Los Angeles, CA – Hundreds of people marched and rallied January 27 demanding justice for Tyre Nichols, who was killed by five Memphis cops. Additionally, protesters demanded justice for LAPD victim Keenan Anderson, an African American teacher who was tazed to death, and for Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, an environmental activist assassinated by Georgia state troopers. Protesters condemned racist police terror with a banner that read “Stop Cop City” displayed on barricades in front of the police headquarters. A march ensued around the block with everyone chanting “No justice no peace!” and “Justice for Tyre!”

In light of the anticipated release of the brutal bodycam footage of Tyre Nichols, LA police department presence was persistent throughout the day. They prepared for potential unrest, setting up barricades and using surveillance technology throughout the city.

After returning back to the start of the event, protesters knocked down the barricades and LAPD cops in riot gear emerged from the headquarters and advanced on protesters. Fifty riot-geared cops arrived in the opposite direction of Main Street and created a line. Known neo-Nazis and provocateurs were present. When protesters conformed the reactionaries, police advanced and shoved to protect the Nazis. Some began to point their weapons at protesters, within close range.

The LAPD established a line across the intersection of Main Street and 1st Street, in the face of protesters making a stand for justice.

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

Seattle WA – Protesters, angry about recent police killings, marched to the East Precinct police station in Seattle on the evening of January 27. A group about 100 people marched from the site where Jaahnavi Kandula was run over by a cop on January 23. Chants of “No justice! No peace! No racist police!” rang out as the group took to the streets demanding an end to police violence.

Jaahnavi Kandula was walking in a crosswalk when an officer ran her over and kept driving. “The Seattle police department has refused to release the name of the officer. The SPD have also refused to say whether the cop had their siren or lights on and how fast they were going. We demand justice,” said Cael Frerichs from the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, who also attended a vigil for Jaahnavi Kandula.

Protesters also marched against the recent murder of Tyre Nichols by Memphis, Tennessee police officers. Tyre Nichols was pulled over for a traffic stop and was beaten to death by five officers. “When Black lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” Mantak Singh, a student organizer with Progressive Student Union chanted.

“No more police brutality, no more killings! We need to put people in power over the police, over budget, policy, hiring and firing,” said Clio Jensen from the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, speaking in front of the precinct building. Protesters talked about instances of police violence in Seattle and nationally and demanded an end.

#SeattleWA #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

Raleigh, NC – On January 17, Darryl Tyree Williams was tased to death by six Raleigh Police Department officers who have since been put on administrative leave, essentially a paid vacation.

The six officers named in the incident are C.D. Robinson, J.T. Thomas, D.L. Aquino, J.R. Scott, D.L. Grande, and B L. Ramge. As of writing, no bodycam or dashcam footage has been released to the public or the family. The preliminary police report attempted to smear Tyree Williams saying, “This location has a history of repeat calls for service for drugs, weapons and other criminal violations,” a common police tactic against victims of police violence. There was no apparent reason for police to demand to search Williams’s car besides blatant racial profiling.

Tyree’s family organized a vigil on January 19, where dozens of attendees released balloons in mourning “We love you Boo-boo”. Organizers held a protest during the Raleigh city council meeting on January 25 calling for Justice for Darryl Williams and defund the Raleigh police department.

Police approached Tyree’s vehicle while they were doing what Raleigh police call “preventative policing.” One family member said, “he was an innocent Black man minding his business” when police dragged him out of the car, “They tried to George Floyd my brother,” she said.

Police say they tased Tyree three times while Williams pleaded with police to stop and was heard saying “I have heart problems.” This police murder comes just two weeks after Los Angeles police murdered a teacher, Keenan Anderson, with a taser. Studies have repeatedly shown that tasers can cause heart problems in the people they strike. Often, victims have little control over their limbs which police will then point to claim they were resisting.

The Refund Raleigh Freedom Committee condemned the police murder and called for divestment from the police department and investing in Black lives by funding “affordable housing, healthcare, fair wages, childcare, and quality education.” The Refund Raleigh Freedom Committee is a community organization that has been calling for years for cuts in the police budget and moving that money to affordable housing developments, a city worker minimum wage of $25 per hour, and for the introduction of a mental health response unit separated from the police department, similar to Denver’s STAR program.

From Memphis to Atlanta to Raleigh to LA, racist police violence has continued unabated and police departments have continued to receive large budget increases at the expense of public schools and other public services. May Darryl Tyree Williams, Tyre Nichols, Keenan Anderson, Tortuguita, and the many victims of the brutal policing regime rest in power.

