola—asesinado por la Policía de Anaheim en diciembre de 2025—habló sobre lo que implica ser madre soltera de tres hijos mientras lucha por la justicia. “Hay días en que el peso se siente pesado, en que duermes poco y en que te preguntas si estás haciendo lo suficiente. Pero las mujeres siguen adelante. Las madres siguen adelante. Avanzamos. No por nosotras mismas, sino por nuestros hijos y por las generaciones que vienen después de nosotras.”

Un set de DJ a cargo de Tan Tan Club sonaba de fondo durante un intermedio del programa, mientras los asistentes visitaban las mesas de las organizaciones dispuestas alrededor del parque. Francis Co. y los Lusitanos también ofrecieron actuaciones musicales, narrando historias sobre la vida en Santa Ana.

Hala Nakhoul, de la Red de la Comunidad Palestina en EE. UU. (USPCN), relató su llegada a los Estados Unidos siendo adolescente—una decisión tomada por su madre en un acto de desesperación—y declaró: “Pensábamos que Estados Unidos era la tierra de los libres y el hogar de los valientes; sin embargo, tras más de 40 años viviendo en este país, mi experiencia me ha enseñado que esta es la tierra de las guerras subsidiarias al servicio de nuestro ocupante: Israel.”

Diana Terreros, de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL), declaró: “En este momento vemos un feminismo que celebra el bombardeo de Irán en nombre de la liberación de las mujeres, mientras ignora que uno de los primeros bombardeos de esta guerra mató a más de 100 niñas en una escuela primaria.” Terreros concluyó: “Con el tiempo, me di cuenta—al igual que muchas mujeres antes que yo—de que las mujeres no podrán ser libres hasta que establezcamos el socialismo mediante una revolución. Me uní a la OSCL porque me tomo muy en serio hacer que esto suceda.”

La multitud cerró el evento con fuerza marchando hacia Civic Center Drive para realizar una manifestación con pancartas. Los letreros decían: «Solidaridad con las mujeres inmigrantes» y “Detengan las deportaciones: mantengan unidas a las familias”. Coreaban “¡Trump, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” mientras los automóviles que pasaban tocaban sus bocinas en señal de apoyo.

El evento fue organizado por CSO OC y contó con el respaldo de USPCN, United Domestic Workers, OSCL, Pride at the Pier, AlianzaTransLatinx, South Asian Network y otras organizaciones.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InternationalWomensDay #DiaInternacionalDeLaMujer #CSOOC #OrangeCounty

Santa Ana, CA – El 24 de enero, cerca de 100 miembros de la comunidad de toda Santa Ana se congregaron en la esquina de las calles Bristol y 1st, coreando: “¡ICE asesino, fuera de nuestras calles!” Los manifestantes exigieron justicia para Alex Pretti, la víctima más reciente de los agentes federales asesinos que aterrorizan a Minnesota. También exigieron la salida de ICE del condado de Orange y el fin de las deportaciones en todo el país.

Diana Terreros, de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario Condado de Orange (CSO OC), inauguró el evento declarando: “Estamos aquí porque un agente de la Patrulla Fronteriza disparó y mató a Alex Pretti esta misma mañana en Minnesota. Alex Pretti era un observador comunitario de ICE y enfermero de cuidados intensivos. ¡Los agentes que lo abatieron a tiros a plena luz del día le dispararon más de diez veces, como unos cobardes!”

Terreros también declaró: “¡Estamos aquí en solidaridad con Minnesota! ¡También estamos aquí porque nuestra propia ciudad ha estado bajo ataque por parte de agentes del ICE desde que Trump asumió el cargo, y esta semana han desatado una ofensiva en Santa Ana y en todo el condado de Orange! Los queremos fuera de nuestra ciudad, fuera de nuestro condado.”

Matthew Compton, miembro de la Organización Socialista Camino a la Libertad (OSCL), declaró: “En Santa Ana hemos observado un aumento en las redadas del ICE y en el uso de armas de fuego contra los observadores del ICE. Pero cuando llega el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana, apuntan sus armas contra las personas que están luchando contra la agenda de Trump.”

