Los Angeles, CA – In the span of 12 days during the summer of 2016, LAPD Officer Eden Medina killed two unarmed Chicanos in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights. On July 28, 2016, Medina shot Omar Gonzalez twice in the back after multiple officers had tackled the 36-year-old father of two and held him face down. The LAPD immediately allowed Medina and his partner Alejandro Higareda to continue working in Boyle Heights. Then, on August 9, Medina shot 14-year-old Jesse Romero as he was surrendering with his hands in the air and starting to kneel. In both cases, District Attorney Jackie Lacey cleared Medina and the families lost their civil suits against the City of Los Angeles. LAPD merely transferred Medina to a different division.

On Sunday, August 9, the four-year anniversary of Romero’s death, the families of Jesse Romero and Omar Gonzalez along with Centro CSO held a vigil at the site where Eden Medina murdered Romero. Romero’s father and Gonzalez’s sons spoke about the pain that Medina, the LAPD, and DA Jackie Lacey have caused and the need to keep fighting for justice. Seven other families who have lost loved ones to police in different parts of Los Angeles and Southern California came out in solidarity. Attendees blocked off Breed Street off Chavez Avenue to show that Los Angeles belongs to the people, not the police who terrorize them.

German, Jesse Romero’s father, opened the vigil by giving a speech in Spanish about his son’s murder and how protesters must unify. Almost every Wednesday he attends the Black Lives Matter-LA protest outside of the Hall of Justice to demand that DA Jackie Lacey resign. Pointing to a poster of Eden Medina, German said, “They think because they have badges, they have the right to kill. But, no, nobody has the right to kill anybody. We have to stay united, protest and demand justice for all. It’s not a game. If we don’t protest, if we don’t come together, they’re going to treat us like garbage.”

Next, Omar Gonzalez’s sons spoke, thanking those in attendance for their support. “We have been going through this for four years and we are still yet to get justice for our dad, Jesse Romero, and all the other victims of police brutality,” said Miguel Gonzalez. “We had to grow up with a big part of us taken away from us.”

Following these words from Jesse Romero’s and Omar Gonzalez’s families, relatives of other victims of police brutality – Alex Flores, Anthony Vargas, César Rodríguez, Christopher Alexander Okamoto, Daniel Hernández, David Sullivan and Paul Rea – took turns on the megaphone. The families described how police had killed their sons, brothers, fathers and nephews and also informed attendees of upcoming actions and memorials.

Sol Marquez of Centro CSO concluded the vigil with an update on how the city council of Minneapolis has, predictably, backtracked on plans to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department. She called for community control of the police, so that the people have the power to decide the future of police departments.

Centro CSO continues to organize with families in Boyle Heights and East LA who were victims of police brutality and to fight against the privatization of education.

Visit and contact CSO at the following 323-943-2030, Centrocso@gmail.com, or @CentroCSO on social media.

#LosAngelesCA #PeoplesStruggles #ChicanoLatino #PoliceBrutality #JesseRomero #OmarGonzalez

Los Angeles, CA – In an outrageous decision, the jury sided with two-time killer and Los Angeles Police Department officer Eden Medina. The civil rights violations trial on 14-year-old Jesse Romero's killing started November 13 and lasted only six days. Early in the preceding, a judge ruled to exclude key evidence from the proceedings.

Killed on August 9, 2016 Jesse Romero was visiting his friends at the apartment complex in Boyle Heights. Someone inside of the apartment complex called 911 saying Romero and another teen were potentially smoking marijuana and graffitiing. LAPD officers Eden Medina and backup partner Alejandro Higareda bought the call and snuck up on Romero.

“No, I didn’t see him committing a crime when we got there,” said Officer Medina during the trial. But that didn’t stop him from killing Romero.

