Laredo, TX – Alec Martinez refused to be questioned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at his home in Laredo, Texas on June 8, 2020. Martinez, like tens of thousands of Chicano youth, is active in mass marches opposing police killings and in solidarity with the George Floyd uprising in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Three FBI agents approached Alec’s home speaking in Spanish, but only identified themselves when Alec asked his relative who was outside.

A video shows the lead FBI agent handing Alec his badge saying, “There’s no problems. We just want to talk to you, concerning you know, I know you’ve been pretty busy so, but again there’s no problems.” The FBI agent waves to the other men present, “They are also with the FBI, do you have a few minutes?”

Alec replies, “I’m happy not to speak to you guys. I would like to speak to an attorney before communicating with you all.”

The lead FBI agent says, “Alright, no problem.”

The second FBI agent jumps in, “There’s no issues, I guarantee there’s no problems with you. At all! That’s fine if you don’t want to speak.”

Then third FBI agent takes his turn, “There isn’t any sort of criminal investigation. Just so you know there is no reason for you to be looking for an attorney. We are not looking at you in that sense.”

Martinez, “Well that’s great to hear. Bye-bye”

“No good can come from speaking to the FBI”

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression wants to remind friends and comrades, “No good can come from speaking to the FBI.”

Alec Martinez did the right thing by refusing to speak, instead offering to have an attorney present. The FBI agents were taken off guard because Alec Martinez was prepared for them. The FBI agents all made backhanded threats, before exiting quickly.

Don’t be intimidated. Do the right thing. Confirm your name and address, give a lawyer’s phone number, but don’t speak to the FBI. If you are caught lying to the FBI it can be a five-year prison sentence. One case was prominent in the news recently.

Trump unleashing repression

Right now, the FBI under President Trump is stepping up political repression and attempting to intimidate leaders, new and old. The FBI is the political police in a vast system of repression. That system is in crisis as millions across the U.S. stand up against police crimes and killings of African American, Chicano and other people.

The FBI exists to repress our freedom of assembly and free speech. They act as the “thought police” in a society facing the biggest rebellion since the late 1960s. Today’s FBI is more diverse, more polite, and dressed in business casual, but their business is still racist and political repression. Don’t speak to the FBI.

Click to see the video of Martinez rejecting the FBI. For more information about the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, visit https://stopfbi.org/

#LaredoTX #PoliceBrutality #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #Texas

Laredo, TX – On May 30, 200 mostly working-class protesters took to the streets and in front of their city hall to unite in solidarity with Black sisters, brothers and comrades around the U.S. The event was called for and led by Red Wing and was part of the National Day of Protest call made by the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR).

The event began with a Fred Hampton chant, “I am! I am! A revolutionary! A revolutionary!” Continuing with the spirit of Hampton, Red Wing activists explained the importance of the Black revolutionary.

Dozens marched and chanted to demand justice and accountability from local governments and law enforcement that have seen nothing but budget increases. Some of the chants included, “Black lives matter!” and “Whose streets? Our streets!”

Armed Chicanos guarded the oppressed nationalities who were protesting. A sign nearby them explained, “Why are we armed? Last August a fascist drove over 600 miles from Dallas to El Paso to kill brown people. Specifically, 20 people died and many more were injured. Far-right counter-protesters have been known to become violent. We arm ourselves because we believe in our right to self-defense.”

Further south along the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley, another group in Edinburg also mobilized in front of city hall. The Edinburg event had over 100 protesters.

The Rio Grande Valley and Laredo are home to a strong Border Patrol and ICE presence. Residents in the area live in a constant class divide and undocumented people have their humanity held over their head.

Organizers will be back in action to keep the pressure on the government to meet demands for more funding. South Texans are organizing and preparing to keep each other safe during the escalating struggle.

#LaredoTX #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #BlackLivesMatter