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

On the night of March 19, 2026, University Police Department returned with a warrant to the apartment of Rick Toledo, Students for a Democratic Society organizer at Cal Poly Tech Humboldt, and seized his laptop, phone, and other electronics such as a camera. They attempted to force him to give up his passcodes, and he told them no. He did the right thing.

This violation of his privacy comes as part of their effort to charge him with four bogus felonies – false imprisonment, conspiracy, battery, and assault – related to the student protest on Feb 27. This is the latest in their string of acts to suppress any campus free speech for Palestine and divestment from Israel, along with suspending and firing him from his university teaching job.

We should be perfectly clear about it: there is nothing wrong with supporting any student action, including building occupations, that is taken to make demands of a university. Our rights to free speech and freedom of assembly are protected by the First Amendment, enshrined in the constitution. College protest is a long-time tradition, and it continues on today. Toledo committed no crime in supporting the student protest, and the university is determined to create lie after lie in order to demonize him.

In our view, what they really want to do is punish Toledo not for the one-day building occupation last month, but for the 9-day building occupation during the encampment movement in spring of 2024. That display of courage by the students in the name of ending university support for a genocide made it to millions of TV screens, and the state of California and university want someone to pay. Toledo is their target of choice, years later.

We demand that he not be charged of any crime, because he didn't do anything wrong. We demand that his devices be returned ASAP. Activists should learn from his example of not telling the police a single thing, including a passcode. The university and police are the criminals here for trying to scare activists out of speaking out against the university's continued financial support to Israeli apartheid. Now is not the time to suffer in silence; it’s the time to speak out. We need to condemn political repression, stand with Rick Toledo, and defend our rights to speak out for Palestine.

Don’t Charge Rick Toledo!

Give Him His Property Back!

Protesting for Palestine Is Not a Crime!

#CSFR #StopFBI #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

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.

On July 30, U.S. District Judge Serena Murillo dismissed the case without prejudice after Bill Essayli asked to drop the charges the day before.

“We are here today to celebrate,” said Jordan Peña, who is part to Centro CSO leadership. “They were coming after Alejandro as a direct act of political repression because of the work we do in CSO and the way we protect our communities.”

Orellana’s victory is the latest example of cases against anti-ICE protesters being dropped because those prosecutions, clearly politically motivated, can’t stand up in court. Centro CSO also demanded the charges on all immigrant rights protesters who stood up against ICE be dropped and that all political prisoners be released.

Alejandro Orellana went up to the podium, which was full of microphones, and spoke in defiance against Essayli, the U.S. Attorney, who had celebrated the June 12 raid in the media. Orellana also thanked the dozens of organizations for their unwavering support of his case.

“Protesting and protecting yourself and your community from police violence and draconian deportation policies is not a crime,” said Orellana during his speech. “And that’s why Billal’s case fell apart, because they had nothing. As history has made evident, the far right continues to be paper tigers.”

Long time Chicano activist Carlos Montes spoke about what transpired at Orellana’s house when the FBI, National Guard and East LA Sheriffs raided him. ”Centro CSO stood firm and fought against political repression and intimidation and we’re glad that Alejandro is free!” Montes said “Trump's lapdog Essayli gave into pressure and realized he can’t win this case. It is right to protest. It is right to rebel against inhumane injustices against Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans.”

“When I heard he was arrested, some of my coworkers and myself were furious,” said Henry Cornejo, a UPS worker and member of the Teamsters union who works alongside Orellana. “I consider what he did heroic, distributing face shields to protesters that were being shot at by LAPD 40mm launchers.” Cornejo continued. “I’m standing here in solidarity and victory with Alejandro and Centro CSO for winning this case. These charges were dropped because we as activists, as a community and as Raza knew these accusations were baseless.”

Centro CSO is building for the 55th Chicano Moratorium on August 30 in East Los Angeles, where political repression against the Chicano movement continues. The main themes will highlight legalization for all, anti-war activism, and community control of the police.

To join the struggle and keep fighting back against political repression, you can reach out to Centro CSO on Instagram @CentroCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #ICE #ImmigrantRights #FBI #StopFBI #CentroCSO

On July 29, the people achieved a great victory: the two bogus federal charges on Los Angeles immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana were dropped!

The Freedom Road Socialist Organization hails everyone who took up the national call to mobilize for Alex's defense and every one of his supporters. Not only did we stand with Los Angeles in the uprising against ICE raids, but we held our ground when they came for the organizers. Defending our activists and comrades is an outstanding achievement, and everyone who took part should be proud.