In 2016, news of multiple killings by LAPD in Boyle Heights were on the rise. These killings included the murder of young Chicano Omar Gonzalez – who Medina had also killed just 12 days before Romero’s killing. Knowing the historic role cops have played in killing Chicanos, Latinos, and Blacks, Romero ran for his life. The pursuit ended with what an eyewitness and Boyle Heights resident verified as a cold-blooded killing.

The trial

Fighting back tears, Norma Gonzalez, an eyewitness to the killing, said, “It was a complete surrender by the kid, with his hands up in the air. They shot him twice and I was yelling, ‘Why did you kill him!’ They didn't have to kill him.”

The jury didn't seem to care about this witness’ statement, even though she was the only witness to take the stand who saw the actual shooting.

Represented by his cop union, LAPD officer Eden Medina was equipped with an all-white legal team. Jesse Romero's family was represented by Chicano Attorney Humberto Guizar and a great, mostly oppressed nationality legal team.

Lawyers representing LAPD officer Eden Medina presented the case as the necessary killing of a typical gangster, looking to ambush two cops. “He refused to follow commands. Even using profanity didn't stop him,” said a Medina attorney.

They did everything possible to make the jury lose sympathy for Romero, even arguing that 14-year old Romero had the build of an adult male. LAPD officers Medina and Higareda are both larger in build, height, and were much older than Romero. Boyle Heights has a 35% obesity rate due to poverty and inadequate access to recreational sites. However, Medina’s deposition acknowledged that he knew Romero was between the ages of 13-16.

LAPD expert witness Ed Flosi testified that when using deadly force, a cop must have, “Reverence for life, all life.” A stealth nod to the “All Lives Matter” phrase used by racists.

Medina’s lawyers used a disgusting baseball analogy for R omero’s killing and trial. Saying, “Let's think of it like you're at a baseball game. And you're mad at the umpire because of the call he made. Now suppose the umpire dies and now you as the jurors become the umpires. You now must be fair and make the calls. The people sitting here supporting Romero's family are like the fans supporting their favorite team.”

After closing statements, Medina’s attorneys argued to Judge Dolly Gee that Romero’s parents were inadequate parents and should not be awarded a cent by the city of Los Angeles. Judge Gee denied the request.

After only a few hours, the jury returned to announce they were unanimous in deciding against Romero’s family. U.S. Marshalls were called to secure the courtroom upon the reading of the verdict.

Present throughout the trial were other mothers who had also lost their children at the hands of police or sheriffs. Taking every moment of the trial personally, including the decision, these mothers gave Romero’s parents utmost support.

Upon exiting the final day of the verdict, a group of Romero supporters chanted, “Say his name! Jesse Romero!” to which no security guard at the federal courthouse dared challenge.

Next steps

Centro CSO, with allies like Black Lives Matter, held daily protests outside the U.S. courthouse before entering to observe the trial.

Humberto Guizar, the Romero family attorney, will file an appeal asking for a new trial. The basis for the appeal is the court did not allow the entering of evidence on the prior killing of Omar Gonzalez by Eden Medina 12 days earlier.

Centro CSO and other families will continue to demand justice by demanding District Attorney Jackie Lacey prosecute killer cops and by continuing the struggle, protesting in the streets and in the courts.

During closing statements Attorney Guizar surmised, “When a dead boy is not here to speak, we rely on the living and what they witnessed. The law is good but only to these killers because it gives the LAPD the privilege to defend themselves when killing our kids.”

Sol Márquez is a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Centro CSO, and a fighter for Chicano liberation.

#LosAngelesCA #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #CentroCSO #LAPD #JesseRomero #EdenMedina

Los Angeles, CA – The civil trial by Jesse Romero's parents against LAPD officer Eden Medina and the City of Los Angeles started at the U.S. Courthouse on November 13. After five days of dramatic testimony and police video recordings, as of mid-day November 19, the jury has reported they are not agreeing yet on a decision. It appears the jury is split and the judge has asked them to continue deliberating.

