Los Angeles, CA – On the morning of April 20, the movement against police crimes in Los Angeles won a major victory as a judge ruled that Joseph Perez’s civil case against the City of Los Angeles would proceed. Dozens – mainly Chicanos, African Americans and even Koreans who have experienced police violence and are on the ground in Los Angeles fighting back – packed the Stanley Mosk Courthouse to demand justice for Joseph Perez.

In 2020, Joseph Perez was brutally beaten by sheriff deputy gang members using the name “Indians” and who operated out of the City of Industry Sheriff's Station. A deputy gang is made up of police officers who participate in beatings, planting of evidence, and even extrajudicial executions. The deputy gangsters identify each other with a deputy gang tattoo, which they earn by committing crimes in the furtherance of their gang. Some deputy gangs like the “Banditos” out of the East Los Angeles sheriff’s substation and the “Executioners” out of Compton substation are known nationally and even internationally for their crimes. The Industry Indians are well known to those who they terrorize but are one of the newer deputy gangs.

LA County wanted this civil case to be dismissed but Vanessa Perez, the mother of Joseph Perez, and their supporters struck a blow to the county. The judge ruled that the case will move on to trial in September of 2027, a big win and what Vanessa Perez wanted.

Fight Back! interviewed Vanessa Perez on the courthouse steps immediately after the ruling.

Fight Back!: We’re outside the courthouse with Vanessa Perez, can you let us know what happened today?

Vanessa Perez: The judge went ahead and agreed that we will move forward to the next step and we’re coming back to court for Joseph. The next step we’re going to end up getting is the discovery and we will find out what they did to Joseph.

Fight Back!: What you want is that that Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department be put on trial for what they did to Joseph?

Perez: Yes, pretty much. We want the truth.

Fight Back!: What does justice look like to you?

Perez: What we asked the judge today is to allow the case to move forward so that we can understand better what happened to Joseph. Joseph is a person of brown skin with development issues and mental health issues. He is the exact kind of person who is statistically more likely to experience police violence in his lifetime. The justice system should be flexible with people like Joseph so these cases can be heard and the police can be held accountable for abusing vulnerable people like my son. Today we are fighting for Joseph so something might go differently for others like him, so that the next mother who calls 911 seeking help for their child in crisis doesn't have to be afraid that something terrible will happen like what they did to Joseph. We will continue to fight in and out of this courtroom until we see that world become a reality.

Fight Back!: Is there anything else you would want to add?

Perez: We have been trying our best to get justice for Joseph Perez but the system is not built for people like him. Instead of getting physical and mental healthcare that he needed, he spent two years incarcerated for the beating that was done to him while these deputy gang members are beating other kids out here.

Deputy Shawn Merrick and Deputy Adam Nelson are both confirmed Industry Indians deputy gang members. Together with their trainees Jake Adamo and Sabastian Pombal, they beat Joseph Perez. They also beat young teens outside of a Montclair bowling alley where the deputies were arrested and Merrick and Nelson admitted to being part of a deputy gang. These four deputies were later fired. Vincent Rodriguez, Paul Saldana and Abraham Rivera are other deputies who beat Joseph Perez and are still on duty.

Centro CSO – a community organization that fights back against police crimes in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles – has supported Vanessa Perez in her fight for justice. In December of 2025, they made history together by having the first protest outside of the Industry Sheriff’s Station. To stay updated with this fight for justice, follow @JusticeforJosephPerez and @CentroCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #JosephPerez #InjusticeSystem #OppressedNationalities #KillerCop #LASD #CentroCSO #CSO

Los Angeles, CA – In the early morning hours of April 1, East Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed 29-year-old Erik Torres while he was going through a mental health crisis. Although Torres was unarmed and needed help, deputies murdered him.

Local media outlets incorrectly reported that an exchange of gunfire occurred between Torres and deputies, resulting in an hours-long standoff. However, this initial report that Torres was armed, and that an exchange of gunfire occurred with deputies has been proven false.

The case is now being investigated by the California Department of Justice and Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant under California Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), which requires the department to investigate, “all incidents of an officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state,” per the Office of the Attorney General website.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputies have even had to admit this: Eric Torres did not have a gun when he was shot and killed, and there was no “exchange of gunfire.” The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department murdered Erick Torres in cold blood.