Alex was raided by the FBI and charged with conspiracy to commit civil disorder, and with aiding and abetting civil disorder. Trump's California crony, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, tried to put Alex behind bars for up to five years for the so-called “crime” of distributing personal protection to protesters who were facing rubber bullets and tear gas. This was an obvious attempt to stop the growing resistance against ICE and deportations across the country — and to scare activists off of the streets.

In answer, we fought back, mounted a national defense campaign, and won.

The lessons of this defense campaign are clear and important. First, it was vital for Alex and his supporters to be open about who he was, what the charges were (and how much time they carried), his reputation as a leader of Centro CSO, and that he is a member of the FRSO. Alex’s actions in the uprising were heroic, and our choice to speak freely about them won him critical support from the people.

Second, we chose to do a national mobilization filled with rallies, press conferences, public statements of support, social media blitzes and call-in days. We were determined to win in the court of public opinion. In this way, people were given ways to put pressure on the prosecution and the enemy.

Finally, there was a good and aggressive legal strategy. The legal team worked hard for the best possible outcome and took actions to prepare for a trial setting, in which we were prepared to put Trump, his administration, and U.S. Attorney Essayli on trial for criminalizing protest instead of the other way around.

The key lessons of this defense campaign are the same lessons we learned from the Anti-War 23, the defense of Carlos Montes and Rasmea Odeh, and the case of the Tampa 5. The purpose of political repression is to use fear to quell our movements and silence its leaders. If we refuse to give into fear and choose to fight back, if we go to our court appearances and look the prosecution in the eye, if we speak to the press and the masses about our cases, we stand a chance to win.

These lessons are the key to weathering the storms waiting for us. We are entering a time of heightening repression from the Trump administration. However, we are also entering a period of heightening struggle, courage and resistance from the masses, who have shown that they are willing to fight for a better world.

If we have the grit and determination to stand up to repression, we can build a revolutionary organization. The case of Alex Orellana shows us that attacks don't mean defeat, that it is right to rebel, and that in spite of repression, we have opportunities to grow and a world to win. The fight has just begun.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ImmigrantRights #FRSO #Statement #CSFR #FBI #ICE #StopFBI #CentroCSO

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.

After seven weeks of fighting a national campaign, Centro CSO stood their ground and fought the odds against political repression and intimidation and were successful. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli – Trump's lapdog – gave in to the pressure and realized that he would not win this case. As Orellana’s supporters noted at actions across the country, handing out face shields and water bottles to protesters is not a crime.

The campaign consisted of national days of action demanding that U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli drop the charges on Alejandro. Allies around the country released statements of support, held protests, made videos of support, wrote letters and flooded phone lines pressuring Essayli to drop the trumped-up charges. CSO made an impact and filled up the courtroom during Orellana’s hearings.

With their victory, Orellana and Centro CSO made it clear that it is right to rebel against inhumane injustices against Raza.

“Protesting is not a crime,” said Orellana in response to the government dropping its charges against him. “Protecting the community is not a crime. The reason we won is because we are on the right side of history and our cause is just.”

Attacks on undocumented people are only increasing, as Trump's disastrous bill will allot the ICE budget billions of dollars to meet his deportation quota by abducting innocent people from the streets and workplaces. California Chief Border Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino sees all undocumented people as criminals who should be rounded up to concentration camps and he tries to criminalize anyone who stands against abductions by masked federal agents.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #ICE #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #Feature

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 US to join a National Day of Action on August 7 and to demand that the charges on Alejandro Orellana be dropped. There is no crime in protesting ICE and deportations, protecting protesters, and speaking out against Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.

On August 7, Alejandro Orellana, an immigrants rights activist and leader in Centro Community Service Organization in East Los Angeles, will have his final pre-trial hearing. He currently faces two bogus federal charges, one of conspiracy and another to commit disorder, and is looking at up to five years in prison for protesting ICE raids in LA. The trial itself will begin on August 26.

The prosecutor and law enforcement allege that Orellana drove a truck carrying personal protective equipment (PPE) and face shields to anti-ICE protests and that this constitutes a conspiracy to commit a crime. But in our view, there is nothing wrong with bringing face shields to protests while police are shooting rubber bullets and tear gas into crowds.

In multiple instances, police have taken out protesters’ eyes with rubber bullets. Federal agents have been flouting due process, raiding workplaces and parking lots, and arresting hundreds of immigrant workers, like the 200 immigrants arrested off farms in Camarillo, California, while police brutalize protesters.