#RaleighNC #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

Tampa, FL – Dozens of family, friends and community members gathered on January 11 to demand justice and honor the fourth angelversary of Josiah Pinner, a 15-year-old killed by a speeding Hillsborough County deputy.

On January 11, 2019, Deputy Philip Montesi was driving 21 miles per hour over the speed limit in an undercover car on a dimly lit road in a residential area when he struck Josiah Pinner. Pinner was walking across the road with Damien Foster, who was walking with his bike.

Deputy Montesi did not immediately stop or call an ambulance when he struck Josiah, he returned to the scene more than ten minutes later, but it was too late. Montesi only received a five-day suspension and a driving class for the murder of the Tampa teen.

At the vigil, at 6:25 p.m., Josiah Pinner’s mother, Joanne Rojas, called for attendees to release balloons and lanterns in accordance with the time her child was struck by Montesi. The lanterns were lit and floated off one by one in the same direction creating a path to the stars in a clear night sky.

“He was a light to everybody. He can’t be replaced. The lanterns, their light is like him, it’s hard to explain, but it’s him,” said Tammy Pinner, grandmother of Josiah.

Because Montesi was on duty at the time he killed Josiah Pinner, he could not be sued as an individual. Former State Attorney Andrew Warren declined to pursue a homicide charge against Montessi because of “insufficient evidence.” Montesi has a number of traffic violations on his record, including clipping a pedestrian while the deputy was speeding and distracted by using his in-vehicle computer.

With little choice left, the Pinner family filed a lawsuit against the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) for negligence. They reached a settlement in March of 2022 for $200,000.

The Pinner family paid nearly $18,000 to relocate the grave of their child, after it had been repeatedly vandalized.

In another case, in September of 2022, Deanna and Andrew Joseph, parents of Andrew Joseph III, won their civil court case against HSCO under the Wrongful Death Act and were awarded $15 million. HSCO was found responsible in the death of 14-year-old Andrew Joseph III, who died while crossing Interstate 4 after being wrongfully arrested, photographed and ejected from the Florida State fair.

No officer was charged in the death of Andrew Joseph III due to the difficult nature of prosecuting Florida officers who are protected by qualified immunity. Florida’s statute for qualified immunity, the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights, gives police extra protections that regular citizens do not have when being accused of a crime, such as choosing the officers who will question them.

“Philip Montesi killed Josiah Pinner, that is the truth and there is no way around it. He should be in jail right now for manslaughter. No police officer should ever be shielded by law when they commit such a horrific act,” said Simon Rowe, member of Tampa Bay Community Action Committee and vigil attendee.

Candles illuminated Joanne Rojas as she spoke about reopening her son's case to continue the fight for justice and accountability. After watching the Josephs' long drawn out battle end in an historic win for police accountability, Joanne Rojas knew she had been cheated. Now equipped with the same lawyer as the Joseph family, she is pursuing a case against the city of Tampa and her previous lawyer.

“I just want them to know what they took from us, that’s it. I want justice. Justice needs to be served; they took a precious life from us,” said Tammy Pinner.

#TampaFL #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

Los Angeles, CA – After an eight-day trial, Los Angeles Superior Court on January 20 issued a $12.2 million verdict against the Long Beach police officer for killing Cesar Rodriguez, a 23-year-old Chicano. The jury unanimously found killer cop Martin Ron guilty of negligence and responsible for Rodriguez’s death. It is a victory for the surviving family as it is the largest police misconduct verdict in history against the Long Beach Police Department. The law firm of Arnold Casillas represented the family in the successful lawsuit and trial.

The second phase of the lawsuit, where jurors would weigh how much the family is owed in damages, began on January 19 with tearful testimony from Rodriguez’s loved ones, who spoke about the suffering they’ve endured since his death.

On August 29, 2017, officer Ron and another Long Beach police officer stopped Rodriguez because he had failed to pay the $1.75 metro fare. Officer Ron then detained and arrested Cesar and pushed Rodriguez onto the Metro train tracks and an oncoming train pinned Rodriguez. For more than 20 minutes Rodriguez held on until he succumbed to his injuries and died on the scene.

The family had to endure five years of waiting for the trial and justice. They have become active in the fight against police brutality and stood in solidarity with other families who have lost their loved ones to police violence.

