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

Nadia Topete, immigrants' rights activist in Los Angeles, refused to testify in front of a grand jury. Because of this, she could be arrested and held in jail for an unknown period of time. The CSFR calls on all supporters to, on Monday, June 8, call into the offices of the US Attorney Bilal Essayli and Assistant US Attorney Michael Wheat, to say, “Hands Off Nadia!”

While we don't know why Nadia Topete was subpoenaed, we know that she was part of the 2025 anti-ICE uprisings in LA. Grand juries result in indictments nine times out of ten and are tools of political repression. Refusing to testify is a heroic act that every person of conscience should look at as a model for what to do if you are ever summoned to a grand jury. She, like everyone else in that movement, did nothing wrong and should be able to walk free.

Call in on Monday, 6/8! Hands Off Nadia Topete!

When: June 8, Monday, from 9am to 5pm PDT

Who: call both

1. Bilal Essayli, US Attorney Central District Office Line @ (714) 338-3500, press 0

2. Assistant US Attorney Michael Wheat @ (619) 557-5610

Script:

“I am [NAME] calling from [STATE] and I demand that Nadia Topete not be arrested for refusing to testify in front of a grand jury. She did nothing wrong, committed no crime, and we will stand with her against any kind of repression. Hands Off Nadia Topete!”

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #NadiaTopete #Featured

Minneapolis, MN – Under the early summer sun, about 50 people came together on a busy Minneapolis bridge for a double-headed rally addressing the domestic and international sides of the struggle for liberation. A combined bannering took place for two hours, spreading the message to passersby and drivers on Washington Avenue and Interstate 35W.

The first part of the event was organized by the Wrongfully Incarcerated and Over-sentenced Family Council (WIAOFC) and marked 20 years since Cornelius “Corn” Jackson, fiancé of WIAOFC founder Alissa Washington, was unjustly incarcerated.

The second protest, organized by the MN Peace Action Coalition (MPAC), demanded an end to U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Washington, stated, “We want you to ask questions. We want you to ask why a man who has spent 20 years behind bars is still fighting for justice. We want you to ask whether Minnesota’s criminal legal system truly believes in redemption. And we want you to ask why so many families are still fighting to bring their loved ones home.”

The first speaker for MPAC was Amber Mathwig from About Face Veterans Against the War, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a cook, turning a wrench, patrolling the base, or pressing the button that launches a Tomahawk into a school full of children – every single job in the military contributes to the end goal of destruction and occupation and every single service member has a right to say ‘No, I do not want to be part of this anymore.’”

Cedar Larson, representing Women Against Military Madness, stated, “Today we are protesting a number of heinous crimes being committed by our government. We’re protesting not only Trump’s continuous attacks on Gaza, in violation of a so-called ceasefire, but we’re also protesting the continuing attacks on Iran and the attempted ethnic cleansing of Lebanon. Writing this speech, I felt a pent-up rage exploding. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, you guys. I am angry. I am tired of writing speeches about something that makes me so pissed off.”

Larson concluded, “I cannot make sense of the fact that billionaires, the ruling class, see nothing more important than a profit while I, an educator who lives paycheck to paycheck and purchases classroom supplies and end-of-year gifts out of her own pocket, see nothing more important than sustaining and educating the next generation who will no doubt recognize this absurdity for what it is and will join with us to destroy it!”

Naveen Borojerdi of the MN Peace Action Coalition and the MN Anti-War Committee spoke on another tragedy that occurred closer to home; the death of AFSCME Council 5 field director Khalid Abdi, a 26-year-old union organizer who was shot and killed on May 27 in Shakopee, Minnesota while observing Eid.

“Khalid’s death is not just a coincidence,” Borojerdi said, “but rather, the symptom of a much larger problem. The normalization of mass murder that we’ve seen in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001 is what resulted in his unfortunate death. When you spend over two decades since the turn of the century slaughtering Muslims, Arabs and Persians while demonizing them through the production of propaganda films like American Sniper, Argo, and Black Hawk Down, this is what you get. Shame on this country.”

All of the speakers spoke to the critical importance of remaining visible and in the streets to oppose this criminal war.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #AntiWarMovement #InjusticeSystem #PeoplesStruggles #Palestine #Iran

Salt Lake City, UT — On the afternoon of May 31, the Utah Anti-War Committee, along with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization held a workshop titled “Anti-War Organizing in the Face of Repression” at the University of Utah Union building. The workshop drew community members, students and organizers committed to defending the movement against escalating political repression. The event also raised funds for Rick Toledo, a student activist and educator who was fired from his teaching position at Cal Poly Humboldt University in retaliation for his participation in a pro-Palestine protest.

Before the workshop, the UAWC had released a statement on Toledo’s case, that stated, “We have watched with outrage and disgust as Cal Poly Humboldt University has escalated its campaign of repression against a graduate student whose only 'crime' was standing up for the individuals and families Palestine whose lives are being not only destroyed, but eradicated.”

Adrian Romero, a local organizer with the Utah Anti-War Committee, delivered a workshop presentation that covered knowing your rights when facing law enforcement and grand jury subpoenas, organizational security practices, and building campaigns to defend targeted organizers.

Romero stated, “Grand jury proceedings are designed to isolate and intimidate people. You still have rights. Go public, mobilize the community in any way that you can and show [the enemy] that you won't be silenced.”