“¡Estas matanzas, toda esta violencia, no terminarán por sí solas! ¡Debemos ponerles fin! ¡Debemos organizarnos y luchar colectivamente! Esta administración permite que ocurra esta violencia y niega cualquier tipo de rendición de cuentas. ¡Por eso, nosotros, el pueblo, debemos exigirla! ¡Debemos luchar por ella!” instó Rain Mendoza, del Comité de Inmigración de la CSO.

Thomas Crisp, de la organización Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), declaró: “Cuando los padres son arrebatados de sus hijos por matones enmascarados, cuando Keith Porter o Renee Good reciben disparos por intentar resistir la brutalidad de manera no violenta, estas son violaciones de la dignidad humana”. También convocaron a guardar un momento de silencio mientras se colocaban velas y flores para honrar a las víctimas de los agentes del ICE.

Los conductores hicieron sonar sus bocinas en señal de apoyo durante todo el evento y mientras los manifestantes marchaban por la calle Bristol. Los manifestantes ocuparon todos los carriles de tráfico y portaban pancartas exigiendo la salida de ICE de Santa Ana y justicia para las víctimas de ICE. Consignas como “¡Chinga la migra!” y “¡Legalización para todos!” resonaron en los vecindarios adyacentes.

La protesta fue organizada por CSO OC, con el apoyo de otros grupos locales, incluidos OSCL, CLUE y otros.

CSO lucha por el control comunitario de la policía y por la legalización de todas las personas indocumentadas. Tiene reuniones generales cada tercer jueves en Santa Ana; se les puede contactar en Instagram a través de @cso.oc o en Facebook, buscando CSO Orange County.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #DerechosDeLosInmigrantes #AlexPretti #ICE #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – Tensions rode high Tuesday, March 17, when Santa Ana residents, along with Community Service Organization, Orange County (CSO OC) attended city council. They demanded that killer cops Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired from Santa Ana Police Department.

On December 1, 2024, Noe Rodriguez was murdered by Santa Ana Police. Jocelyn Pacheco of CSO OC stated, “Noe Rodriguez was unarmed and experiencing a mental health crisis. When SAPD officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra shot him 29 times. Bodycam footage shows that they opened fire within 30 seconds of the officers arriving. “

Towards the end of Pacheco’s comment her mic was shut off, despite only being 17 seconds over time. Attendees of the meeting yelled “Let her speak!” and “Shame!”

Matthew Compton talked about an incident that occurred with Officer Ibarra on February 18, stating, “Members of CSO along with the family of Noe Rodriguez were outside Santa Ana Police Department recording videos. Isaac Ibarra intentionally left the department where we were standing in an attempt to intimidate us.”

Compton continued, “Isaac elbowed both myself and another CSO member, then later shoulder-checked me and threw a fake punch at a different CSO member. Isaac is highly mentally unstable and should not be allowed on the force let alone carry lethal weapons.”

In response to more comments with concerns about officer Ibarra’s behavior, Mayor Valerie Amezcua, who receives campaign funding from the Santa Ana Police Officer’s Association, had this to say: “I had my husband watch that video with Officer Ibarra, and I felt really bad for him.” She continued with “I think he behaved in a manner where I was like wow. It’s a hard thing, he was walking to his car.”

Family members impacted by police violence were present, including Noe Rodriguez’s family and the family of Albert Arzola. He was only 19 years old when he was killed by Anaheim police officers on December 6, 2025.

Grace Arzola called out the council, stating: “Valerie and Phil, body language is everything. You guys are more concerned over a charter, and light poles not being fixed than you are with people losing their lives.” Arzola pointed out that the mayor wasn’t paying attention and was slouched over during public comments.

David Pulido, a CSO OC member mentioned “Luis Casillas killed two people within one month. Noe Rodriguez on December 1, 2024 and Henry Gonzalez Jr on January 1, 2025. Casillas was also involved in a brutal beating of a 15-year-old minor Mario Diaz. For all his crimes, SAPD has not fired Luis Casillas. Instead, they moved him from patrol to the crimes against persons division.”