Orellana has done nothing wrong. He has dedicated over 10 years of his life to demanding justice for Chicanos and Latinos who were killed by police or who were deported. He has opposed unjust wars, and he has spoken up again and again for what is right. He represents a political threat to the Trump administration, and that is the sole reason he is being targeted.

On the other hand, the US Attorney Bilal Essayli represents the opposite. He is pursuing charges against other anti-ICE protesters, including the union president of the SEIU California, David Huerta. Huerta was held in custody on a $50,000 bail. Essayli defended Trump’s decision to use the California National Guard to quell the LA protests. Essayli carries out the MAGA agenda full-force, and he is Trump’s man in California.

It is in the interest of everyone who believes in civil liberties, the right to free speech, and the right to freedom of assembly, to demand that the charges on Orellana be dropped. Neither protesting Trump, nor ICE, nor deportations, should ever be a crime.

On August 7, we are asking everyone to:

1. Organize a protest for August 7 at a federal building, federal courthouse, or local ICE office, to demand that the US government drop the charges on Alejandro Orellana.

2. Call U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli on August 7 at 213-894-2400 and demand that the charges be dropped.

3. If you are in an organization, release a solidarity statement to demand that the charges be dropped.

4. Donate to the legal fund: Venmo @CentroCSO or Zelle CSO at: +1 (323) 580-3764

You can find flyers, materials, and case updates for Alejandro Orellana at www.stopfbi.org, on this page. Keep scrolling to find the downloadable materials.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #StopFBI #FBI #CSFR #ImmigrantRights #ICE #AlejandroOrellana #CentroCSO #Feature

New Orleans, LA – On July 11, at approximately 11:50 a.m., two FBI agents knocked on the door of local pro-Palestine activist Heather Awyan at her residence.

After identifying themselves, the FBI agents immediately began asking Awyan about “reports of antisemitic activity or internet postings.” The agents did not even ask Awyan to identify herself but wanted to know her “take” on those “reports.”

In response, Awyan stated, “I have no take because I don’t have a lawyer” and ended the interaction. Before leaving the front stoop, one agent pressed Awyan further by asking her if anyone had been harassing her. Awyan replied, “I have nothing to say to you. I don’t have any comment.” The two FBI agents walked away.

Activists should remain vigilant against political repression and harassment by knowing their rights when interacting with law enforcement. Do not speak to FBI agents under any circumstances, except to confirm your name, get their card or contact information, and decline to speak to them. Shut the door and call an attorney. More resources can be found at stopfbi.org, the website of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

The FBI knock on Awyan reflects a pattern of repression by Trump’s federal agencies against activists, journalists and organizers who speak out against U.S. imperialism, U.S. support for the genocidal state of Israel, and most recently, ICE raids and illegal abductions of immigrants.

But even in light of this repression, activists across the country have bravely resisted intimidation tactics and continued to fight within the peoples movements.

When asked if this unexpected FBI visit will affect her organizing work and solidarity with Palestine, Awyan responded, “No, not at all. There’s no stopping the billions of us worldwide who want to see a free Palestine and the freedom of all oppressed people.”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #InJusticeSystem #FBI #StopFBI #CSFR #PoliticalRepression #Feature

Santa Ana, CA – On Thursday, July 3, community members and local activists rallied in front of the Santa Ana Federal Building. They demanded U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli drop the charges against immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana. They also called for “Hands off Verita Topete!” another activist with Centro CSO who was targeted by the FBI.

“When activists are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” chanted the fiery crowd.

“Political repression is nothing new and, in the U.S., it has always been directed at the people who are on the right side of history. In the 70s, the people rose up against the war in Vietnam and to support the victory of the Vietnamese people. This was met with violence from police and military forces,” said Diana Terreros of Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Terreros continued, “We see some of the same tactics, along with deportations being used to repress our movements. First, we saw people like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi detained and threatened with deportation for leading pro-Palestine protests. And now, the National Guard and local police have been used in LA and Santa Ana to repress protests by people that are righteously angry at ICE for taking their loved ones. They’ve shot tear gas and rubber bullets, beat people with batons, and more.”

“Our sister chapter Centro CSO has been out in Boyle Heights confronting ICE and kicking them out since the racist ICE raids started in LA,” stated Rain Mendoza of Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC).