After their presentation, Rick Toledo joined via Zoom to speak directly on his case and the circumstances of his firing. ”We know that when the state wants something, they'll do whatever they can get away with. They like to make an example out of student organizers and protesters to try and scare other people. That's one of the things really at the heart of my case – but you can't let them break you, because that's what they want.”

The event raised approximately $375 through admission donations as well as book, zine and apparel donations contributed by UAWC and FRSO, with pledges still coming in. All proceeds go directly to Toledo's legal defense fees and expenses.

The targeting of Rick Toledo is part of a broader wave of repression facing the movement for Palestinian liberation and the fight against U.S. imperialism. University administrations discipline and expel student organizers and fire faculty who speak out.

As the imperialist war in Gaza continues and the domestic crackdown on dissent escalates, the duty of every socialist and anti-war activist is to build the defenses necessary to protect our ranks and advance the struggle. The ruling class expects us to be silenced; our response must be louder, more organized, and more united than ever before.

#SaltLakeCityUT #UT #AntiWarMovement #UAWC #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression

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

On May 20, Nadia Topete was visited by two FBI agents and served a subpoena demanding that she testify in front of a grand jury on June 3. Even now, it is not known why she is being subpoenaed; all we know is that she is an immigrants rights activist and an outspoken political Chicana organizer. She refused to go and testify, the penalty to which can be prison time without a known end date. Topete is a hero who stood with the people and the movement at a potentially huge cost to herself and her freedom. We in the Committee to Stop FBI Repression say, “Hands Off!” and we will fight any attempt to jail her, tooth and nail.

Grand juries, nine times out of ten, result in indictments. They do not permit the person being questioned to be in the room with a lawyer, nor to present a defense of any kind, nor even any witnesses. There would have been nothing but Topete and the prosecutors interrogating her and looking for somebody to indict. The result of refusing to go is often jailtime without knowing when you would get out. She did the right, brave thing by saying no. Every activist reading this statement needs to learn from her example.

Topete did nothing wrong. Neither did the other members of the activist group she is in, Centro CSO in Los Angeles, who were charged by the federal government after their participation in the anti ICE uprising in Los Angeles in 2025, such as Alejandro Orellana whose charges were dropped. They did nothing wrong either. We view this as a political attack on activists in Los Angeles, and we say a loud, resounding “No!” to political repression. We say, “Hands Off Nadia Topete!” We will do whatever it takes to defend her, a true daughter of Aztlán.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #NadiaTopete #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #CSFR #Featured

Benton Harbor, MI – Community members are demanding the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department cut ties with ICE by ending participation in the federal 287(g) program.

The Berrien County Sheriff's Department is one of two agencies in Southwest Michigan that have opted into the program, which allows local police departments to partner with ICE in various capacities. Berrien County’s agreement with ICE stipulates that deputies can serve immigration warrants for those in the county jail and hold individuals for up to 48 hours until they are detained by ICE agents, typically from Grand Rapids.

Berrien County is located in Southwest Michigan and represents numerous towns, including Saint Joseph, Benton Harbor and Niles. Immigrant labor is vital to the region’s agricultural economy, with a third of the state’s migrant farmworkers employed in Southwest Michigan. The majority of these workers are concentrated in Berrien County and neighboring areas.

More than 60 people have been detained by ICE after being held in the Berrien County Jail since last year. The agreement was signed between ICE and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department in spring 2025, although a similar process has been operating in the county for over two decades.

A packed town hall was organized recently by We The People Michigan, in which residents spoke to county officials, urging the sheriff's department to end its partnership with ICE. Before the event, community members circulated a petition pushing the sheriff’s department to opt out of the agreement. Signatures in support were then presented to the officials present at the town hall.

An immigrant farmworker spoke during the event, saying they have worked in the fields for 18 years and that the county needs to end its participation in the 287(g) program.

#BentonHarborMI #MI #InJusticeSystem #ImmigrantRights

Jacksonville, FL – Dozens gathered at Marion Park on Saturday, May 30, for “Popular Education in the Park.” Marion Park, located in Jacksonville’s historic Northside, served as the backdrop for an evening of community dialogue and connection as well as the kickoff for the Jacksonville Community Action Committee’s annual participatory budgeting drive.

Hosted by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee, the gathering brought neighbors together for a circle discussion under the trees while children played nearby. Attendees shared food and conversation, with the evening’s programming centered on the People’s Budget, a JCAC initiative to reimagine public safety and measure the impact of community reinvestment.

A major focus of the discussion was mental health. Community members advocated strongly for redirecting portions of the city budget away from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and toward a dedicated mental health clinician program.

Committee members began preliminary discussions of proposing a mental health clinical response program modeled after the nationally recognized CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Oregon. Participants argued that such a program would provide a more effective, humane response to mental health crises than traditional policing.

The urgency of the conversation was underscored by data from a recent JCAC report analyzing police use of force across the city. The report found that police shootings are heavily concentrated in Northside neighborhoods like the one surrounding Marion Park, with Districts 4 and 5 accounting for 48 of the 126 serious use of force incidents examined since 2020. Black residents appear in the largest share of these incidents, despite representing a minority of Jacksonville’s overall population. Even more alarming, the report found that Jacksonville’s rate of police killings is more than double the national average.

“We’re not just talking about the statistics you read online. We’re talking about our cousins, our neighbors, our children,” said a longtime Northside resident who attended with his two children. “When 64% of Black people in this city are worried about police brutality, it highlights a problem and that number is simply a reaction to a pattern. And it’s happening right here, in our zip code.”