In the aftermath of the fatal shooting, members of Centro CSO made contact with the family, who immediately dismissed the narrative being pushed by the media and the department. Torres’ brother made it known that deputies from the Sheriff's Department had routinely responded to calls at the Torres residence, and were aware of his brother’s mental health struggles. The night of the incident, the family made it known to deputies that Torres was unarmed, but deputies disregarded this information and killed him anyway.

Chicanos on the Eastside know all too well that the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station – home of the Banditos gang – is infamous for officers’ aggressive, violent behavior and long history of killing young Chicano men. Deputies out of the East LA Station have killed those experiencing mental health crises in the past, instead of getting them the help they deserve.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #EastLA #InjusticeSystem #LASD #OppressedNationalities #Featured

Los Angeles, CA – On February 17, over 1000 Chicanos gathered at Placita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles to protest against ICE deportations and to fight back against Trump's racist, right-wing agenda.

The rally and march were called for by Chicana activists who used social media to get the word out. Recent protests in Los Angeles have brought out large crowds of Chicanos ready to stand up and fight, with the last one, on February 2, drawing tens of thousands who took to the streets. That afternoon protesters even took over the 101 Freeway, shutting it down for hours and completely overwhelming LAPD, LASD and CHP, which were completely unprepared and caught off guard by Raza fighting back.

The rally and march on Presidents’ Day was officially endorsed and supported by the Community Self-Defense Coalition, which is a new coalition recently announced in Los Angeles, consisting of over 60 organizations and unions. Growing every day, the Community Self-Defense Coalition is determined to defend Raza out in the streets in the face of attacks by migra. The program featured speakers from different members of the coalition like Centro CSO, Union Del Barrio, Black Alliance for Peace SoCal and many more. The spirited march made stops at the Metropolitan Detention Center and City Hall before circling back to Placita Olvera.

During the march, the large protest had a soundtrack and that played music, and ledchants like “Raza si, migra no! ” “La que no salta es migra” (Whoever doesn’t jump is migra) and “El Pueblo unido jamás será vencido” (The people united will never be defeated). The march had multiple banners of the different organizations as well dozens of flags representing countries in South America, Central America, Palestine, and Lebanon.

The leading truck flew a large Aztlán flag through the sunny spring morning in Los Angeles. When the march passed through historic Little Tokyo, the organizers shouted out and gave their respects to the Japanese people who themselves were forcefully displaced and put into concentration camps by the United States during World War II.

Veria Topete, a member of Centro CSO, said at the rally, “It felt very beautiful and empowering being with our community, standing in unity to let our brothers and sisters know that it’s not just their fight it’s our fight and they are not alone. That we are here to stand up and defend them.”

Karina Lopez, who represented Centro CSO on the program, said, “Don’t let this be the last action you take. This is only the beginning of the struggle that we have ahead of us when we organize and connect our struggles, we build power. Trump is also saying he will take over Gaza, we say hands off Palestine! Our fight against repression is connected with the fight to liberate Palestine!”

Centro CSO is a grassroots organization focused on fighting for oppressed Chicanos in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. They uplift the demands of Legalization for All, Community Control of the Police and Protect Public Education. They are proud members of the Legalization 4 All Network and affiliates of the National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR).

You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook under the username @CentroCSO

#LosAngelesCA #NAARPR #Legalization4All #LegalizationforAll #ELA #BoyleHeights #Chicano #VivaLaRaza #NoDeportations #ICE #ImmigrantRights #Immigration #FreePalestine #Aztlan #Trump #PresidentsDay #LAPD #LASD #CHP

East Los Angeles, CA – On March 23, 50 people gathered at the East LA Sheriff Station to demand justice for David Ordaz Jr. and commemorate his three-year angelversary. On March 14, 2021, Los Angeles Sheriff's deputies killed Ordaz outside his family home after his family called 911 to request support for him while he was experiencing a mental health crisis.