Pulido concluded, “We demand Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired before they can kill again! If you do nothing, then the blood will be on your hands. The blood is on the hands of Police Chief Robert Rodriguez. The blood will be on your hands, City Manager Alvaro Nunez. The blood will be on any councilmembers who stand against accountability. That will be your legacy, and we will never let anyone forget that!” The audience applauded and cheered.

As the meeting ended, some council members, like Jonathan Hernandez, showed support for the firing of Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra. Others showed their disdain towards Santa Ana residents.

The family of Noe Rodriguez, along with CSO OC and residents of Santa Ana, have been fighting for over a year to seek justice for Noe Rodriguez. CSO members declared that they will not stop until Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra are fired and jailed for their crimes.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – Un gran mural que representa a Noe Rodríguez se encuentra ahora en el centro de Santa Ana. A unos 200 pies de distancia, Rodríguez fue asesinado por los agentes de policía de Santa Ana Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra el 1 de diciembre de 2024.

El pasado domingo, 22 de febrero, más de 25 residentes, entre ellos la esposa de Noé, Erika Armenta, y sus hijas, celebraron la vida de Noé. Junto con muchos otros familiares afectados, exigieron justicia por su muerte. Todos los oradores utilizaron el español, el idioma principal de Noé y muchos residentes de Santa Ana.

Abraham Quintana, de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), dijo, “Hoy nos reunimos aquí para conmemorar la vida de Noé en un mural que nos muestra a nosotros y al mundo quién era realmente, y no la imagen que nuestros enemigos han intentado pintar. Este mural ha sido posible gracias a meses de organización y presión popular, y especialmente Erika, quien ha luchado incansablemente por la justicia para Noé Rodríguez. Este mural es importante no solo como una victoria, sino como una señal de que nos encontramos en una nueva etapa de esta lucha.”

La siguiente en hablar fue Erika Armenta, esposa de Noé Rodríguez y miembro de CSO OC. Ella dijo, “Cada paso que damos, por pequeño que parezca, es un gran paso hacia un gran cambio para nuestra ciudad. Representamos a aquellos que no tienen voz ni voto, y a quienes la policía trata como criminales, ¡incluidos nosotros! Ha sido una lucha muy difícil porque nos tratan como si estuviéramos en contra de la seguridad pública.”

Armenta se refería a los ataques de la Asociación de Oficiales de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPOA), que ha difamado a CSO tachándola de “anti-seguridad pública” y difundiendo mentiras sobre sus miembros. La SAPOA gasta cientos de miles de dólares en apoyar a políticos como la alcaldesa Valerie Amezcua y los concejales Phil Bacerra y David Penaloza, y decenas de miles en apoyar a candidatos para desbancar a políticos progresistas del ayuntamiento. Armenta afirmó, “Han tratado de hacer imposible nuestra lucha, ¡pero nuestra fuerza para seguir adelante es más grande!”

Armenta concluyó diciendo, “Nuestra unidad como CSO ha creado una familia. Me siento muy feliz por mis hijas. Les pregunto, ‘¿Qué es CSO?'. Y ellas me contestan a mí que para ellas, es una familia. Porque, como una familia, nos apoyamos y nos ayudamos. ¡Y en este caso no importa que no llevamos la misma sangre, porque estamos en la misma lucha!”

Armenta también habló en nombre de la familia de Imanol González. Era un chicano de 19 años de Santa Ana que fue atropellado y asesinado por el sargento Carlos Coronel, agente de policía de Los Ángeles fuera de servicio y en estado de ebriedad, el 1 de febrero de 2025. Coronel huyó del lugar sin llamar a los servicios médicos ni alertar a la policía. La familia de Imanol, incluyendo su madre, Ariana Salvador, asistió a la inauguración del mural. CSO exige que el sargento Carlos Coronel sea procesado con todo el peso de la ley. Puede firmar una petición para apoyar estas demandas aquí.