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

Tallahassee, FL – The Tallahassee community convened a somber vigil, January 19, to pay tribute to the life of Manuel “Manny” “Tortuguita” “Teran” Paez, who was taken from us too soon when Georgia state troopers killed them as they were defending Atlanta Forest from the proposed construction of “Cop City.” The gathering was a poignant demonstration of collective grief and solidarity in the face of such a terrible loss.

The ceremony was an incredibly emotional occasion, with people lighting candles and providing heartfelt words of sympathy and comfort to Manny's family and their community.

Attendees recited the words of Holly Near’s song, It Could Have Been Me: It could have been me, but instead, it was you, If you can work for freedom. Freedom, freedom, freedom. If you can work for freedom, I can too. So I'll keep doing the work you were doing as if I were two.

On the night of January 18, Paez was killed by Georgia state troopers while occupying the forestland to challenge the construction of a new police headquarters known as Cop City. This news sparked rage within the community, motivating people to come together to grieve.

Manny Paez was a 27-year-old activist and former Tallahassee resident who was a passionate proponent of environmental, economic and racial justice. They used art as a way to express their convictions and served as an inspiration to many people in the city. During the vigil at the Plant, a local organizing and creative space, many members of the Tallahassee community came together to remember Paez’s legacy and honor their life. Their friends described them as highly committed organizer, who fought to challenge oppressive systems such as capitalism, police brutality, racism and inequality.

Manny Paez’s name will not be forgotten in Tallahassee, as the participants promised to continue to work for justice in their memory.

Trish Brown states, “Manny’s willingness to love unconditionally, when confronted with their shortcomings while relentlessly showing solidarity has inspired me to continue the fight for our safety and freedom and, to also fight with unconditional love on the importance of us all pulling together as a community with love and solidarity. We are all in this together, and our lives are too precious; we must love one another and support one another. At the end of the day, Manny, like many, lost their life fighting for the justice and the liberation we all deserve.”

 Paez had a unique connection with a great many people in the city, and their loss had an impact on us all. As we continue to lament Manny's death and recognize the work they did, it's evident that there is still much that can be done to guarantee their legacy remains alive in Tallahassee.

The death of Manny Paez has left the Tallahassee and the Atlanta community overwhelmed and searching for solutions. However, Defend the Atlanta Forest members are set on keeping Paez’s memory alive and continuing to fight against the building of Cop City.

Vigils are being arranged across Tallahassee and Atlanta. In memory of Manny Paez, let us unite to sustain their legacy and keep battling injustice.

#TallahasseeFL #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

St. Paul, MN – After eight years of struggle, the family of Marcus Golden, who was murdered by Saint Paul police officers January 14, 2015, won financial settlements from the city of Saint Paul last week. On January 19, they held a press conference with a mind-boggling exposure of the lies told by city and county officials surrounding Marcus’ death.

Right after Golden was killed, the whole family knew that Saint Paul Police Department was doing a cover-up. His aunt, Monique Cullars-Doty, led the campaign for justice. She started Black Lives Matter-Twin Cities Metro, Blue LIES Matter and other groups, and was a co-founder of the Twin Cities Coalition 4 Justice 4 Jamar Clark, who was murdered ten months after her nephew Marcus Golden. The victory of this month’s settlements came though her work with the Twin Cities group Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB).

CUAPB recently started a Reinvestigation Workgroup, which doggedly digs up and analyzes all materials – audio, video and written – surrounding police murders. In Marcus’ case, the SPPD written report alone was 594 pages. The red flags in Marcus Gordon’s case were too many to ignore. In fact, it is clear to many that the reason the city of Saint Paul settled with Golden’s family is because it did not want all of its cover-ups exposed in court: “The city did not give up $1.3 million just to make this ‘go away.’ They knew they had to,” said CUAPB founder Michelle Gross at the press conference.

The county attorney in 2015 sent the case of the killer cops, Jeremy Doverspike and Dan Peck, to a grand jury. Predictably, the secretive, law-enforcement-driven grand jury process said its cops did not murder Marcus Golden. Doverspike and Peck are still on the force.

The family looked into lawsuits, but Minnesota has a three-year statute of limitations for wrongful death cases. However, there is a longer window for “death caused by an intentional act” – in other words, murder. That is what the family went for in the fall of 2022, “a Hail Mary pass,” according to Cullars-Doty.

Paul Boseman, a lawyer affiliated with CUAPB, called in Kevin O’Connor of Chicago after the Reinvestigation Workgroup uncovered the law enforcement cover-up, and they shepherded the case through the legal system. The work resulted in a $1.3 million main settlement, plus two settlements specifically for Marcus’ mother and grandmother who were treated in a cruel, vindictive manner by the authorities after his murder.

