Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, October 9, the family of Leo Chavez, along with local community supporters and Centro CSO, rallied to protest in front of the California Highway Patrol East LA station. Leo Chavez was shot and killed by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers after a traffic collision near his home in Boyle Heights, on September 28, at about 3:30 p.m.

Centro CSO and the attorneys at Justice X united with the family and organized the rally to denounce police killings of Chicanos and they demanded the firing and prosecution of the CHP officers who shot and killed Chavez.

Leo Chavez worked as a security guard at a business in LA, loved to work out at a local fitness center where he was well-known and liked. He had plans to open up his own business.

Lisa Vargas, the mother of Anthony Vargas who was killed by East LA Sheriffs in 2018, led the October 9 rally. Maritza Padilla, the mother of Leo Chavez, demanded justice and prosecution of the CHP officers who killed her son. She cried and talked about missing her son. Jesus “Chuy” Chavez, Leo’s brother, denounced the CHP for the murder and also called for the prosecution of the officers. Hilda Pedroza, sister of David Ordaz Jr., killed by the East LA Sheriffs, spoke in solidarity with the Chavez Family.

Christian Contreras, an attorney with Justice X representing the family, spoke about the need to unite and keep fighting to prosecute police who kill our young Chicano men. Carlos Montes with Centro CSO spoke about the racist oppression of Chicanos and Blacks with police killings, racism and labor exploitation. He called for organizing against racist police killings and linking it to the fight for self-determination for Chicanos and for real freedom for Chicanos, Blacks and all working people in the U.S.

On October 4, the family, with attorneys Humberto Guizar & Christian Contreras, presented a business surveillance video of the killing that clearly shows the CHP officers were not in any danger. Chavez was unarmed, standing facing the CHP with his hands visibility empty.

Centro CSO is working with the Chavez family and calling on California Attorney General Rob Bonta to prosecute the two CHP officers involved in this unwarranted killing of an unarmed local resident.

Centro CSO is also supporting and participating in the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression (NAARPR) national conference to be held in Chicago December 4 and 5.

To join Centro CSO and fight against police killings and for Chicano liberation, send us a message. We meet the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom (online during the pandemic). If you wish to join the Police Brutality Committee of CSO, send us a message at CentroCSO@gmail.com, text CSO at our hotline 323-943-2030, or contact us at our various social media platforms: @CentroCSO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

#LosAngelesCA #InJusticeSystem #PeoplesStruggles #ChicanoLatino #PoliceBrutality #CentroCSO #LeoChavez

Los Angeles, CA – On September 28, after a traffic collision, 24-year-old Leo Chavez was shot and killed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). His mother Maritza Padilla is devastated and wants justice for her son. Chavez’ surviving family lives in Boyle Heights near the Ramona Gardens neighborhood. Ramona Gardens is no stranger to police killings by the LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The family, Justice X attorneys Humberto Guizar and Christian Contreras, and Centro CSO held a press conference on September 29, at the scene of the killing to denounce another murder of a young Chicano by police.

Leo Chavez worked as a security guard, attended school and liked to work out at a nearby fitness center. His mother Maritza Padilla said Leo was a loving young man and is calling for justice and the prosecution of the CHP officers. His brother Jesus Chavez said, “He did not deserve to die like this. We want justice!”

The Ramona Gardens area community of Boyle Heights has suffered discrimination, segregation, pollution and police abuse for many years. But this community has a history of fighting back. Arturo Smokey Jimenez, 19, was killed by East LA Sheriff Jason Mann on August 3, 1991. That night the community rebelled, with over 300 people protesting, throwing rocks and bottles at police. 75 deputies were called in to suppress the community and people were ordered at gunpoint to stay indoors. Jason Mann was linked to the white racist deputy gang the Vikings when he worked at the Lynwood Sheriff's station.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta will investigate this killing, according to the Sacramento Bee. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) Police Shooting Investigation Team for Southern California arrived at the scene. The California DOJ has a Special Prosecution Section for independent investigation and prosecution of officer involved killings. In the past, former LA District Attorney Jackie Lacey refused to prosecute any of the over 600 police killings during her eight years in office.

The family and lawyers – along with Centro CSO, a local group based in Boyle Heights and East LA – will be planning future protests and continue to organize to demand an end to police killings of Blacks and Chicanos and fight for civilian community control over police.

If you wish to join the Police Brutality Committee of CSO, send us a message at CentroCSO@gmail.com, text CSO at our hotline 323-943-2030, or contact us at our various social media platforms: @CentroCSO on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

Carlos Montes is a Centro CSO member and organizer

#LosAngelesCA #InJusticeSystem #PeoplesStruggles #ChicanoLatino #PoliceBrutality #CentroCSO #LeoChavez