The discussion also turned to accountability. Attendees expressed frustration that Jacksonville remains one of the only cities in Florida without a civilian oversight body responsible for independently reviewing police use of force. This is an initiative that works in tandem with the participatory budgeting campaign to give residents a greater say in how they are policed and kept safe. According to the report, only 43% of residents believe misconduct investigations are adequately reported to the public, and Patrol Zone 5, which covers much of the Northside and has a 72% Black population, has reported some of the lowest approval ratings of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Popular Education in the Park is an ongoing series “created to truly meet folks where they are in Black and working-class communities,” according to the event program. JCAC will continue selecting parks in Jacksonville’s Black and working-class neighborhoods throughout the summer, canvassing and deepening community ties to further refine the People’s Budget with direct input from residents most affected by budgetary shifts and chronic disinvestment.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PeoplesStruggles #JCAC

Brooklyn, NY – Community members picketed the front entrance to the NYPD’s 71st Precinct, May 28, the third such recurring protest to demand Justice for the police murder of Eudes Pierre. The New York Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression (NYAARPR) organized this protest along with Pierre’s family to demand that the officers who murdered the 26-year-old Brooklyn resident be fired and charged with murder.

Eudes Pierre was a Haitian-American man who called 911 while having a mental health crisis on December 20, 2021. When officers arrived at the scene, they chose to escalate the situation rather than render aid, including following him home from the subway platform where he had placed the call. They then shot him numerous times steps away from the front door of his childhood home, killing him.

The NYPD’s disciplinary board, the CCRB, ultimately ruled that the officers acted within NYPD guidelines. Furthermore, New York’s Attorney General Letitia James declined to pursue any criminal charges against the officers. The outcome of Pierre’s case is all too common for victims and survivors of police brutality – the officers face no accountability or consequences, and families are given no modicum of justice for their loved ones.

“We are out here today at the 71st Precinct, just like we are on the last Thursday of every month, demanding justice for Eudes Pierre,” said Shivani Ishwar, the chair of NYAARPR.

They went on to highlight the NYPD’s role as a repressive and reactionary force within New York City. “We are also here showing up because we know every cop is guilty of upholding this racist and repressive system, and that’s why we’ll be out in Manhattan next week on June 4 protesting the New York City Police Foundation’s Charity Gala,” Ishwar continued.

The militant protest forced the 71st Precinct to barricade its front entrance, with chants of “NYPD kills on patrol! How do we stop them? Community control!” ringing out for blocks. Protesters also used cowbells and percussion instruments to create a noisy atmosphere, amplifying their message and attracting the attention of nearby residents, who shared their own stories of police brutality committed by officers of the precinct.

The New York Alliance and Pierre’s family said they’ll continue to picket the 71st Precinct on the last Thursday of every month in order to demand justice, honor Eudes Pierre’s memory, and advocate for community control of the NYPD.

#BrooklynNY #NY #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #NYAARPR #NAARPR

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following update from the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network regarding the sentencing of pro-Palestine Jax activist, Conor Cauley.

Conor Cauley was sentenced to 60 days with time served, 3 years of probation, court fines, 150 community service hours and a stay away order from the same officer, Officer Aliaga Ruiz, who threw him over a row of chairs!

We will reiterate what our beloved member Conor Cauley has repeatedly mentioned, this fight is for every single person in the city of Jacksonville, and this sentencing will not deter us. We know Palestinians experience torturous conditions in Zionist prisons, and we also acknowledge the decrepit nature and condition of the Duval County Jail.

From Palestine to Jacksonville, Zionists and imperialists will use the system as it’s designed; to break you down and destroy your spirit. But we know the power of the people is greater than the people in power!

Please visit and donate to Conor’s Gofundme and we will see folks later to protest at the Jail! Find the Gofundme here.

SHAME ON MELISSA NELSON!

SHAME ON JSO!

FREE CONOR CAULEY NOW!

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ConorCauley #JPSN #CSFR #AWAN

Jacksonville, FL – On May 29, Community members protested against the harsh sentencing of Conor Cauley and Leah Grady, vowing to continue the fight against their charges and demanding the release of Conor Cauley, who is currently being held in Duval County Jail as a political prisoner.

Despite heavy rainstorms, over 60 community members protested in front of the courthouse and, later, in front of the county jail under tents buckling and breaking from the weight of rainwater. This did not discourage attendees, who continued to chant and rally against the unjust treatment of anti-war organizers.

These protests were led by Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network alongside community organizations including Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, Brentwood 300, Democratic Socialists of America, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Cauley was sentenced to 60 days jail and three years of probation. He is additionally being ordered to stay more than 1000 feet from Officer Maykel Aliaga-Ruiz, the arresting officer who instigated the initial arrest last year by violently grabbing Cauley by the neck and throwing him over a row of chairs. This condition will, as Cauley’s lawyer pointed out in the courtroom, effectively ban him from city council meetings where Aliaga-Ruiz works, directly attacking his right to speak openly to his own elected officials and organize in the city.

Grady was sentenced to six months’ probation, 50 hours of community service, and court-ordered to write a “letter of apology” to the Republican City Council President Randy White.

Both sentences were heavier even than what had been recommended by the prosecutors. The prosecution requested three months’ probation and 25 hours community service for Leah Grady and requested 30 days of jail and one year of probation for Conor Cauley. In both instances, the judges either doubled or tripled the sentences. This comes after public calls by Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters for judges to make an example out of the arrested JPSN organizers in order to politically intimidate them.