The Reinvestigation Workgroup issued an 87-page report on Marcus Golden’s case and summarized some main points at the January 19 press conference, ranging from analyzing prints in the fresh snow, to doctored reports of 911 calls. Golden’s gun was seemingly planted in the car after it was found in a shockingly brazen search of his room at this grandparents’ house right after he was murdered. Police told lies about Marcus’ character and background, manipulating things to try to make him appear unhinged. The exposure of these facts meant, as CUAPB says, “Officers Doverspike and Peck faced the very real possibility of being tried for murder in a civil trial.”

The Reinvestigation Workgroup summary was posted online after the press conference.

After the presentations by Cullars-Doty, CUAPB workgroup members and the lawyers, representatives from several groups that have been lifting up Marcus Golden’s case addressed the crowd. Cullars-Doty said, “This could not have been the first. Every single Saint Paul Police Department homicide needs to be re-investigated.”

If it wasn’t for the years of community protest, and continuous pressure on many fronts, Marcus Golden’s murder case would still be buried.

#StPaulMN #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

Los Angeles, CA – More than 50 community members gathered the morning of September 24 at Belvedere Park in East LA. The family of Leonel Chávez called for and organized the event to commemorate the upcoming one-year anniversary of the California Highway Patrol’s stealing Chávez’s life.

On September 28, 2021, Chávez was coming home after working out at the gym, when a car hit him at the intersection of Indiana and Medford in East LA. Instead of rendering aid, helping, or asking questions, CHP officer Daniel Castaneda opened fire on Chávez. Firing eight times, the shots mostly to the chest, Castaneda killed Chávez. Leo was only two blocks away from his home.

The energetic march began at the park and took to the streets of East LA. Traveling through East Cesar E. Chávez Ave, the security Centro CSO team blocked busy intersections without issue, until they finished their march. Chanting, “How do you spell murderer? CHP!” “Que le pasó? Lo mataron! Quién lo mató? La policía!” and “Say his name! Leo Chávez!” the march concluded at the CHP office in Monterey Park. Once there, Chávez’s brother Jesse Chávez opened up the event, stating, “I ask you, what do you think of when you hear police sirens? Because I think, ‘Whose life are they taking away now?’”

Maritza Padilla thanked everyone present for supporting them through this difficult time in their lives and commemorating the tragic loss of her son Leonel Chávez.

Cristal Haro of Centro CSO painted monarch butterflies after Padilla and Chávez wanted to incorporate an activity during the event for impacted families. Each family was given a butterfly to write their demands from California Highway Patrol or the officers involved in the killing of their own loved ones. Haro presented and read a manifesto against CHP that explained the art installation. The families then pasted each flower on the windows of the CHP building, along with the manifesto.

Then everyone regrouped along the sidewalk for speeches. Other impacted families who joined included the families of David Ordaz Jr., Anthony Daniel Vargas, Marco Vasquez Jr. Ivan Peña, David Sullivan, and Edgar Ortiz.

The event was organized by the family of Leonel Chávez and Centro CSO. Others who attended included the family’s attorneys Humberto Guizar, Christian Contreras, Soledad Enrichment Action, Inc., and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Near the end, Sol Márquez of CSO and FRSO reminded everyone to join the fight this November 2022 to boot the Bandito LA County Alex Villanueva, urging the crowd to vote “Yes on Measure A.”

If you too, would like to join the efforts against police brutality and the push to boot the Bandito Villanueva, contact CSO at (323) 484-8630 CentroCSO@gmail.com, or @CentroCSO on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Centro CSO is having a townhall on September 29 to talk about the key issues in the November 8 election. Their next meeting will be on October 6 via Zoom (online) at 7 p.m. PDT.

#LosAngelesCA #PoliceBrutality #StopPoliceCrimes #ProsecuteKillerCops

Los Angeles, CA – On June 17, Roosevelt High School Alumni for Black Lives Matter (RHS Alumni for BLM) held a rally in Boyle Heights. Chanting “Prosecute killer cops!” and “Defund the police,” participants marched almost two miles, from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights to downtown Los Angeles.

Once in downtown, the marchers joined Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles for their weekly protest against Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey. The weekly protests denounce Lacey for her notorious refusal to prosecute cops who unjustly brutalize and murder Chicano and Black Angelinos.

#LosAngeles #ChicanoLatino #PoliceBrutality #BoyleHeights #BlackLivesMatterLA #RooseveltHighSchoolAlumni #ProsecuteKillerCops