Mendoza explained, “The FBI is targeting Centro CSO for their immigrant rights activism. They raided and charged our brother Alejandro Orellana and most recently stalked and ambushed our sister Verita Topete. With the seizing of her phone, it is clear they are grasping at straws trying to find anything on our members. We know they have done nothing wrong! Protesting is not a crime!”

The crowd chanted, “Protesting is not a crime!” and “Drop the charges now!”

Mendoza continued, “We are united in this fight! We will not stop until all the charges against Alejandro Orellana are dropped! We will not stop until this FBI witch hunt against our members has stopped! As the attacks on Chicanos, Latinos, and other immigrant communities escalate, it is more important than ever to fight back against the forces that wish to stop us.”

Orange County DSA Co-chair Cal Saunders denounced Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and called for solidarity as ICE funding increases and repression gets worse. “This bill cuts $300 billion from SNAP. It cuts $930 billion from Medicaid. It cuts $170 billion from Medicare. It cuts $488 billion from clean energy. And it provides $150 billion to ICE and $150 billion to the military. This bill condemns the poor and gives permanent tax cuts to the wealthiest people in this country!”

The crowd chanted, “Chinga la Migra! Raza si, Migra no!”

The rally ended with a CSO OC member stating, “In being here today, you have demonstrated our collective solidarity with Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete. Just as we have done today, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our community, and with a shared voice, condemn the unjust repression of activists who are advocating for immigrant rights.”

To get involved with CSO OC, please visit their Instagram CSO.OC or email them at orangecountycso@gmail.com.

#SantaAnaCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #FBI #CentroCSO #CSOOC #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #ICE

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

A trial date of August 26 was set for immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana at his July 3 court appearance in front of a room packed with supporters. Orellana was arrested by the FBI on June 12 for protesting against ICE in Los Angeles. He faces up to 5 years in prison for two bogus federal charges: conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorder.

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is calling for a national day of protests on the first day of Orellana's trial, August 26th, to demand that the charges be dropped. To everyone who believes in the right to free speech, to protest ICE, and to say no to deportations, we urge you to organize a local protest on that day at the nearest federal courthouse.

Orellana has spent much of his adult life fighting for justice for Chicanos, Latinos, and many others. He has opposed the killings of Chicanos and Latinos by the LAPD, such as 14-year-old Jesse Romero, stood against US wars, protested in defense of others targeted by political repression, and has been a longtime member of the activist group, Centro CSO, based out of East LA. His life is full of examples of courage, integrity, and a dedication to justice.

In contrast, the US Attorney who charged him, Bilal Essayli, believes in Trump's racist MAGA vision and does a lot to carry it out. He defended Trump's decision to defy the state of California and deploy the California National Guard to put down anti-ICE protests. Essayli has charged other protesters, including David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, who was held on a $50,000 bond.

Another Centro CSO immigrant rights activist, Verita Topete, was ambushed by the FBI on June 26. They served her a warrant and seized her phone. Orellana and his fellow organizers like Topete stand for the community that protested Trump last month. Essayli represents Trump’s attempts to crush that movement.

This case against Orellana is political repression, meant to stop the growth of the national immigrant rights movement. The basis for his arrest was the claim that he drove a truck carrying face shields for protesters, as police geared up to put down protests with rubber bullets. People of conscience are standing with Orellana. because nothing he did or is accused of doing is wrong. There is no crime in protesting Trump, deportations, and ICE. To protest is his – and our – First Amendment right. It’s up to us to make sure that Essayli and Trump fail to repress this movement and silence Orellana's supporters.

Just as he stood up for immigrants last month, we call on everyone to stand up for Orellana on August 26 and demand the charges be dropped. On the June 27 National Day of Action for Alejandro Orellana, at least 16 cities held protests or press conferences in front of their federal courthouses. We’ll make sure there are even more on August 26. In addition to planning local protests, we ask that organizations submit statements of support and to join in the call to drop the charges.

You can find protest organizing materials on our website, stopfbi.org. Please send information about your local protests and any statements of support to stopfbi@gmail.com. We will see you in the streets!

On August 26, Protest at Your Federal Courthouse for Alejandro Orellana!

Drop the Charges Now!

Protesting ICE Is Not a Crime!

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #CSFR #StopFBI #ImmigrantRights #ICE #CentroCSO #L4A #Feature

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!”

The rally came as Orellana faces federal charges for allegedly distributing face shields and water to protesters during a demonstration against ICE in downtown Los Angeles. Verita Topete, a leader of CSO’s immigration committee, has also experienced political attacks in recent weeks for her role defending immigrant rights and speaking out against police terror. The FBI seized her phone on June 26.