La familia de Albert Arzola también acudió a mostrar su apoyo. Albert Arzola era un chicano de 19 años que fue asesinado por la policía de Anaheim el 6 de diciembre de 2025. Los agentes identificaron a Arzola, salieron de un auto sin identificación y lo persiguieron hasta el porche de su casa. Uno de los agentes disparó a Arzola por la espalda y lo mató, y la policía detuvo a su familia, incluyendo niños pequeños, durante horas mientras registraban su casa.

La madre de Albert Arzola, Rosie Camacho, dijo: “Estoy aquí para apoyar a todos los que también han sufrido la violencia policial. ¡No estamos solos! ¡Queremos justicia! ¡Y vamos a tener justicia!” Camacho continuó diciendo: “Quienes nos han hecho daño no deberían seguir trabajando para la ley, porque ya le quitaron la vida a mi hijo: Albert Arzola. ¡No nos vamos a callar!” La familia Arzola exige que se hagan públicas todas las imágenes de las cámaras corporales del incidente, el informe de la autopsia y los nombres de los agentes.

El mural de Noé Rodríguez fue terminado por los artistas José Ortiz y Esteban Ginez, quien estuvo presente en la inauguración. CSO entregó a Ginez un certificado de reconocimiento por su trabajo. El concejal de Santa Ana, Jonathan Hernández, ayudó a contratar a los artistas y a conseguir la ubicación del mural. En 2021, el primo de Hernández, Brandon López, fue perseguido por la policía de Anaheim y asesinado en Santa Ana. Hernández es blanco frecuente de Valerie Amezcua, Phil Bacerra y David Penaloza.

CSO cerró el evento con la música de Banda Cuisillos de Arturo Macías, la música favorita de Noé, mientras Erika Armenta servía el pozole que había preparado para los asistentes. El mural simboliza la dignidad de Noé Rodríguez y otras víctimas de la violencia policial. Se niega a permitir que la ciudad olvide lo que le sucedió hace más de un año a un chicano de 31 años, de clase trabajadora, un padre y esposo que luchaba por sobrevivir como muchos lo hacen en el suroeste.

El mural se encuentra a menos de una milla de donde otros chicanos fueron asesinados recientemente por la policía: Víctor López en 2026 y Miguel Chávez en 2022. Pero menos conocido es el linchamiento racista de Francisco Torres en 1892, a solo cinco minutos de distancia. El largo legado de violencia racista contra los chicanos refleja el otro significado del mural de Noé – la lucha por la liberación chicana continúa. Pero, como dijo Erika Armenta, “nuestra fuerza para seguir adelante es más grande”.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – El miércoles, 18 de febrero, Erika Armenta y otros miembros de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC) estaban celebrando una conferencia de prensa frente al Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD) cuando se les acercó el oficial Isaac Ibarra. Ibarra fue uno de los oficiales que disparó al desarmado Noé Rodríguez, de 31 años, el 1 de diciembre de 2024. Erika Armenta era la esposa de Noé. Los miembros de CSO OC siguieron a Ibarra para confrontarlo por sus crímenes.

David Pulido dijo, “¡Este es Isaac Ibarra! ¡Mató a un padre, un padre de 31 años, el 1 de diciembre de 2024! ¡Le disparó 11 veces! ¡Él y su compañero, Luis Casillas, que le disparó 18 veces! ¡Y no le gusta que lo estemos grabando y que lo hagamos responsable! ¡Maldito asesino! ¡Cómo te atreves!”

Isaac Ibarra giró de repente y se lanzó hacia los activistas. Cuando no respondieron, cambió de tono y dijo, “¡No caminen detrás de mí! Lo voy a tomar como una amenaza” y “no me toquen”, a pesar de que los activistas no lo estaban tocando y grabaron todo el incidente en video.

CSO OC exige que los oficiales responsables de la muerte de Noe sean despedidos, incluyendo Ibarra. Estaban en el Departamento debido a la información recopilada por una solicitud de la Ley de Registros Públicos. A través de esta solicitud, CSO reveló que Isaac Ibarra y Luis Casillas siguen trabajando y simplemente han sido trasladados a otras divisiones. Casillas ahora trabaja en la División de “Delitos contra las Personas” e Ibarra trabaja en la División de “Comando del Área Norte”.