This was also in spite of an overwhelming display of community support for both organizers. Over 40 character letters were submitted to the court for Conor Cauley, and high profile character witnesses spoke in Cauley’s favor, including the executive director of the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) Local 1408, Courtnee Staples.

“Who came out to defend Conor today?” asked a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization during the rally at the courthouse. “Teachers, neighbors, union workers, students and people from all walks of life in Jacksonville – in short, a microcosm of the entire community. The city could only wrangle up a handful of people to speak against Conor, and who did they pick? The director of city council and chief of police.”

Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network is committing to fight the verdicts of both Conor Cauley and Leah Grady, having developed a plan to fight their convictions through appeal for retrial. They will be rallying to demand Cauley’s release until he is out of jail.

“It’s because of this jail that, for the next 60 days, Conor will see no justice,” said Ryan Delaney of the Anti-War Action Network. “Well that means that we’re gonna be the reason that for the next 60 days, this jail will see no peace!”

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #AntiWarMovement #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #JPSN #AWAN #Palestine #ConorCauley #Featured

Seattle, WA – On May 25, George Floyd Day, a day for drawing attention to police brutality, the Seattle Alliance against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR) led a rally and march through the streets of South Seattle to demand justice for Christian Nelson and Jack Paleli.

In September 2025, Seattle’s federal consent decree was lifted after 13 years. The consent decree was an order placed on the Seattle Police Department in 2012 by the federal government to force them to report to and be reviewed by the federal government due to their excessive use of force and brutality. Not even three months after the decree was lifted, SPD had already killed two men. Those men were Christian Nelson and Jack Paleli. Both were suffering through mental health crises when they were killed.

The Seattle Alliance refused to ignore their murders and has been campaigning for justice for Christian Nelson and Jack Paleli since they were killed.

The march began near the Othello light rail station, where Christian Nelson was killed, and kicked off with speeches from allied organizations.

Elaine Simons, a member of the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability and the foster mother of Jesse Sarey, who was killed by former Auburn Police Officer Jeffrey Nelson, said, “They are killing our loved ones here in our state, and we have to remember that we need to be united.”

Though the rain was pouring, the energy was high. Just before the march officially got moving, SAARPR member Jonathan Toledo read a statement from Christian Nelson’s mother, Amanda, in which she said about her son, “My son promoted love. My son was a bridge to bring people together. My son is not the lies that have been portrayed; he is more than that.” Christian Nelson and Jack Paleli deserved to live.

Fueled by this injustice, the march kicked off and chanted all the way to the SPD South Precinct building. At the front of the march was a banner that read “Justice for Christian Nelson & Jack Paleli!” and passing cars honked their support. When the march reached the police building, it congregated in front as the last speeches were given.

The final speech was given by a SAARPR member who said, “As an immigrant, I was never surprised by how deeply repression runs in the U.S. But the level of repression and racist violence under the guise of safety that people experience here has shocked me to my core. So far this year, the police have killed 466 victims across the U.S., 14 of those here in Washington, and three of them here in Seattle. If our representatives and officials care, why are these officers not jailed? They should be held accountable.”

#SeattleWA #WA #ChristianNelson #JackPaleli #SAARPR #InjusticeSystem

Chicago, IL – Survivors of police torture, family members and supporters of Johnny Plummer packed a Cook County Courtroom on Tuesday, May 26 to witness the cross examination of the former Chicago Police Department detective who Plummer says beat him into confessing to a murder he had nothing to do with.

Plummer was 15 years old when detectives came to his house in the middle of the night to bring him in for questioning. Starting at 4 a.m., Plummer was held for two hours before being seen by detectives. Over 20 hours later, he signed a confession that was used to convict him for murder.

Plummer has been in prison for over 34 years and has maintained that he only signed the confession after being beaten by Detective Boudreau and another, Michael Kill, with fists and with a flashlight on his face and body.

In a previous trial regarding Plummer’s wrongful conviction, his lawyers had requested medical records from CPD showing that Johnny had been injured while held at Area 3. CPD responded by saying that no such records existed. Recently, those same medical records were recently sent to Plummer’s lawyers from CPD, apparently by accident, according to the lawyers.

Although the doctor who had examined Plummer and recorded the injuries is now deceased, the release of the medical records prompted the judge in Plummer’s case to allow for new evidentiary hearings to go forward. In addition to Tuesday’s hearing, the judge agreed to two more hearing dates in June.

Supporters watched as the detective, Kenneth Boudreau, was shown photos of the Area 3 Violent Crimes building that he led in the 1990s. The first of the photos depicted a holding cell called “the cage” with what appear to be Black mannequin heads with dreadlocks hanging from the wire fencing. Another photo showed two black hands in handcuffs with the phrase, “Another happy ending” written beneath them.

When Plummer’s attorney asked Boudreau if he ever objected to these props being displayed in his building, Boudreau said he never did. “In Chicago, cops have a term ‘head’ to describe suspects,” he said. “The doll heads could have been dark humor.”

Plummer’s brother, Coston Plummer, was present at the hearing and said he wants the world to know the extent of this corruption and injustice within CPD.

“They tortured so many Black and brown men for decades,” Plummer said. “This should go down as one of the darkest points in Chicago history.”