Jesse Romero was 14 years old when LAPD officer Eden Medina shot and killed him. This happened on August 9, 2016, at a very busy intersection in Boyle Heights. Testimony during the trial included an eye-witness who saw Romero surrendering with his hands up, as Officer Medina shot him twice. Officer Medina killed two young Chicanos within two weeks, Romero being his second victim.

The eight-member jury began deliberations into Friday evening, and returned today, Monday, November 19. Around 11:30 this morning, the jury stated they were not unanimous on a decision. As of now the jury has returned to deliberations in the hopes that a unanimous decision is made. If there is not a unanimous decision, a mistrial or hung jury may occur.

Sol Márquez is a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Centro CSO, and a fighter for Chicano liberation.

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #LAPD #Antiracism #JesseRomero

Los Angeles, CA – Two years after the LAPD killing of 14-year-old student Jesse Romero, the Boyle Heights community united to demand “Justice for Jesse.” About 50 people gathered at the intersection of Breed Street and César E. Chávez Boulevard, the site where Romero was killed, to hold a vigil and protest. Throughout the day, a national call-in day was held to demand L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey jail and prosecute killer cops.

On August 9, 2016, during rush hour, LAPD officer Eden Medina and another cop chased Jesse Romero from an apartment complex after an alleged graffiti tip. Medina chased Romero through César E. Chávez Boulevard for less than a block and, upon nearing the corner of Breed Street, shot him. Cars and pedestrians breezed by since it was the middle of rush hour.

Three witnesses say that Jesse was shot and killed while unarmed. Body cam footage was recently obtained by the Romero’s lawyer, Humber Guizar, in which Medina is observed beating his chest out of pride that he killed another person. Only 12 days earlier, Medina had shot and killed another Chicano young man named Omar Gonzalez. The footage from Romero’s killing showed that no first aid was ever administered or even called upon; and LAPD officers forcefully flipped Romero’s lifeless body onto the cement face down, and then handcuffed him.

The vigil was organized by Centro CSO (Community Service Organization), which has led the fight against the nine LAPD killings in Boyle Heights since 2016. Centro CSO has united families and community to demand jail for killer cops. Among those gathered were Jesse’s parents Teresa Dominguez, Jose Romero, their lawyer Humberto Guizar, Black Lives Matter-L.A., Latino Equality Alliance, March & Rally Los Angeles, Catholic Worker, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Also joining the event were other families who lost loved ones to killer cops and sheriffs, including the families of Jose Mendez, Edwin Rodriguez, Eric River, Johnny Anderson, Cesar Rodriguez and Christian Escobedo.

During the event lawyer Huizar said, “I grew up in the streets. I too was a gang member and I was shot. Let me tell you that it’s extremely painful to be shot. Listening to testimonies today from other parents who have also lost their children in similar ways as Jesse, and hearing that Edwin Rodriguez was shot 19 times is shameful. 19! If that isn’t a massacre, I don’t know what else to call it.”

Chants led by Centro CSO member Emily Hubbard included, “What do we want? Justice! For who? Jesse Romero! When do we want it? Now!” and “Say his name! Jesse Romero!”

Speaking on behalf of Freedom Road Socialist Organization Sol Marquez said, “These police killings are not isolated cases. We should regard them as extensions of national oppression against Chicanos and our Black sisters and brothers. We must unite in denouncing these killings, demand jailing of killer cops, but also freedom against this oppression. We need a revolution and it won’t happen unless we’re tired of being treated this way.”

A pre-trial hearing rally will be organized by Centro CSO around October. Organizers ask that you stay connected with them through centrocso@gmail.com or by calling or texting 323-943-2030.

#LosAngelesCA #CentroCSO #JesseRomero

Los Angeles, CA – A press conference was held in Boyle Heights, May 29, to release the body camera footage from two LAPD officers involved in the killing of 14-year-old Jesse Romero, a student at Mendez High School. The killing occurred on August 9, 2016. Romero’s parents, Teresa Dominguez and Jesus Romero, their lawyer Humberto Guizar, members of Centro CSO, Romero’s high school classmates, teachers and other families of loved ones killed by police were also present.