Centro CSO and supporters made it clear that these charges are a part of a larger campaign of repression aimed at silencing the workers and Chicanos who are fighting back against deportations.

“We all have the same enemy – that’s Donald Trump, ICE and the state. We need to rise up and say ‘Drop the charges on Alejandro. Leave Verita alone. Hands off protesters!’” said Jared Hamil, a Teamster at Local 396 and a shop steward at UPS.

“These folks are heroes of the working class and immigrant rights movement,” said Sol Márquez of Centro CSO. “We want justice for Verita and drop the charges on Alejandro. ¡La lucha sigue, sigue!”

Speakers emphasized that the real criminals are not those fighting for justice, but the system that jails organizers, deports families and protects killer cops. As the rally ended, Centro CSO pledged to continue the fight, build solidarity and organize more actions to defend those under attack.

Organizers encouraged supporters to attend upcoming court dates in August, spread the word about the FBI repression, gather solidarity statements for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and stay in the streets until all charges are dropped and justice is won.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #ICE #FBI #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #CentroCSO

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.

During the July 3 court hearing, Judge Karen Stevenson announced that Orellana’s jury trial would start on August 26 and would take place at the First Street U.S. Courthouse. A jury will be selected for his trial.

“I’m not surprised that the Trump administration is trying to criminalize us,” says Verita Topete, “when all we are doing is advocating for our undocumented community. As another CSO member recently said, ‘It’s about power.’ Our movement will continue even if they obtain warrants to confiscate our electronic devices. Our movement will continue even if they bring back the National Guard to keep raiding more of our members! Our movement for justice will not die.”

“Today with a packed courtroom full of family and supporters,” said longtime Centro CSO member and Chicano revolutionary Carlos Montes. “I heard Alejandro loud and clear declare himself not guilty!”

Centro CSO called the press conference and rally in support of Alejandro Orellana and to demand the charges against him be dropped. Both took place outside of the federal courthouse. CSO member Avery Raimondo led the rally and spoke about how he arrived at the site of the June 12 raid shortly after Orellana was detained and taken into federal custody.

Also speaking at the press conference were Carlos Montes, Teamster member Reuben Navarrete, Teamster member Jenny Bekenstein, CSO Immigration Committee leader Jordan Peña, along with CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) member Gabriel Quiroz Jr.

Navarrete, a Teamster rank and filer like Orellana, spoke during the rally, stating, “What Alejandro is being charged with – this is not a crime! People are getting shot in the face with tear gas and rubber bullets. We shouldn’t be targeted for this; drop the charges now!”

Navarrete added, “We are honored to be part of Centro CSO and showing our support for Alejandro! He is a good person and did nothing wrong. Protesting is not a crime!”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #ICE #CSFR #L4A #CentroCSO #ImmigrantRights #StopFBI #Feature

Denver, CO – On the evening of June 27, Aurora Unidos CSO, Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee (DACAC), and rank-and-file Teamsters gathered outside the Byron Rogers Federal Building to demand that charges be dropped on Los Aneles immigrant rights activist Alejandro Orellana.

On June 12, the FBI raided Orellana’s home, supposedly for handing out masks as protection against police attacking his community. Speakers at the press conference made it clear that Orellana was being targeted for being active in the immigrant rights movement and for being a public voice against police crimes in East Los Angeles.

Members of Aurora Unidos CSO and DACAC gave speeches calling for the bogus charges on Orellana to be dropped. Caleb Cobb, a Teamster, talked about Orellana’s organizing as a fellow rank-and-file worker, ending by saying, “We have a duty as union members to stand up to all attacks against workers.”

Ella Rydwell with DACAC spoke about the repression Angela Davis faced from the FBI and the international struggle for her freedom, connecting that fight to the one being waged today for Orellana. A common theme among the speakers was that protesting is not a crime and that Orellana was only looking to defend his community.

#DenverCO #CO #InJusticeSystem #FBI #AlejandroOrellana #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #CentroCSO #DCAC #AUCSO #ImmigrantRights #ICE

Chicago, IL – On Friday, June 27, allies of the Los Angeles group Centro CSO gathered at noon in downtown Chicago for a press conference and rally in support of CSO immigrant rights activists Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete. Orellana and Topete have been targeted by the FBI in the weeks since the Los Angeles protests against ICE raids.