Cuando Ibarra volvió a pasar junto a ellas, Erika Armenta abrazó con fuerza a sus hijas y dijo, “¡Que Dios te perdone: estas son las hijas a las que has dejado huérfanas!” y “¡Míralas bien! ¡Las has dejado sin padre! ¡Míralas!”.

Matthew Compton dijo: “¡Eres un maldito asesino! ¡Deberías responder por tus malditos crímenes!”

Isaac Ibarra llamó a la policía para denunciar a los activistas y mintió, alegando que lo habían empujado. Esta mentira queda desmentida por las imágenes de vídeo. De hecho, Ibarra empujó a los activistas tres veces. Cuando llegaron varios coches de patrulla, Ibarra hizo un último intento por provocar una pelea, acercándose a David Pulido a pocos centímetros de su cara y diciéndole “no estoy trabajo ahora”, en lo que parecía una amenaza.

Después del incidente, Erika Armenta habló por última vez frente a la estación de policía y declaró, “Soy miembro de CSO y estamos comprometidos con la lucha por la responsabilidad policial.” Armenta dijo, “Uno de los agentes que asesinó a mi esposo salió por la entrada principal y pasó junto a mí y mis dos hijas. Creo que fue a propósito. Porque este departamento tiene muchas salidas, no solo la entrada principal. Y ahora él nos conoce. Hemos acudido al Ayuntamiento para hablar y presentar nuestras demandas de justicia para mi esposo. ¡Exigimos una investigación independiente! Lo único que han hecho es trasladar a los agentes a otras partes del departamento. ¡Eso no es justicia!”

Armenta continuó, diciendo, “¡Esta lucha no termina aquí! Recientemente, la policía de Santa Ana mató a otro hombre. En un video lo vimos con las manos en alto, y la policía no ha publicado las imágenes de la cámara corporal. Pero cuando la policía arresta a personas con armas o cosas por el estilo, al día siguiente publican las imágenes, cuando les conviene.”

Armenta se refería al asesinato policial del 28 de enero de Víctor López, de 18 años, quien fue asesinado frente a su prometida y su hijo de un año en el estacionamiento de su apartamento. López se estaba entregando a la policía cuando fue asesinado. Su familia exige las imágenes completas de la cámara corporal del incidente.

CSO OC sigue exigiendo que los agentes Luis Casillas e Isaac Ibarra sean despedidos del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana y que el incidente sea investigado de forma independiente por la Comisión de Supervisión Policial de Santa Ana.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – A large mural depicting Noe Rodriguez now stands in downtown Santa Ana. About 200 feet away, Rodriguez was killed by Santa Ana Police officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra on December 1, 2024.

Last Sunday, February 22, over 25 residents, including Noe's wife Erika Armenta and their daughters, celebrated the man Noe was in life. They, alongside many other impacted family members, demanded justice for his death. All speakers used Spanish, the primary language spoken by Noe and by many residents of Santa Ana.

Abraham Quintana from Community Service Organization (CSO OC) said, “We are united here today to commemorate Noe’s life in a mural that shows us and the world who he really was, and not the image that our enemies have tried painting. This mural was made possible by months of grassroots organizing and pressure, and especially Erika herself, who has fought tirelessly for justice for Noe Rodriguez. This mural is important not just as a victory, but as a sign that we are in a new stage of that struggle.”

Next to speak was Erika Armenta, the wife of Noe Rodriguez and a member of CSO OC, “Every step that we take, small as it may seem, is a big step towards a great change for our city. We represent those who do not have a voice nor a vote, and who the police are treating as criminals – including us! It has been a very difficult struggle because they are treating us as if we are against public safety.”

Armenta was referring to attacks by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (SAPOA), which has smeared CSO as being “anti-public safety” while also spreading lies about its members. The SAPOA spends hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting politicians like Mayor Valerie Amezcua along with Councilmembers Phil Bacerra and David Penaloza, and tens of thousands supporting candidates to unseat progressive politicians on the city council. Armenta said, “They have tried to make our struggle impossible, but our strength to go forward is greater!”