“We are releasing the videos because the city hasn’t done a thing about this,” said lawyer Humberto Guizar. “LAPD, after they killed Jesse, said he was a 25-year-old man. He was clearly underage, and they knew it. But to say the killing was nothing but a thug with a gun, the initial coverage would immediately dismiss any sympathy from the public. Even after the media corrected the original messaging, the damage had been done. Well it’s time people knew that Jesse’s killer LAPD officer Eden Medina gave Jesse no chance to live. In addition Medina had killed Omar Gonzalez only 12 days before killing Jesse. The two killings are eerily similar.”

Officer Eden Medina is known as “The Terminator” in the community of Boyle Heights due to his history of harassing, brutality, false arrests and record of killing young Chicano men.

The footage is short, but quickly shows the situation escalate. The killing occurred in broad daylight, sent the two LAPD officers and Jesse Romero running from an apartment building, to the busy street of Chavez Boulevard. It shows officer Eden Medina, gun already drawn, chase Romero, slow around a corner, shoot multiple times, and then advance at Romero while ordering him to, “Stop moving, get down! Get down,” a typical tactic to portray the victim as not cooperating.

Contradicting initial reports that Medina feared for his life, the videos clearly show Medina confident as he killed Romero. Medina gives chase to Romero, stops to peek around a corner and fires multiple shots, then yells at the already dying 14-year-old to “Get down, stop moving.” Romero is bleeding to death, on his back. The officers’ cameras show his legs shaking while clinging to life. No medical aid is administered, no calls for an ambulance are made. A gun is seen across a tall metal fence about 15 feet away and far from Romero’s reach. A witness approaches waving to show that Jesse was unarmed and had earlier thrown an old rusty gun over a tall metal fence. Romero bled to death in front of the unfazed officers who asked the unharmed Medina, “Are you okay?” Medina then pounds his chest with his fist as if to congratulate himself like a sports player and replies, “Yeah.” The footage also shows officers slam, face-down, Romero’s lifeless body on the cement sidewalk as they handcuff him.

“Why handcuff him and slam his poor, dead body?” asked Guizar. “He’s already dead!”

Romero’s mother, overcome with rage and emotion, was unable to say much more than, “I want justice for my son.”

Carlos Montes, a member of Centro CSO said, “CSO has been fighting to win justice for Jesse since we contacted the family about this unjustified and terrible killing. We will continue fighting united with the family to win the justice that Jesse deserves.” Centro CSO will fight to fire and prosecute killer cop Eden Medina.

Plans are to continue pressuring LAPD to fire and jail killer cop Eden Medina, and to release the video footage from the killing of Omar Gonzalez. Medina is a trigger-happy killer, on the prowl to kill more Chicano and Black youth. As Medina is still on the job, the group is releasing his image in the hopes that the public will remember who he is. If anyone has had an encounter with Medina, you are urged to contact Centro CSO.

The family has filed a lawsuit in federal court, and will continue to expose the lies and hypocrisy of the LAPD – lies that include the false version of Deputy Chief Arcos, who spoke at the LAPD official press conference defending the Medina killing of Jesse Romero. Arcos wants to now be chief of LAPD and is one of three who may be appointed after Chief Charlie Beck retires. Centro CSO will continue to say, “No to LAPD lies and cover-ups, and no to Arcos as chief of LAPD.”

Centro CSO will be updating the public on the continued efforts. Join CSO meetings every 3rd Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at Benjamin Franklin Library. If you wish to follow the case, stay connected here: twitter.com/CentroCSO facebook.com/CentroCSO call CSO at 323-943-2030 or email CentroCSO@gmail.com

#LosAngelesCA #LosAngelesCACA #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Antiracism #policeKillings #JesseRomero

Los Angeles, CA – Eight months after the LAPD killing of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez – the 16-year-old killed by LAPD, and four other police killings of young Chicanos in Boyle Heights, an Oct. 6 call-in day action was organized by Centro CSO.