One deputy, Remin Pineda, is facing two charges related to the killing – assault with a semiautomatic firearm and assault under color of authority. The three other deputies involved – Edwin Navarette, Jaime Moreno and Nathaniel Trujillo – were cleared and continue to patrol East LA.

Organized by the Ordaz family with the support of Centro CSO, the event united community supporters and impacted families who came out in the rain to remember Ordaz Jr. and demand sheriff accountability.

“We want to be able to decide what happens to killer cops,” said Sol Marquez of Centro CSO, who helped facilitate the event. “That is why we demand community control.”

The surviving families of Adrian Rios, Anthony Vargas and Frederick Holder – all victims of LASD – as well as those of Cesar Rodriguez and Alex Flores shared their condolences and solidarity with the Ordaz family. The speakers denounced the sheriff's department for murdering people with impunity and being the home to deputy gangs that terrorize Black and Chicano communities.

Stephanie Luna, the aunt of Anthony Daniel Vargas, who was killed by Banditos from the East LA station in 2018, explained, “Sheriff’s deputies go to your home and harass you. They go after families who speak out. Where do you go when cops are after you? We’ve been fighting for six years. This is a fight we are going to be in for the rest of our life.”

After speeches from impacted families, the crowd broke through a layer of caution tape and walked closer to the Sheriff’s Station where three squad cars and multiple Sheriff Deputies were blocking the entrance. The Sheriffs announced an unlawful assembly and threatened arrests with children present.

Chants of “Who killed David? LASD!” and “What does killer cops mean? We got to fight back!” rang loud around the park through the rain.

Speakers pointed out how LASD’s heavy response to a peaceful protest demonstrated the department’s priorities and its waste of public resources. Since their loved one’s death, the Ordaz family has continuously called attention to the need to better fund mental health support rather than law enforcement.

In October 2023, Deputy Pineda was set to accept a plea deal that would have allowed him to avoid jail time for his killing of Ordaz Jr. After hearing the passionate explanations from the Ordaz family about the impact of Ordaz Jr.’s murder, Judge Michael Pastor rejected the deal as being too lenient. In the coming months, Deputy Pineda will return to court with the possibility of being sentenced to jail.

#LosAngelesCA #EastLA #JusticeForDavidOrdazJr #JailKillerCops #LASD #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – On the two-year anniversary of the murder of Andres Guardado, June 17, UNITE HERE Local 11 and the Check the Sheriff Coalition held a press conference to call for a Los Angeles County Charter Amendment. This amendment will establish a new law with stronger civilian oversight of the LA Sheriffs.

Andres Guardado was a 19-year-old shot in the back and killed by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. The first to speak at the rally was Cristobal Guardado, father of Andres, who spoke of the gift his son gave him two years ago for Father’s Day – a pair of shoes that he keeps for his memory but has never worn.

The president of UNITE HERE Local 11, Kurt Petersen, representing thousands of Los Angeles hotel and restaurant workers, called for justice for Andres and support for control and accountability over the LA Sheriffs. Then Melina Abdullah, a leader with Black Lives Matter-LA, spoke of the unity between the Black and Chicano community in the fight against police killings and introduced Dijon Kizzee’s cousin to speak. Dijon Kizzee, another victim of police violence, was shot 20 times and killed by L.A. Sheriffs. The cops claim he was breaking the law while riding his bike in South LA.

Emily Ordaz, daughter of David Ordaz Jr., who was killed by East LA Sheriffs, called for stronger civilian oversight of the LA Sheriff. Andres Kwon with ACLU-LA called the proposed charter amendment common sense and not a radical proposal.

The Anthony Vargas family and representatives of Centro CSO were present as the group marched to the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration to deliver a letter to the CEO calling for stronger civilian oversight of the LA Sheriffs. Centro CSO is a leading partner of the Check the Sheriff Coalition.

Centro CSO works for and calls for community control over the police, where the community or the people have power over the police, similar to the successful fight in Chicago where the Chicago chapter of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression won the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance to move forward the movement for community control of the police.

Centro CSO and the Check the Sheriff Coalition are calling on everyone to call or email the LA County Board of Supervisor to demand they vote to approve a motion for an LA County charter amendment for stronger civilian oversight of the LA Sheriffs. Please call and email starting on June 24 from 10 a.m. until noon.