Boudreau was the head of Area 3 violent crimes in the 90s, where he worked under disgraced police commander Jon Burge to torture and wrongfully convict hundreds of Black men on the South Side of Chicago. In 2005, Boudreau, Burge and several other police detectives who worked under Burge all pled the 5th in a federal grand jury investigating claims of widespread police torture under Burge’s command.

“Boudreau has 75 people who don’t even know each other saying the exact same story about the way they were tortured by him,” Coston Plummer said. “And now he’s enjoying his life and getting a pension. I think that’s unjust.”

Leaders of the Campaign to Free Incarcerated Survivors of Police Torture (CFIST), held a rally outside the courthouse after the proceedings, demanding freedom for Plummer and all survivors of police torture, and that Boudreau, Kill, and all the complicit CPD detectives and states attorneys be held accountable for their crimes.

“We are in a system where justice is always delayed,” said Jasmine Smith, a co-chair of CFIST, which is a campaign of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR). “But we are going to continue to fight until justice will no longer be denied for any of our survivors.”

Every step of the way since he was 15, the system has failed him,” Coston Plummer said. “They can never make it whole, but they can acknowledge what has happened and let him and countless others go.”

Coston and Johnny Plummer lost their mother, Jeanette Plummer, earlier this month. Jeanette Plummer fought for her son’s freedom since he was kidnapped nearly 35 years ago. In the past ten years, she has also been active in the movement to stop police crimes and pass legislation to create an all-elected civilian police-accountability body.

In her final days, their mother was still fighting to free Johnny, Coston Plummer said. “Johnny had called her and she was dying, trying to lift up her arms to grab the phone and speak words,” he said. “She died fighting for her son and believing in her son.”

#ChicagoIL #IL #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #CAARPR #JohnnyPlummer #PoliceAccountability

Milwaukee, WI – On the evening of May 25, a few dozen community members in Milwaukee gathered to pay tribute to the 6th anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police. The vigil was organized by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

During 2020, thousands in Milwaukee took to the streets to demand justice for George Floyd and an end to police crimes. In 2026, the community is still coming out in his name to demand an end to police crimes.

Solidarity with the Floyd family is strong in Milwaukee and, unfortunately, the city has its own history of police murders. In the summer of 2024, Sam Sharpe Jr. was murdered by the Columbus, Ohio police department, who were in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.

Sharpe Jr.’s sister, Angelique Sharpe, the Milwaukee Alliance’s Education Chair, spoke at the rally and said, “I’m here really to join in solidarity. My brother wasn’t the first killed by those sworn to serve and protect and he won’t be the last.” Sharpe emphasized over and over that the community will continue to fight until there is justice for all victims of police crimes.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #GeorgeFloyd #PoliceAccountability #InjusticeSystem #NAARPR #MilwaukeeAlliance #Featured

Dallas, Texas- On May 25, the 6th anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, organizers in Dallas held a memorial vigil and rally to honor Floyd’s memory and all victims of police violence. The action was organized by the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression-Dallas.

Dozens of Dallas residents crowded around a vigil table at Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and listened to speeches from Black Alliance for Peace, Revolutionary Front, and the organizers of the event, NAARPR-Dallas.

NAARPR-Dallas called this action not only to remember the life and unjust killing of George Floyd, but to acknowledge the resistance that bloomed from his passing and to draw attention to the need for such a resistance again.

Xavier Velasquez, chair of NAARPR-Dallas, spoke at the action saying, “It has been six years since the murder of George Floyd and the great rebellion of the people that followed. We saw a huge outpouring of protest to achieve justice for his murder. For a lot of us it feels like nothing really changed, and in large part it hasn't.”

Attention was also drawn to the impending closure of the Police Accountability Board by the city council, and how this presents a prime opportunity for the residents of Dallas to organize around a campaign to affect real change and create a system of community control:

“Now that the Dallas city council is actively trying to shut down its own accountability board, we have a huge opportunity now to try to put our own version of Chicago's ECPS ordinance onto the floor of Dallas City Council.”

Between the speeches, organizers led the crowd in passionate chants calling for “Community control now!” “Jail all killer cops!” and “Power to the people!”

After the action was over, space was given for people to come to the altar and make prayers or give offerings in remembrance of George Floyd and the George Floyd Rebellion.

#DallasTX #TX #GeorgeFloyd #NAARPRDallas #NAARPR #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities

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

Los Angeles, CA – On the morning of Wednesday, May 20, Nadia Topete, a Chicana organizer with Centro Community Service Organization (CSO), was served with a subpoena to appear June 3 in front of a grand jury.

The subpoena was signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G Wheat. Nadia Topete did nothing wrong and this is an attack on the immigrant rights movement and on Centro CSO.

In June of 2025, Centro CSO member Alejandro Orellana was raided by the FBI, National Guard and East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. A week later, Verita Topete, the sister of Nadia Topete, was ambushed by FBI Agents and her phone was seized. The agents had a search warrant but have yet to give her phone back.

Due to a nationwide defense campaign, charges against Alejandro Orellana were dropped, Verita Topete was not charged, and Centro CSO assumed the FBI witch hunt was over. Almost a year later, Topete is now being targeted by the United States. She is being ordered to appear at the Orange County Federal Courthouse.

Carlos Montes, a longtime Centro CSO leader and Chicano activist, stated, “Nadia is actively advocating for our community, this federal subpoena is just an intimidating tactic by the Trump government.”

Centro CSO is committed to fighting back against this act of political repression and its members will not be intimidated.