“We’re here to demand that the federal charges against Alejandro Orellana be dropped,” Joe Iosbaker of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, said. “Raids and federal grand juries are attacks on progressive movements, on our freedom to speak, to assemble, and to tell the government that their actions and their policies are wrong.”

On June 12, the FBI broke into Orellana’s house, and he was arrested. He is now charged with “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” and “aiding and abetting civil disorder.” These are federal offenses usually reserved for firearms infractions and carry a maximum sentence of five years. Orellana has been accused of helping to distribute face shields to fellow protesters during the LA rallies.

On June 26, the FBI ambushed Topete in a public park while she was walking her dog, executing a search warrant and seizing her phone. The reasons for taking Topete’s phone have yet to be made public.

“We’re demanding an end to the attacks on protesters,” said Iosbaker. “Protesting ICE raids and deportations is not a crime.”

Joining the Committee to Stop FBI Repression at the press conference was the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression’s Immigrant Rights Working Committee, Casa DuPage Worker’s Center, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and the United States Palestinian Community Network.

The press conference was planned in support of the National Day of Action called for by the Legalization for All network. Included in the press conference was an ask for call-ins to federal prosecutor Bill Essayli’s office to demand the charges be dropped.

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #L4A #CSFR #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellana #VeritaTopete #FBI #ICE #CentroCSO #Feature

Tampa, FL – On a loud and busy intersection in front of Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse on Friday morning, June 27, members of three groups – Tampa Immigrants Rights Committee, Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society – gathered to rally in solidarity with two Los Angeles activists targeted by the FBI for their political beliefs and for standing with their communities. They read statements in in solidarity with Alejandro Orellana and Verita Topete.

The rally was held in conjunction with rallies across the country demanding the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli drop the charges against Orellana.

As the speakers explained, Orellana was arrested by the FBI on June 12, during the height of the uprising in LA, on the bogus and absurd charges of “conspiracy to commit civil disturbance” and “aiding and abetting a civil disorder.” Vertia Topete was ambushed and roughed up by FBI agents who took her phone to further harass immigrant rights activists.

Both Orellana and Topete are longtime members of Centro CSO. The federal government uses conspiracy charges, as they did with a case of political repression local to the Tampa area, the Uhuru 3, when they cannot prove an actual crime has occurred and want to punish someone for their political beliefs.

Joe Nohava with Tampa Immigrants’ Rights Committee declared, “We believe Alejando has done nothing wrong. He is targeted for protesting ICE raids and deportations. We believe that protesting ICE is not a crime!”

Laura Rodriguez, with TAARPR, said of this repression, “These charges were brought by the FBI who has the sole intent of destroying community organizing, of destroying people power, of destroying our rights and civil liberties.”

The rally concluded with a call to continue to protest and stand with Orellana throughout his court process and trial and demand the charges be dropped.

#TampaFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #ImmigrantRights #FBI #ICE #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellana #VertiaTopete

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.

The press conference was the first time Orellana has spoken out since his arrest. He thanked people for supporting him and helping him fight his charges.

Longtime Chicano activist Carlos Montes stated, “Trump has made it part of his agenda to go after immigrants, specifically Mexican and Central American immigrants. We have a long history of resistance against racism here in East LA and Boyle Heights. We call it the Chicano movement.”

On June 12, the FBI broke into Orellana’s home. He was arrested and now faces federal charges for “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” and “aiding and abetting civil disorder.”

On June 26, Topete was aggressively ambushed by the FBI in a park where they issued her a search warrant and seized her phone.

Both activists are being targeted for protesting the violent ICE raids throughout Los Angeles.

Centro CSO led the event alongside allied organizations Union del Barrio, Black Lives Matter-LA, Proyecto Pastoral, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Boyle Heights Catholic Worker. Community activists, union members and media gathered to rally and support the demands.

Sammy Carrera, a sanitation worker and Teamster, drew the comparison to other historic activists who have been targeted by the FBI. Carrera told the crowd, “Sixty years ago COINTELPRO sent MLK a letter telling him to unalive himself. Fast forward 60 years later in 2024, they put out a tweet to commemorate the legacy of MLK. In 60 years will they tweet about Alejandro Orellana, or will they tweet about Verita Topete? Will they tweet about the organized resistance and rebellions that we saw in southeast LA, Paramount and other parts of the city? As an organized community we will continue to make history on our own terms. We will continue to defend ourselves from ICE terrorism by any means necessary.”