“It felt good to call DA Jackie Lacey’s office today,” says Juan Mendez father of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez. “The secretary answered in Spanish, so I was able to fully communicate that I was not only calling to demand justice for all families’ victims of LAPD and Sheriff killings, but especially for my son who was killed this year, Feb. 6.”

The call-in action demanded Lacey use her power as District Attorney to investigate and prosecute killer cops in Los Angeles, including Boyle Heights and East LA.; complete investigations of the LAPD killing of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez killed on Feb. 6; Jesse Romero killed on Aug. 9; the East LA Sheriff killing of Edwin Rodriguez on Feb. 14, and Arturo Y Torrez, killed by the LAPD on April 10.

Estela Rodriguez called the DA early in the morning demanding justice for her son Edwin Rodriguez. She stated “I will not stop until we win justice for my son Edwin.”

Jesse Romero’s family and friends discussed how when they called to leave their message for DA Jackie Lacey the person answering was serious and respectful.

“When I made my call,” says Josefina Mendez mother of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez, “I was able to let the secretary know that I was the mother of ‘Peruzzi’, and I wanted justice. I’m sure taking messages for DA Jackie Lacey are heavier when they come from the parents of the children killed by LAPD.”

Centro CSO plans to follow up with a protest demanding for justice from DA Jackie Lacey. It is time LAPD be held accountable for the crimes against Boyle Heights Chicanos.

“It's time that these criminal cops pay for the distress their actions have caused the families of these kids. They may think they're untouchable, but there is a storm coming,” says Alex Orellana, a Chicano member of Centro CSO. “More and more cops are starting to be persecuted for these shootings, and many more will come. We will keep fighting until all these murderers are off our streets and behind bars.”

Centro CSO invites all to attend their monthly meetings. The next one is happening on Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Benjamin Franklin Library in Boyle Heights. RSVP via Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/180049552399787

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #CentroCSO #BoyleHeights #Antiracism #California #LA #JesseRomero

Los Angeles, CA – In front of media cameras and surrounded by family and supporters, Teresa Dominguez, the mother of Jesse Romero, demanded justice for her son. The Oct. 6 press conference announced the filing of a government claim against the City of Los Angeles and the LAPD for the killing of Romero. Lawyer Humberto Guizar pointed out that recently released videos contradict the police version of the killing. He blasted the LAPD for lying, saying that were was no way the police version can be truthful.

Jesse Romero, 14 years old, was killed by officers of the LAPD Hollenbeck station on Aug. 9 under the pretext that he was writing on a wall. After chasing him, the cops falsely claimed that he pointed a gun and that they had to shoot to kill him. Videos released by LA Weekly, Democracy Now and others shown on social media contradict the LAPD version of the shooting. The videos show Jesse down on a side walk bleeding and dying and the alleged gun far way on other side of a metal wrought iron fence. A witness states that Jesse ran and threw away the old gun over the fence and was shot and killed moments later. The mother is demanding justice for Jesse Romero, and this claim is the initial step toward a formal lawsuit.

Four other young men have been killed in Boyle Heights by LAPD since Feb. 6 and one other by ELA sheriffs.

Chicano activist Carlos Montes, of Centro CSO, introduced the speakers, who included Black Lives Matter member Michael Williams, who expressed solidarity and called for the firing of Chief Beck. Josefina Rizo, the mother of Jose Mendez, 16 years old and killed by LAPD Feb. 6, expressed support for Teresa Dominguez and called for justice for all the families and prosecution of the LAPD.

Sol Marquez, representing Centro CSO spoke about many other police killings of young Chicanos and the demand to District Attorney Jackie Lacey to prosecute the killer cops. She pointed out that Centro CSO and the families organized a call in day to D.A. Lacey demanding that she prosecutes the police.