Follow @CentroCSO on social media for any updates.

#LosAngelesCA #PoliticalRepression #InJusticeSystem #GrandJury #CentroCSO #Featured

Jacksonville, FL- A broad coalition, led by Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN), rallied outside Duval County Jail on May 20 to condemn the guilty verdict against local organizer Conor Cauley, who now faces up to five years in prison.

A crowd of over 50 people mobilized within an hour of the verdict. Cauley, who was originally facing ten years with two felony charges, had one felony for resisting violence dropped after a year-long grassroots campaign against the district attorney Melissa Nelson. He is now in jail awaiting sentencing.

Hundreds of people from Jacksonville and across the country called and emailed State Attorney Melissa Nelson, calling on her to drop these trumped-up charges. But, as highlighted in a statement by JPSN, “Melissa Nelson proved to the people that her allegiance is not to them, it's to a corrupt Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and city council that have publicly called for the state to make an example out of us in hopes that they can stop our movement.”

The rally called out the backward political slant of the trial, and the unjust rulings by the judge. Among them were the judge's refusal to allow the political nature of the arrest to be discussed in trial, banning the keffiyeh from the courtroom, not allowing Cauley's lawyer to question arresting Officer Aliaga's history of harassment complaints, and not allowing political repression to be described to the jury.

The judge elected to revoke Cauley's bond upon the guilty verdict, remanding him to police custody. This comes after public pressure on the judge by Sheriff T.K. Waters and multiple Trump-aligned city council members to make an example of Cauley.

“They think they are gods!” shouted Maceo George, president of the Central Labor Council as he spoke to the crowd. “We have to send a message to city council that they won't be in office if they don't support the people!”

The rally was composed of community members, labor leaders, and organizers from JPSN, Jacksonville Community Action Committee, Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance, Democratic Socialists of America, Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), AFL-CIO's Central Labor Council, and Students for a Democratic Society.

“Here are our demands: Free Conor, no jail time, protesting is not a crime! We want Conor back home with us,” declared María García-Gerardo of FRSO. JPSN and the coalition in attendance have committed to continue the campaign, shifting now from one demanding the state drop the charges to a “Free Conor Cauley” campaign. Cauley is set to appear in court on Tuesday, May 26 for the setting of the sentencing date.

#JacksonvilleFL #FL #JPSN #Palestine #PoliticalRepression #ConorCauley #InjusticeSystem

Oakland, CA – On May 12, around 20 Oakland city workers, activists and community members mobilized to City Hall in support of civilians taking over the 38 administrative jobs currently occupied by the Oakland Police Department (OPD).

The push to attend the city council’s finance committee and to make public comment was called for by the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 21, a union representing hundreds of city workers. While workers experience staffing vacancies and budget cuts, OPD overspent up to $33 million a year for the past six years on overtime, with 6% of its force behind desks. The union demands change as the city enters contract negotiations with the Oakland Police Officers’ Association.

“The single biggest overtime expense was half a million dollars for one individual for crash reports, something that should be civilianized,” remarked Kevin Dally, an Oakland resident.

“Oakland should not be discussing cuts to services until you have replaced officers in administrative jobs with regular city staff,” said Romaine Charite, a member of the Oakland Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. “These are issues that the police union does not want you to act on. Please start listening to Oaklanders, like me, instead of the police union.”

Eliot Goodrich, a transportation planner and member of IFPTE Local 21, spoke on the 23-year-old federal consent decree over OPD after a scandal involving racist police gangs kidnapping, beating and falsely arresting Black and brown residents, stating, “Of the 38 positions identified, 22 are in Internal Affairs. OPD is still under federal oversight, the Negotiated Settlement Agreement is a legally binding agreement with the city, made to 119 Oaklanders who had their civil rights violated.”

Anne Jenks, with the Coalition for Police Accountability, said, “The city council failed for a year to follow up after instructing the city administrator to begin the process of moving investigations from OPD Internal Affairs to the independent Community Review Police Agency. The administrator did nothing until the deadline approached.”

The Community Review Police Agency is the investigative arm of the Oakland Police Commission, which is named one of the strongest civilian police oversight boards in the country and was voted in by Oaklanders to get OPD under control.

#OaklandCA #CA #PoliceAccountability #InjusticeSystem #PeoplesStruggles #OppressedNationalities

Washington, D.C. – On Sunday, May 17, community members, organizers and faith leaders gathered at Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast Washington, DC for the Washington Interfaith Network’s (WIN) Candidate Forum ahead of the upcoming mayoral, city council and congressional primary elections this June.

The forum was an opportunity for DC’s most oppressed communities to make their demands to potential local elected leaders. Families Not Feds, a coalition of organizations working to end local collaboration with federal agents in DC, was invited to speak at the event and bring forward their proposal to the potential candidates.

Reverend Rachel Cornwell of Dumbarton Methodist Church and WIN set the stage, saying, “At the center of this 2026 issue agenda is a belief that a healthy city is one where all residents are valued, invested in, and have opportunities to grow.”

Cornwell continued, “Today we are bringing our work to the candidates, who are interviewing to represent us as DC residents.” The city-based candidates for DC were then invited to the stage to listen to community members’ policy priorities.

A leading organizer with Families Not Feds and Movimiento Migrante DC stated, “When rumors began of ICE and federal agents arriving in DC, I told myself this could not happen here in DC, because we’re a sanctuary, because our leaders are pro-immigrant.” She continued, “Yet, for nearly a year I have seen my friends, my neighbors, disappear right in front of me. I had an immigrant mother faint in my arms as her son was abducted by federal agents.”

