Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

losángelesca

By staff

Protesta en Los Ángeles exige justicia para Jeremy Flores.

Los Ángeles, CA – El 2 de agosto, Centro CSO y la familia de Jeremy Flores se reunieron en Mariachi Plaza en Boyle Heights para exigir justicia para un hombre chicano de 26 años, quien fue asesinado por agentes de la División Hollenbeck del LAPD el 14 de julio.

La protesta comenzó con una marcha hacia la estación de policía de Hollenbeck y terminó con un mitin en Mariachi Plaza y una recaudación de fondos para apoyar a la familia.

Los manifestantes incluyeron a la familia Flores y sus seres queridos, organizadores de Centro CSO y decenas de residentes que acudieron en unidad y solidaridad. Portando pancartas con consignas como “Justicia para Jeremy Flores” y “Encarcelen policías asesinos”, los manifestantes avanzaron por 1st Street coreando y exigiendo rendición de cuentas por la muerte de Jeremy. La familia y simpatizantes corearon: “¡Publiquen los nombres!” y “¡Publiquen las grabaciones!”, subrayando su demanda de justicia y rendición de cuentas.

Frente a la estación de Hollenbeck, un simpatizante del LAPD apareció y agredió a manifestantes y familiares afligidos usando un extinguidor de fuego. A pesar del ataque, la protesta continuó con firme determinación. Los manifestantes siguieron con la demostración y luego marcharon de regreso a Mariachi Plaza donde una serie de oradores se dirigieron a la multitud. Entre los oradores estuvieron familiares y amigos de Jeremy Flores y representantes de About Face: Veteranos Contra la Guerra, LA Mesa Brown Berets, Centro CSO, un miembro del Sindicato Teamsters, la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL).

“Jeremy no tuvo una segunda oportunidad en la vida. El LAPD le robó eso a él y a nosotros, nos quitó nuestros planes y sueños del futuro”, dijo Paola Méndez, novia de Flores, dirigiéndose a la manifestación. “¡Nos íbamos a casar, estábamos construyendo una vida juntos! Pero gracias a ustedes y su valentía, lucha y solidaridad, el nombre de Jeremy no ha sido olvidado. Su historia se está contando, su humanidad está siendo honrada, y eso se significa todo.”

“Denunciamos el asesinato brutal de Jeremy Flores”, dijo Lelani González, quien habló en nombre del Comité de Responsabilidad Policial de CSO. “Exigimos una investigación independiente y exhaustiva; exigimos que encarcelen a los policías asesinos y que publiquen los nombres y los historiales disciplinarios de los policías que mataron a Jeremy Flores.”

Alejandro Orellana, miembro de Centro CSO y de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad quien enfrentó cargos del FBI este verano por su activismo por los derechos de los inmigrantes afirmó: “Estos incidentes están interconectados. Esto es opresión nacional. Porque Jeremy era un chicano y yo soy un chicano. Creen que pueden hacer lo que sea y arrestarnos sin debido proceso”.

Los oradores recordaron a la multitud que el caso de Flores no es aislado: es uno entre muchos, y es parte de la razón por la que el movimiento por justicia y control comunitario de la policía sigue creciendo. Enfatizaron la necesidad de desmantelar el sistema que sigue criminalizando, brutalizando y matando a la gente chicana y negra de clase trabajadora sin rendir cuentas. Los oradores vincularon el asesinato de Jeremy Flores con un patrón más amplio de violencia policial en Boyle Heights y en todo el Este de Los Ángeles, citando la larga historia de prácticas racistas policiales y represión estatal en las comunidades de nacionalidades oprimidas.

El mitin concluyó con consignas: “¡Justicia para Jeremy Flores!” y “¡Publiquen los nombres!”. La exigencia es clara: ¡Los responsables deben ser nombrados, expuestos y obligados a rendir cuentas!

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CentroCSO

By staff

A group of protesters holding banners.

Los Angeles, CA, – On August 5, over 40 people – members of Centro CSO, the impacted families of Jeremy Flores and Peter Villalobos, and community supporters – protested the national night out event outside of LAPD Hollenbeck station.

Read more...

By staff

Alejandro Orellana.

Los Angeles, CA – El 29 de julio, el gobierno federal proclamó que los cargos de conspiración contra el activista Chicano Alejandro Orellana fueron retirados – una victoria para el Centro CSO y todos los luchadores por libertad en el movimiento de derechos de inmigrantes peleando contra la violencia de ICE.