Damian Ramirez with Young Survivors spoke about the epidemic of killings nationwide of Black and Brown youth across the U.S. and the need to unite to stop police killings. Also present was Obdulio Olivas father of Carlos, 19, killed by LA sheriffs in East LA in 2013 and Blanca Valdez, whose son Arturo was killed by LAPD in April in Boyle Heights.

Jesse Romero attended local schools in Boyle heights. He graduated from 2nd Street School, attended Hollenbeck Middle School, and Mendez High School. Jesse is the latest police killing of Chicano youth in Boyle Heights.

Also present and supporting the event were Maria Banda, whose son was shot 14 times by LAPD in Boyle Heights and sent to jail for 15 years; Black Lives Matter LA; Centro CSO; Young Survivors-Carmelo Castaneda, and students from ELAC Mecha.

Centro CSO invites everyone to attend their upcoming meeting on Oct. 19, at 6:30 at the Benjamin Franklin Library in Boyle Heights.

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #BoyleHeights #Antiracism #California #LA #JesseRomero

Los Angeles, CA – Protesters continue demanding justice for 14-year-old Jesse Romero. Romero was shot and killed by LAPD the evening of Aug. 9. Protesters rallied on Wednesday night, Aug. 10, at the site of his murder. On Saturday, Aug. 15, protesters lined up at the steps of the LAPD Hollenbeck Police Station in Boyle Heights. The family of Jesse Romero, with Centro CSO (Community Service Organization), is demanding a stop to the police killings of young Chicanos in the neighborhood and justice for Jesse Romero. Romero is the fifth person killed by LAPD this year in Boyle Heights.

The cops are covering up and lying about the shooting. A video posted on Democracy Now on Aug. 12 after the shooting of Jesse Romero, shows an old revolver gun on the opposite side of a metal fence where Romero fell and police are standing. This gives validity to one witness who says Romero threw the old gun away over the fence and later was shot while unarmed. LAPD claims witnesses say Romero shot at police. According to the video, the old gun may have gone off when it fell on the other side of the fence on the concrete. This supports other witnesses that say Romero did not shoot the gun toward police.

Protesters began arriving at noon. Friends and family members of Jesse Romero showed up waving signs in front of the police station. They stood behind a banner that read, “Justice 4 Jesse; Stop police killings.” They began chanting “Asesinos! Asesinos, mentirosos, mentirosos, assesinos and liars!”

As more families showed up, the crowd moved to the steps of the police station. Romero’s family was joined by the families of other victims of police violence. The family of LAPD murder victim Jose Mendez showed up in full force. Holding a banner that read, “Justice for Jose Mendez; stop killing our youth” they also demanded justice for Jesse Romero. Family members of many victims came and spoke to the crowd.

Estela Rodriguez spoke about her son’s murder by East LA Sheriffs on Feb. 14. “My son’s body was left on the street by East Los Angeles Sheriffs at 4 a.m. Feb. 14 until 5 p.m. the next day. These officers aren’t pigs or dogs; we get more use out of these animals than we can from them.”

On April 10, Arturo Torrez was shot and killed by LAPD in Boyle Heights. His mother, Blanca Duenas, spoke to the crowd. “When I asked LAPD if they had the whereabouts of my son, they said, ‘No.’ They also denied they had killed him, and that his body had been in the morgue for over four days.”

On Feb. 6, the LAPD shot and killed Jose Mendez. His mother, Josefina Mendez, speaking to the crowd, said, “It pains me to see that my 16-year-old son is in an urn. I am supporting all of these mothers today because we should not be alone during these times.”

Maria Banda also spoke of her son, Ricardo Pellazco, who was 18 years old when he was shot many times in Boyle Heights by LAPD but survived and was sent to prison.

Fred Hampton Jr., of the Black Panther Party Cubs spoke, as well. He is the son of former Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton, who was murdered by police in 1969. Fred Hampton Jr. said “Let’s call it what it is, police terrorism! This is not a war on crime, on guns; this is a war against the people.”