Armenta concluded by saying, “Our unity as CSO has built a family. I feel very happy for my daughters: I asked them, ‘What is CSO?’ They told me that for them, it is a family. Because like a family, it supports us, it helps us. And it doesn’t matter that we’re not related by blood because we are in the same fight!”

Armenta also spoke on behalf of the family of Imanol Gonzalez. He was a 19-year-old Chicano from Santa Ana who was struck and killed by drunk, off-duty LAPD Sergeant Carlos Coronel on February 1, 2025. Coronel fled the scene without calling for medical help or alerting police. Imanol’s family, including his mother, Ariana Salvador, joined the mural unveiling. CSO demands that Sergeant Carlos Coronel be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. You can sign a petition to support these demands here.

The family of Albert Arzola also came to support. Albert Arzola was a 19-year-old Chicano who was killed by Anaheim PD on December 6, 2025. Officers profiled Arzola, leapt out of an unmarked car and chased him towards his front porch. One officer shot Arzola in the back and killed him, and police detained his family including small children for hours while they ransacked his home.

Albert Arzola’s mother, Rosie Camacho, said, “I am here to support everyone who has also suffered from police violence. We are not alone! We want justice! And we are going to have justice!” Camacho continued, saying “Whoever wronged us should not keep working for the law, because they already took the life of my son: Albert Arzola. We will not be silenced!” The Arzola family demands the release of all body camera footage from the incident, the release of the autopsy report, and the release of the officers’ names.

The mural of Noe Rodriguez was completed by artists Jose Ortiz and Esteban Ginez, who was present at the unveiling. CSO presented Ginez with a certificate of recognition for his work. Santa Ana City Councilmember Jonathan Hernandez helped commission the artists and secure the mural location. In 2021 Hernandez’s cousin, Brandon Lopez, was chased by Anaheim PD and killed in Santa Ana. Hernandez is a frequent target of Valerie Amezcua, Phil Bacerra and David Penaloza.

CSO closed the event with music by Banda Cuisillos de Arturo Macías, Noe’s favorite music, while Erika Armenta served pozole she prepared for the attendees. The mural symbolizes the dignity of Noe Rodriguez and other victims of police violence. It refuses to let the city forget what happened over one year ago to a 31-year-old working-class Chicano, a kind father and husband struggling to survive as many do in the Southwest.

The mural stands less than a mile from where other Chicanos were recently killed by police: Victor Lopez in 2026 and Miguel Chavez in 2022. But less well known is the racist lynching of Francisco Torres in 1892, only five minutes away. The long legacy of racist violence against Chicanos speaks to the other meaning of Noe’s mural – the struggle for Chicano Liberation continues. But as Erika Armenta said, “our strength to go forward is greater.”

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CSOOC #NoeRodriguez

Santa Ana, CA – On Wednesday February 18, Erika Armenta and other members of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) were holding a press conference outside Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) when they were approached by Officer Isaac Ibarra. Ibarra was one of the officers who shot unarmed 31-year-old Noe Rodriguez on December 1, 2024. Erika Armenta was Noe’s wife. CSO OC members followed Ibarra to confront him for his crimes.

David Pulido said, “This is Isaac Ibarra! He killed a father, a 31-year-old father on December 1, 2024! He shot him 11 times! He and his partner, Luis Casillas, who shot him 18 times! And he doesn’t like that we’re filming him and holding him accountable! You fucking killer! How dare you!”

Isaac Ibarra turned suddenly and lunged towards activists. When they didn’t respond, he changed his tune, saying “Don’t walk behind me! I’m taking that as a threat” and “don’t grab me” even though activists were not touching him and captured the whole incident on video.

CSO OC is demanding that the officers responsible for Noe's death be fired, including Ibarra. They were at the department due to information gathered from a Public Records Act request. Through this request, CSO revealed that Isaac Ibarra and Luis Casillas continue working and have simply been moved to other divisions. Casillas now works in the “Crimes Against Persons Division” and Ibarra works in the “North Area Command Division.”