Washington DC has been under attack by the reactionary forces in the White House that have been overexerting their powers into local communities who have been here long before — and will be here long after — the Trump administration is gone from the White House. A large part of these attacks comes in the form of racist police terror, with Homeland Security, FBI, U.S. Marshalls and other federal agencies openly collaborating with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to brutalize Black and brown residents.

This has led to the shooting of three Black community members, the murder of Julian Bailey, and the ICE kidnappings of almost 20,000 people in the DC region since the second Trump administration has been in office.

Families Not Feds Coalition was formed because the organizers were ready to fight back against these attacks. The capitulation of local politicians, like current Mayor Muriel Bowser, to the racist Trump agenda has been a blow to Black, brown, working-class Washingtonians who have no political representation in Congress.

On stage, the organizer from FNF and MMDC added, “When our executive leader failed to defend our community and instead easily disposed of us by attacking our Sanctuary Values Act and vetoing the FAAR [Full Accountability in Arrest Reporting] Act, we fought back and we won!”

The organizer then turned to ask the candidates her question: “Will you help lead the effort to pass permanent legislation to end the collaboration between MPD and federal agents?” All candidates on the stage said yes.

Other community speakers demanded affordable housing, an end to the racist youth curfew in DC and overpolicing of Black and brown communities, job opportunities for returning citizens and an overall commitment to invest in the working people of DC and not the corporate interests that have been stripping people of their needs like housing, healthcare and education.

Candidates present at the forum included Janeese Lewis-George, a frontrunner in DC’s mayoral race, and DC council at-large candidates Greg Jackson, Dyana Forester, Leniqua’dominique Jenkins, and others. Notably absent was Lewis-George’s competitor, Kenyan McDuffie, who is known to be backed by mega corporate donors like the real estate lobby. He is endorsed by DC’s current mayor, Muriel Bowser, who facilitated the Trump agenda at every turn.

The community members at the forum made it clear that they are ready for new leadership who will stand with their communities against the Trump administration. The organizer from Families Not Feds said, “DC is ready for change, and we are ready for a leader to fight with us and to lead us.”

For nearly a year, Families Not Feds has led the fight against this racist collaboration in Washington DC. The coalition is committed to holding the hopefuls for elected office accountable to the promises they made at the event. Their next steps are to pass permanent legislation to hold MPD and federal agents accountable for the terror they are inflicting on our communities.

Follow @dcaarpr, @_movimientodc, and @familiesnotfedscoalition to stay up to date on the campaign and DC mayoral race!

#WashingtonDC #DC #PeoplesStruggles #InjusticeSystem

Santa Ana, CA – En la mañana del 29 de abril, gritos de “¡Fuera Kingsley!” resonaron afuera de la sala donde se reunía la División de Estabilización de Alquileres (RSD, por sus siglas en inglés). Los residentes del parque de casas móviles Coach Royal, junto con miembros de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario del Condado de Orange (CSO OC), tuvieron una conferencia de prensa antes de una audiencia con la RSD. Desde hace años, los residentes han sufrido abusos y acoso por parte de Kingsley Management Corporation, los propietarios del parque.

Kingsley ha tomado represalias, mediante desalojos injustos, contra aquellos residentes que se alzan en contra de su abuso de poder. La RSD tenía programado escuchar 18 peticiones relacionadas con estos desalojos injustos.

“¡Si gana Kingsley, pierden los inmigrantes!”, gritó Karla Alvarado, antes de dar inicio al evento con un emotivo testimonio. “He sido residente durante 28 años y fui desalojada; no por mala conducta ni por deber renta, sino porque quieren demostrarnos que se nos castiga por alzar la voz”.

Alvarado exigió justicia para todos los residentes que han sido desalojados mediante tácticas coercitivas y engañosas, declarando, “¡Queremos justicia en nuestra ciudad; nuestra gente está sufriendo! Kingsley les entrega a los residentes que hablan español documentos en inglés y, además, los presiona para que firmen bajo coacción. ¡Esto tiene que parar!”

Guadalupe Barragán, residente y activista de larga trayectoria en la defensa de los derechos de los inquilinos, tomó el micrófono para expresar sus demandas. “Lo que queremos hacer esta mañana es pedirles, nuevamente, pedirles al gobierno de la ciudad que nos ayuden, ya que hemos sido acosados, amenazados, abusados, robados, inclusive habido muertes en el parque de Kingsley. ¡Queremos que los funcionarios de la ciudad de Santa Ana nos ayuden a sacar a la corporación Kingsley!”.

El residente Julián Orozco compartió su experiencia con las tácticas de intimidación de Kingsley: “Se suponía que iba a recibir el título de mi casa después de cumplir el contrato y enviarles un giro postal de $300. Una semana después me dijeron que había sido un error e intentaron hacer un contrato adicional por otros tres o cuatro años. Querían que lo firmara para que pagara más. Rob McDonald (personal de Kingsley) se presentó en mi casa queriendo intimidarme para que firmara los papeles”.

Un miembro de CSO OC cerró la conferencia de prensa exigiendo la salida de Kingsley y solicitando la ayuda de los funcionarios gubernamentales para detener este abuso sistemático. Exigió justicia para Maria Pedraza, una ex residente de Coach Royal que se quitó la vida a consecuencia de los abusos sufridos a manos de Kingsley.