Centro CSO is continuing its efforts in organizing for justice for all the Chicano and Boyle Heights victims of LAPD killings. They invite all residents to the Liberation Day Chicano Moratorium Program event happening on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Church. Parents of Chicanos killed by LAPD will be speaking, as well as invited guests from the original Chicano Moratorium, and Black Lives Matter-LA. For more information, reach out to Centro CSO here: centrocso@gmail.com Event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1748286802096015/

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Antiracism #JesseRomero

Los Ángeles, CA – La noche del 10 de agosto, cientos de personas se reunieron en el corazón de la comunidad de Boyle Heights, entre Breed St. y Cesar Chavez Ave, para exigir que se haga justica por el asesinato de Jesse Romero, el joven de apenas 14 años de edad que fue abatido a tiros la noche anterior por la policía de Los Ángeles (LAPD por sus siglas en ingles). El incidente ocurrió luego de que el LAPD detuviera al joven por hacer grafiti. Jesse Romero es la quinta persona y el segundo menor, asesinado este año por el LAPD en Boyle Heights; el LAPD ya lleva 12 asesinatos en la ciudad de Los Ángeles en tan solo este año.

La familia de Romero organizó una vigilia para recordar a su hijo. La familia solicitó la ayuda de la Organización de Servicios Comunitario (CSO por sus siglas en ingles) para incorporarse y ayudar a organizar el movimiento de justicia —el Centro CSO está organizando la lucha contra los asesinatos policiales en Boyle Heights. Cientos de vecinos y simpatizantes participaron en la vigilia, al igual que los familiares de las víctimas de abusos policiales, quienes también hicieron presencia para apoyar a la familia Romero.

Mientras la comunidad se reunía, la presencia de los policías que paseaban para observar la protesta, intensificó la indignación del pueblo. La multitud respondió con gritos de “¡Asesinos!” ¡Asesinos!”. La ira colectiva se acentuó más aun, al ver un helicóptero policial volando por encima de la protesta. El pueblo continúo exclamando, “¡El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” y “¿Que queremos?, ¡Justicia! ¿Para quién? ¡Jesse!

El 14 de febrero del 2016, Edwin Rodriguez también fue asesinado por el Departamento de Sheriffs del condado de Los Ángeles. Su madre, Estela Rodriguez ha continuado luchando para que se haga justicia por su hijo, y al unirse a la protesta dijo “no puedo quedarme sentada en mi casa ahogada en dolor esperando que se haga justicia. He decidido unirme a la familia de Jesse Romero para exigir justicia, y que estos asesinatos no vuelvan a ocurrir. Tenemos un deber como madres y padres de siempre luchar por nuestros hijos y esta lucha a veces tiene que ocurrir en las calles”.

La familia del joven de 16 años, José Mendez, también se unió a la familia de Jesse Romero. El señor Juan Mendez dijo “yo trabajo en un restaurante, y cuando hay una queja yo sé con quién debo hablar, ¿pero con cual supervisor debe uno hablar cuando el LAPD asesina a uno de nuestros hijos? Mi hijo Juan Peruzzi solo tenía 16 años cuando el 6 de febrero del 2016 la policía de los Ángeles le disparó y lo mató. Ahora, el LAPD mata a un niño de tan solo 14 años y como padre me pregunto si mi hijo de 9 años está en peligro. Ningún padre debe temer perder a un hijo en manos de la policía”.

Norma Espinoza, la tía de Jesse Romero, agradeció el respaldo y apoyo que la comunidad le ha dado a su familia. Acompañándola, estuvo la señora Blanca Duenas, madre de Arturo Torrez, quien fue asesinado por el LAPD en abril de este año. La madre de otra víctima, la señora Maria Banda, también compartió la historia de cómo su hijo fue tiroteado por el LAPD hace dos años, y como luego de su milagrosa recuperación fue encarcelado.