Leer más...

By staff

A group of protesters holding signs.

Los Angeles, CA – On August 2, Centro CSO and the family of Jeremy Flores gathered at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights to demand justice for the 26-year-old Chicano man, who was killed by officers from the LAPD Hollenbeck Division on July 14.

The protest began with a march to the Hollenbeck police station and ended with a rally at Mariachi Plaza and a fundraiser to support the family.

The protesters included the Flores family and their loved ones, Centro CSO organizers, and dozens of residents who turned out in unity and solidarity. Carrying signs that read “Justice for Jeremy Flores” and “Jail killer cops,” the marchers moved down 1st Street chanting and demanding accountability for Jeremy’s death. Family and supporters chanted “Release the names!” and “Release the footage,” highlighting their demand for justice and accountability.

Read more...

By staff

A man speaking at a microphone with people standing behind him.

Los Angeles, CA – Centro CSO and supporters gathered at Mariachi Plaza, July 30, for a press conference to announce their victory over the Department of Justice, as it dropped the charges on anti-ICE protester Alejandro Orellana.

After seven weeks of nationwide pressure on U.S. Attorney Billal “Bill” Essayli, Alejandro is a free man and can live without government restrictions or reporting to a parole officer.

Read more...

By staff

A man holding a tote bag standing in front of a mural.

Los Angeles, CA – On July 29, the federal government announced the conspiracy charges against Chicano activist Alejandro Orellana were dropped – a victory for Centro CSO and all freedom fighters in the immigrant rights movement fighting against ICE terror!

On June 12, the FBI, National Guard, and the East LA Sheriff station raided Orellana’s home. They arrested Orellana, destroyed his family home, and locked him up at the Metropolitan Detention Center that has been the site of many anti-deportation protests. The Justice Department charged him with conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder, which could have resulted in up to five years in prison for Orellana.

Read more...

By staff

A group of protesters holding signs.

Los Angeles, CA – En la mañana del 14 de Julio, un Chicano de 26 años llamado Jeremy Flores fue asesinado por policías asesinos del LAPD Hollenbeck.

Flores estaba sentado en su camioneta de trabajo en Boyle Heights. LAPD recibió una llamada sobre un hombre supuestamente armado con un rifle y los oficiales abrieron fuego a las 8:30 a.m., tirando y asesinando Flores al contacto. Esto pasó cerca de la intersección de Spence Street y Olympic Boulevard.

Leer más...

By staff

A group of workers meeting in a parking lot.

Los Angeles, CA – Starting Monday, July 14, more than 500 Republic Services sanitation workers at Gardena and Long Beach yards honored a picket line extended from Teamsters Local 25 workers on strike at Republic Services in Boston, Massachusetts. The LA county workers, who are members of Teamsters Local 396, usually clock in and start working between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. When they saw a picket line outside of their yard in the early hours of the morning, they went home for the day instead.

Read more...

By Marisol Márquez

A group of protesters holding signs.

Los Angeles, CA – On the morning of July 14, a 26-year-old Chicano named Jeremy Flores was murdered by LAPD Hollenbeck killer cops.

Flores was sitting in his work van in Boyle Heights. LAPD received a call of a person allegedly armed with a rifle and officers opened fire at about 8:30 a.m., striking and killing Flores upon contact. This happened near the intersection of Spence Street and Olympic Boulevard.

Read more...

By staff

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, July 5, Centro CSO organized a rally at La Placita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles to demand justice for two of its members who are under attack: Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete. The rally drew over 50 community members, workers, students, organizers and even Orellana’s former schoolteachers. The crowd united to chant, “Drop the charges!”

Read more...

By Sol Márquez

A man speaking into a microphone in front of a group of people holding signs and banners.

Los Angeles, CA – On July 3, the courtroom in the Edward Roybal Federal Courthouse was completely packed in support of Alejandro Orellana.

Orellana was raided by the National Guard, East LA sheriffs and the FBI on June 12 and is facing up to five years in prison if found guilty. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli charged Orellana with conspiracy to commit civil unrest and aiding and abetting civil unrest.

“Thank you to all for your support today,” said Alejandro Orellana, addressing his supporters. Present were his immediate family, Centro CSO members and other supporters. Also present was CSO member and immigration leader Verita Topete. On June 26, Topete was followed in a park and violently served a search warrant for her phone, while she walked her dog alone.

Read more...

By staff

Two people holding signs. One reads, "Stop Killing Chicanos Justice for Jesse!"

El Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste! está circulando la siguiente declaración del Comité para Parar la Represión del FBI.

El Comité para Parar la Represión del FBI está llamando a organizaciones a través de los EE.UU. a unirse a un día de acción nacional en junio 27 y exigir que los cargos sean retirados de inmediato. Organizaciones, nacionales y locales, están publicando declaraciones en apoyo a Alejandro Orellana y defensores llamarán a la oficina del fiscal federal para expresar esta exigencia.

Leer más...

By staff

LA protests the FBI repression directed at  anti-ICE activists.

Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, June 27, community members gathered at Salazar Park at 4 p.m. for a press conference and rally demanding the charges be dropped against Alejandro Orellana and calling for justice for Verita Topete. Both are immigrant rights activists who were raided by the FBI within the last two weeks.

Read more...

By staff

A woman speaking into a bullhorn.

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, June 26, Verita Topete, an immigrant rights activist with Centro CSO, was ambushed by the FBI while walking her dog at a park. Federal agents aggressively approached her to serve a warrant and force her to give them her phone.

Read more...

By staff

Los Angeles, CA – El viernes, 13 de junio, Alejandro Orellana, un activista de derechos inmigrantes quien fue arrestado por la FBI, fue liberado de custodia federal.

La mañana anterior la FBI, con el apoyo de la guardia nacional y el departamento de sherifes de Los Ángeles, invadieron el hogar de Orellana en el Este de Los Ángeles y arrestaron a Alejandro, un por vida miembro de Centro CSO, con cargos de “conspiración de cometer desorden criminal.”

Leer más...

By staff

A person holding a bag that says Legalization for all

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

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is calling on organizations across the U.S. to join a national day of action on June 27 and demand that the charges be dropped at once. Organizations, national and local, are releasing statements of support for Alejandro Orellana and supporters will call into the U.S. attorney’s office to voice this demand.

Read more...

By staff

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. Orellana has been released from jail and the NAARPR is working to support his defense.

Statement Demanding the Release of Alejandro Orellana

On June 12th, FBI agents arrested Alejandro Orellana, a member of Centro CSO, a branch of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression based in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, for providing aid to the community being tear-gassed. Orellana’s arrest comes the same day Senator Alex Padilla was violently assaulted at a Homeland Security press conference. We condemn Orellana’s arrest as a clear example of racist and political repression. After immense community pressure led by the Centro CSO, Orellana was released the following day! The power of the people are driving ICE back and freeing people like Orellano, and it will be the power of the people that get Orellano’s charges dropped!

Read more...

By staff

Alejandro Orellana with fist raised \[center\] after his release.

Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, June 13, Alejandro Orellana, an immigrant rights activist who was arrested by the FBI, was freed from federal custody.

The previous morning the FBI, with the support of the National Guard and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, raided Orellana’s home in East Los Angeles and arrested Alejandro, a longtime member of Centro CSO, on charges of “conspiracy to commit criminal disorders.”

In a packed courtroom with family, supporters, and Centro CSO members, Orellana stood strong against the ridiculous charges. The U.S. Attorney tried to have the judge order Orellana to stay away from downtown LA but that order was rejected.

Read more...

By staff

East LA protest against ICE kidnapping.

Los Angeles, CA – On June 11, over 100 Chicanos gathered at Salazar Park for a news conference and rally to denounce the violent ICE kidnapping of a father of two in Boyle Heights. At 10:15 on the morning of June 11, a vehicle with a mother, father, infant and toddler traveling on Whittier Boulevard was pinned between two ICE vehicles. The father’s vehicle was tear gassed, and the father was kidnapped by agents, leaving the totaled car on Whittier.

Members of Centro CSO, an organization that fights for immigrant rights in Boyle Heights and East LA, were at the scene while the confrontation unfolded and demanded ICE show the warrant and identify themselves – which the agents laughed at and refused. The man is being charged with assault on a federal agent, but DHS has yet to provide evidence.

Read more...

By staff

Sam Carrera speaking to the press. about the jailing of immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana.

Los Angeles, CA — On the morning of June 12, in East Los Angeles, the FBI, National Guard, and LA Sheriff’s Department cornered off the street where immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana lives. Neighbors came out of their homes, concerned they were witnessing another ICE raid. FBI agents forcibly entered Orellana’s home, overturned all of his belongings, seized his electronic property, and then escorted Orellana handcuffed into one of their vehicles.

Read more...