Amanda Díaz, a leader of Centro CSO, reminded the crowd of what the protests are really about. First describing the brutal conditions people face in detention centers, she went on to explain, “Immigration detention in this country is a multi-billion dollar business, with private prisons companies and billionaires making billions of dollars off of the pain and suffering of our community members and loved ones. Almost 90% of people in ICE custody are held in facilities run by for-profit, private companies.”

The event coincided with a National Day of Action called for by the Legalization For All (L4A) network, which mobilized protests for Alejandro Orellana in dozens of cities across the country. The L4A network also organized a call-in action to federal prosecutor Bill Essayli to demand the charges be dropped.

You can follow Orellana's case on www.stopfbi.org.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellano #CSFR #Feature

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.

Topete has been very actively and publicly fighting back against the ICE raids that have terrorized Los Angeles and surrounding cities since the raids began spreading on June 6.

Topete helped lead protests and marches against deportations and demanding legalization for all. She has led barrio walks to inform people of their rights and has helped individuals defend themselves from being kidnapped by ICE and collaborating agencies.

The raid happens two weeks after another CSO member, Alejandro Orellana, was raided and arrested by the FBI at his home on June 12 and charged with “conspiracy to commit civil disorders” and “aiding and abetting to commit civil disorders.” Topete helped organize to free Alejandro Orellana from jail and continues to speak out against his bogus charges.

“They’re trying to politically repress us because we are out here trying to stop the violent ice raids,” said Topete.

In response to the people of Los Angeles erupting in protests against the ICE raids for the last three weeks, Trump has deployed thousands of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to suppress demonstrations. Now the federal government is going after individual leaders of the movement.

“Protesting is not a crime, speaking up to demand an end to ICE raids is not a crime,” Centro CSO wrote in their statement about the raid, “Verita Topete did nothing wrong! Verita has been in front of cameras speaking on the work by Centro CSO and mobilizing against ICE raids. The FBI is trying to intimidate us and our organization but we will not be intimidated.”

Centro CSO will be holding a press conference and rally to demand the charges against Alejandro Orellana be dropped and Justice for Verita Topete at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27 at Ruben Salazar Park, 3864 Whittier Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90023.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #StopFBI #CentroCSO #Feature

The Legalization for All (L4A) Network is calling on all affiliated immigrant rights organizations and supporters to mobilize an action in support of Alejandro Orellana on June 27th, or participate in a national call-in day against U.S. Attorney Bilal “Bill” Essayli.

Immigrant rights hero Alejandro Orellana (he/they) of East Los Angeles was violently raided in early morning by the FBI, National Guard, and the East Los Angeles Sheriffs on June 12th. A member of Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) for nearly a decade, Alejandro has mobilized countless actions for immigrant and worker rights. He was born and raised in East LA, attended local schools, and has no record. Alejandro became inspired when they were in the U.S. Marines reserve and witnessed how Trump’s first administration was targeting activists who were fighting back against police brutality of Chicanos, African Americans, and the working-class. He is also a proud Teamster union member.

Alejandro is being charged by the Federal U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli with “conspiracy to commit civil disorders” and “aiding and abetting to commit civil disorders.” These felony charges could land Alejandro in prison for 5 years! Alejandro has done nothing wrong, speaking out against ICE terror, raids and deportations is not a crime, protesting is not a crime! As Chicanos, Mexicanos, Centroamericanos around the country are being racially profiled and viscously kidnapped, activists like Alejandro have every right to speak out.

Their next hearing is set for June 27th in Los Angeles, and this is why we are calling on all to mobilize a solidarity action or to pick up their phones. We are asking that all call Attorney Essayli at (213) 894-2400. Read the following, “My name is (your name) from (your city and / or organization), demanding that Attorney Bill drop the charges against immigrant rights hero Alejandro Orellana!”

Protesting is not a crime, fighting against ICE terror is not a crime! Legalization for all and stop the ICE raids now!

Drop the Charges on Alejandro Orellana!

#ImmigrantRights #L4A #Statement #AlejandroOrellana #StopFBI #FBI #PoliticalRepression #InJusticeSystem

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

On the morning of June 12, the FBI, accompanied by the National Guard and LA sheriffs, raided the home of Alejandro Orellana for his protesting of ICE raids in Los Angeles. He was arrested, taken into federal custody, then released the next day – after much public pressure and many phone calls to the U.S. Attorney.

Now he faces two bogus federal charges: one for conspiracy to commit civil disorder and another for aiding and abetting civil disorder. He is facing serious prison time.