When Ibarra passed them again, Erika Armenta clutched her daughters closely and said, “May God forgive you: these are the daughters that you made orphans!” and “Look at them closely! You left them without a father! Look at them!”

Matthew Compton said, “You’re a fucking killer dude! You should answer for your damn crimes!”

Isaac Ibarra called the police on activists and lied, claiming that activists pushed him. This lie is contradicted by video footage. In fact, Ibarra pushed activists three times. By the time several patrol cars arrived, Ibarra made one last attempt to provoke a fight, approaching David Pulido within inches of his face and saying that “I’m not at work right now” as an apparent threat.

After the incident Erika Armenta spoke one last time in front of the police station, stating, “I am a member of CSO and we are committed to the fight for police my husband left out accountability.”

Armenta said, “One of the officers who murdered is in the front entrance and passed by me and my two daughters. I believe it was on purpose. Because this department has many exits, not only this front entrance. And he knows us now. We have gone to the city council to speak and put forward our demands for justice for my husband. We are demanding an independent investigation! All they have done is moved the officers to other parts of the department. That is not justice!”

Armenta continued, saying, “This fight does not end here! Recently Santa Ana police killed another man. In a video we saw him with his hands up, and the police have not released the body camera footage. But when the police arrest people with weapons or things like that, the next day they release the footage, at their convenience.”

Armenta referred to the January 28 police killing of 18-year-old Victor Lopez, who was killed in front of his fiancé and one-year-old child in the parking lot of his apartment. Lopez was surrendering to police when he was killed. His family demands the full body camera footage from the incident.

CSO OC continues to demand that Officers Luis Casillas and Isaac Ibarra be fired from Santa Ana PD and that the incident be independently investigated by Santa Ana’s Police Oversight Commission.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #CSOOC

Santa Ana, CA – On January 24, nearly 100 community members from across Santa Ana gathered on the corner of Bristol and 1st Streets chanting “Killer ICE, off our streets!” The protesters demanded justice for Alex Pretti, the latest victim of killer federal agents terrorizing Minnesota. They also demanded ICE out of Orange County and an end to deportations across the country.

Diana Terreros of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) opened the event by stating, “We are here because a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti just this morning in Minnesota. Alex Pretti was a community ICE watcher and an ICU nurse. The agents that gunned him down in broad daylight shot him over ten times like cowards!”

Terreros added, “We are here in solidarity with Minnesota! We are also here because our own city has been under attack by ICE agents since Trump took office and this week they have been on a rampage in Santa Ana and Orange County as a whole! We want them out of our city, out of our county.”

Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) member Matthew Compton stated “In Santa Ana we have seen an increase in ICE raids and guns being drawn on ICE watchers. But when Santa Ana PD shows up, they point their weapons at the people who are fighting back against Trump’s agenda.”

“These killings, all this violence will not simply end! We must put a stop to it! We must organize ourselves and collectively fight back! This administration allows for this violence to happen and denies any sort of accountability. So we the people must demand it! We must fight for it,” urged Rain Mendoza of CSO’s Immigration Committee.

Thomas Crisp of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) stated, “When parents are taken from their children by masked thugs, when Keith Porter or Renee Good is shot for attempting to non-violently resist brutality, these are violations of human dignity.” They also called for a moment of silence while candles and flowers were laid out to honor victims of ICE agents.

Drivers honked in support throughout the event and while protesters marched down Bristol Street. Protesters took up all lanes of traffic and carried signs demanding ICE out of Santa Ana and justice for victims of ICE. Chants of “Chinga la migra!” and “Legalization for all!” echoed through adjacent neighborhoods.

The protest was organized by CSO OC with the support of other local groups including FRSO, CLUE, and more.

CSO fights for community control of the police and legalization for all the undocumented. They hold general meetings every third Thursday in Santa Ana and can be reached on Instagram @cso.oc or on Facebook, CSO Orange County.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CSOOC #FRSO