Please call and email:

Hilda Solis 213-974-4111, firstdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov

Sheila Kuehl 213-974-3333, sheila@bos.lacounty.gov

Janice Hahn 213-974-4444, fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov

Kathryn Barger 213-974-5555, kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov

Holly Mitchell 213-974-2222, HollyJMitchell@bos.lacounty.gov

Centro CSO can be reached through its email ( CentroCSO@gmail.com), by texting its hotline 323-943-2030, or messaging various social media platforms: @CentroCSO on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #LASD #StopPoliceCrimes

Los Angeles, CA – On the night of August 31, Dijon Kizzee who was 29 years old, was riding his bicycle. Two sheriff deputies allege that Kizzee was violating vehicle codes but have not said which ones specifically. They began to follow him and Kizzee got off his bicycle, ran, and the two deputies shot and killed him at the scene. The deputies claim Kizzee punched one of them, dropped a bundle of clothes, and upon inspecting the clothes bundle, found a handbag, and a gun inside the bag. The deputies are claiming this is when they decided to open fire on Kizzee.

A 100-person protest and march outside of the South LA Sheriff’s station on Imperial Highway immediately broke out. Families of other Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) victims united with the protesters including Lisa Vargas, mother of Anthony Daniel Vargas (killed by LASD August 12, 2018) and Leah Garcia mother of Paul Rea (killed by LASD June 27, 2019). Protesters were demanding justice for Dijon Kizzee amid continued recent deaths of Black people like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, the recent attack on Jacob Blake, and the continued killings in LA at the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department and LASD.

More actions will occur tonight and Fight Back! will be on the scene.

#LosAngelesCA #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #LASD #DijonKizzee

Los Angeles, CA – A protest shook the East LA Sheriff's Department station, Sept. 8. Lisa Vargas, the mother of Anthony Vargas, who was murdered by LA sheriffs, told the crowd “We’re here today for Anthony but we also know there are others who lose loved ones and don’t come out to speak. For whatever reason, but we’re for them also. We believe that my son was innocent. And we believe that he did not deserve this.”

21-year-old Anthony Vargas was shot 14 times – twice in the head – and killed by the East LA sheriffs on August 13. LA sheriffs were called to apprehend a suspect in a robbery. But now the sheriffs say Vargas may have been a mistaken suspect.

The Vargas family, Centro CSO members and members of the community held a large picket line on the sidewalk in front of ELA Sheriff’s Station, followed by a march to the entrance of the building. There, an angry rally demanded justice for Anthony Vargas, the release of the names of the killer cops, and for the cops to be prosecuted and jailed.

Anthony Vargas’ twin brother, Dre Vargas, spoke about the loss. “He was a good person, that’s why you see a lot of people here today. My brother should not have gone the way that he did. We’re gonna keep fighting for him, justice for my brother Anthony Vargas.”

Vargas was an enthusiastic fisherman, attended Garfield High School, taught bible classes and was well-liked. Vargas’ friends from the Maravilla Projects attended in support of the Vargas family.

Vargas’ lawyer Humberto Guizar spoke, “If I have to fight on the streets with all of you to win justice, I will do that. And I will also take it the courts, and fight for justice there. I will not stop until we all win justice for Anthony Vargas.”

Reading a powerful account on the loss of her older brother, Vargas’ younger sister Melanie Luna said, “Me and my family waited hours behind lines of yellow tape, before we were finally allowed to see his body on the grass. 14 shots including wounds to his head. They took him from us.”

Vargas’ brother Geo Vargas spoke about his dismay, “LA sheriffs murdered my baby brother Anthony. They said he was involved in things that he wasn't. Why was his life taken away?”

Centro CSO is working with the Vargas family and uniting with other families in Boyle Heights and East LA who are also victims of Los Angeles Police Department and Sherriff’s Department killings. Centro CSO supports all families and communities in demanding that Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey prosecute police in the killing of Chicanos, Blacks and Latinos.

#LosAngelesCA #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #PoliceBrutality #CentroCSO #EastLASheriffsDepartment #LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment #LASD