Mientras los residentes entraban al edificio para dar comienzo a la audiencia, los miembros de CSO OC continuaron gritando, “¡Fuera Kingsley! ¡Si gana Kingsley, el pueblo pierde!”.

Una vez dentro, el abogado de Kingsley, Ariel Badell, solicitó que se retirara de la sala los simpatizantes de los residentes, incluidos miembros de CSO OC, CHISPA, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (C.L.U.E.) y Tenants United Anaheim (TUA). Dos funcionarios municipales se pusieron del lado de Kingsley. Tras la oposición de los simpatizantes, quienes citaron la Ordenanza de Estabilización de Alquileres, se determinó que los testigos tenían el derecho legal de estar presentes en la sala, por lo que permanecieron sentados.

Mientras se desarrollaba esta situación, llegaron vehículos del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional a la entrada del edificio. Se desconoce quién realizó la llamada, pero tanto los residentes como sus simpatizantes consideraron que se trataba de una táctica de intimidación, dado que muchos de los residentes son inmigrantes.

Al dar comienzo la audiencia, no ofrecieron servicios de interpretación a los peticionarios, a pesar de que muchos de los residentes eran hablantes monolingües de español. Los simpatizantes presentes solicitaron a los funcionarios municipales que facilitaran servicios de interpretación. El equipo legal de Kingsley se negó a proporcionar servicios de interpretación para su equipo, argumentando, Badell declaró que “legalmente no están obligados a ofrecer servicios de interpretación”. Los simpatizantes continuaron abogando por los peticionarios y exigieron que se les brindaran servicios de interpretación hasta que los funcionarios de la ciudad finalmente aceptaron.

Más tarde, cuando un concejal y una reportera intentaron observar la audiencia, el equipo de Badell intentó expulsar al funcionario y a los medios de comunicación. Ella amenazó con demandar a la ciudad por su participación y afirmó que la audiencia se estaba “convirtiendo en un circo”. Después de revisar las políticas y procedimientos de la audiencia de peticiones, los funcionarios municipales determinaron que, en efecto, la reportera y el funcionario electo tenían permitido estar presentes en la audiencia.

En general, los funcionarios de la ciudad de Santa Ana permitieron inicialmente que el equipo de Kingsley Management Corporation intentara impedir que los peticionarios ejercieran sus derechos durante la audiencia, como el acceso a servicios de interpretación, la presencia de testigos y el ingreso de observadores a la sala de audiencias.

La ciudad de Santa Ana se mantiene cómplice de las prácticas abusivas de Kingsley Management Corporation de atropellar las audiencias y las negociaciones de acuerdos de los residentes de Coach Royal. Solo se escucharon ocho de las 18 peticiones presentadas. Los residentes de Coach Royal recibirán el veredicto de sus audiencias en 30 días.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #Housing #PeoplesStruggles

Charleston, SC – On Wednesday, May 13, organizers with the Lowcountry Action Committee (LAC), a South Carolina branch of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR), gathered in support of members of the family of Walter Scott against the early release of former North Charleston Police Department Michael Slager.

In 2016, Slager pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations and was sentenced to 20 years in prison; this was after a South Carolina grand jury indicted him on a state murder charge, which ended in a mistrial. For many who have lost loved ones to police brutality, the outcome of the federal trial felt like a rare instance of justice.

Yet, nearly ten years after the sentencing, the Scott family says they recently received news from the Department of Justice (DOJ), that Slager’s sentence has been reduced through the First Step Act (FSA), a federal law aimed at reforming federal sentencing laws and lowering the federal inmate population. It allows eligible inmates to earn time credits for early release.

Inmates convicted of murder are typically ineligible for early release under FSA, but because Slager was charged with a federal civil rights offense – deprivation of a person’s rights under color of law as protected by the constitution – not murder, it appears he has been quietly shaving time off his sentence since 2020.

LAC co-founder Erica Veal, who has been working closely with the Scotts since 2025, said, “This is a clear misuse of prison reform law to allow a killer cop to skirt responsibility.” She went on to say, “The Lowcountry Action Committee and the National Alliance will push back every step of the way against Slager’s release. This is not justice and the Scotts deserve better.”

Since Walter Scott’s murder, his brothers Anthony and Rodney have become a voice for victims of police brutality. Anthony attended his first NAARPR Conference in Chicago, Illinois in November 2025 along with his wife Denise, who spoke on behalf of the family during the plenary session for Families of the Movement. Little did they know that, in April 2026, while planning the eleven-year Angelversary for Walter, they would receive news of the changes to Slager’s sentencing. Devastated by the news, the Scott family called on local organizers to help launch a campaign against Slager’s release.

At the press conference, Rodney said, “This news is deeply disturbing to our family, considering the pain and senseless killing made to our brother.” He went on to say, “We are standing here at the Four Corners of Law [a Charleston landmark] today demanding that justice be served and upheld for my brother Walter Scott.”

LAC member Matt Colburn said, “This is clear evidence of a two-tier justice system. Trust and believe, if the roles had been reversed, Walter Scott wouldn't be eligible for early release.”

LAC and NAARPR plan to launch a coordinated call-in to the Bureau of Prisons to demand the rescission of Slager’s early release. In the meantime, the Scott family is asking for the community to support their campaign by signing a petition and sending impact statements to the DOJ.

#CharlestonSC #SC #InJusticeSystem