“Será solo la unión de la clase trabajadora con los Afroamericanos y los Chicanos lo que nos llevará a la liberación y acabará con los asesinatos policiales”, dijo Carlos Montes, activista Chicano revolucionario de larga trayectoria. Agregando que “necesitamos un movimiento revolucionario que desmantele al LAPD. Demandamos y exigimos que se haga justicia por estas familias que hoy sufren. ¡Ni una muerte más en manos de los policías asesinos!”.

Mientras la multitud se dispersaba, las personas empezaron a colocar velas encendidas en el lugar de los hechos, para conmemorar la vida de Jesse Romero. La familia de Jesse Romero y el Centro CSO hicieron un llamado para una protesta y manifestación frente a la estación policial Hollenbeck, en Boyle Heights, para el sábado 13 de agosto al medio día. La lucha de los Latinos y Chicanos contra la violencia policial continua.

#LosÁngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #LosAngeles #Antiracism #JesseRomero

Los Angeles, CA – On the evening of Aug. 10, hundreds gathered in the heart of Boyle Heights at Breed Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue, demanding justice for Jesse Romero. 14-year-old Jesse Romero was gunned down by LAPD on evening of Aug. 9. The LAPD initiated the incident due to graffiti. Jesse Romero was the fifth person, and second child, murdered by LAPD in Boyle Heights this year. He was the 12th person this year in Los Angeles to be murdered by LAPD.

The family of Romero called for a vigil to support their son. The family asked Centro CSO (Community Service Organization) to join them and help organize for justice. CSO is organizing against police killings in Boyle Heights. Hundreds of neighbors and supporters came to the site. The families of other police abuse victims also joined with the family of Jesse Romero.

As people showed up, the anger intensified. LAPD continued to drive by to scope out the protesters. The crowd angrily chanted, “Asesinos! Asesinos!” at them. Anger grew as a police helicopter hovered overhead. The crowd kept chanting, “El pueblo unido, jamas sera vencido!” and “What do we want? Justice! For who? Jesse!”

On Feb. 14, 2016 Edwin Rodriguez was shot to death by LA Sheriffs. His mother Estela Rodriguez has continued to fight for her son and joined the protest. “I can’t sit at home drowning in my pain waiting for justice to happen,” Estela Rodriguez says. “I decided to join with the Jesse Romero family in demanding justice because these killings have to stop. We have a duty as mothers, as parents, to always fight for our children, and this fight sometimes has to happen in the streets.”

The family of 16-year-old Jose Mendez also joined the family of Jesse Romero. “I work in restaurants, and when there’s a complaint you know who you should talk to,” says Juan Mendez. “But what supervisor do you speak to when you want the LAPD to be held responsible for the killing of our children? My son Juan ‘Peruzzi’ Mendez was only 16 when he was shot and killed by LAPD on Feb. 6, 2016, but now LAPD shoots a 14-year-old. As a parent I am now wondering, is my 9-year-old at risk? No parent should fear losing their child at the hands of police.”

Norma Espinoza, Jesse Romero’s aunt, thanked the crowd for uniting with her family. She was also joined by Blanca Duenas, mother of Arturo Torrez. Torrez was murdered by LAPD in April. In addition Maria Banda told the story of her son who was shot by LAPD two years ago. After recovering from the police gunshots he was thrown in jail.

“The working class uniting with Blacks and Chicanos will be the one leading us to liberation and end police killings,” said Carlos Montes longtime Chicano revolutionary. “We need a revolutionary movement that will bring LAPD down to their knees. We demand justice now for these families, not one more death at the hands of killer cops.”

As people began to leave, the crowd lit candles in remembrance of Jesse Romero. They were placed at the site of his murder. The family of Jesse Romero and Centro CSO has called for a protest rally at the LAPD Hollenbeck police station in Boyle Heights on Saturday, Aug. 13, at noon. The struggle of Latinos and Chicanos against police violence continues.

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