Alejandro Orellana is a longtime activist in LA’s Chicano community. When immigrant rights are under attack – he helps organize the protests. When law enforcement guns down people in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, Orellana is one of the speakers on the bullhorn demanding justice. He is a Teamster, who is an activist on the shop floor. As a former marine, he is opposed to unjust U.S. wars abroad.

In Los Angeles, ICE agents, the National Guard, Department of Homeland Security agents, and U.S. troops are roaming the streets. Wearing masks to hide their identities, they abduct undocumented people, tearing apart families in the process.

The people of LA have a right to protest. Standing up to ICE is not a crime. The charges against Alejandro Orellana should be dropped. Now!

The Committee to Stop FBI Repression has called for a National Day of Action on June 27, the date of Orellana's preliminary hearing. We are calling on all those who value civil liberties to hold actions on that day. We are calling on all supporters of Orellana to call U.S. Attorney Essayli at 213-894-2400 on June 27 as well.

The U.S attorney claims that Orellana drove a pickup truck carrying PPE (personal protective equipment) including face shields, and that this is their basis for arresting and charging him. In our view, there's nothing wrong with looking out for people’s safety. Police often shoot rubber bullets, as a result there are multiple cases of protesters losing eyes. Helping to prevent this is a good thing.

The California Central District U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli who filed the charges against Orellana was appointed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, a dedicated Trump supporter who helped build his MAGA think tank. He is Trump’s man in California.

Essayli has pursued charges against other anti-ICE protesters, such as David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, who was held on a $50,000 bail. Essayli is the legal representative of the Trump administration in the court battle over who controls California’s National Guard. In his time as a California state legislator, Essayli authored bills targeting parents of trans kids and criminalizing the teaching of “critical race theory.” He has revealed himself to be an all-around opponent of democratic rights and anything progressive

The Trump administration and its tools such as U.S. Attorney Essayli are out to crush any dissent of Trump's immigration policy. They seek to trample the First Amendment rights of protesters in order to do it. Orellana's activism is the real reason he is in the FBI and prosecutors' sights. An attack on Orellana dis an attack on anyone who cherishes the right to resist mass deportations and the many other wrongdoings of the Trump administration.

You can follow Orellana's case on www.stopfbi.org.

Drop the Charges!

Protesting ICE Is Not a Crime!

#ImmigrantRights #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #FBI #StopFBI #AlejandroOrellano #CSFR #Feature

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from National Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).

On June 12, 2025, the FBI raided the home of Alejandro “Alex” Orellana in Los Angeles and arrested him on bogus charges. Alex is a leading member of Centro CSO, a Chicano community organization that opposes deportations and defends immigrant rights. He is being charged with “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” because of his participation in protests against ICE in LA. These charges are politically motivated and could carry a sentence of up to 5 years in prison.

Alex was released on bail, but the FBI refuses to drop the charges. His preliminary hearing and court appearance is on June 27, and we are calling on all supporters to mobilize for him and to call the U.S. Attorney’s office demanding the charges be dropped. All our chapters and affiliates and any organizations who support him should protest that day, speak out, and issue public statements of support.

Alejandro is innocent! He is a courageous organizer and a role model for his community and our shared movement. His arrest by the FBI and the charges they brought against him are blatant political repression—no ifs, ands, or buts!

The resistance of the immigrants and Chicano and Latino community across Southern California, and the immigrants’ rights movement across all of the U.S., is showing us the way. Our movement’s growing power has become a real threat to the Trump administration and the far right. Their retaliation is evidence of their fear.

SDS stands with Alejandro Orellana and demands the FBI immediately drop all charges.

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #StudentMovement #SDS #Statement #ICE #FBI #StopFBI

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!

From its role in the killing and imprisonment of Black Panthers to its current role targeting activists organizing against racist ICE raids and deportations in predominantly Chicano and Latino neighborhoods, the FBI remains a vicious weapon of repression deployed against the movements of oppressed peoples.

The struggle is sharp in Los Angeles. The repression is intensifying, and the Trump administration is making it clear they have no plans to loosen up. Now is the time to stand in unconditional solidarity with Orellana, the people of Los Angeles, and with all immigrant communities under attack. Anything less than solidarity with Orellana and immigrant and Chicano communities would be a victory for the enemy, the same enemy responsible for the racist policing that kills record numbers every year.

We are entering another major wave of struggle. The only way to not be washed away by it is to take it to the streets and continue working with the broader masses opposing these racist raids and deportations and the Trump agenda. The struggle continues, and NAARPR will do all it can to defend Orellana and those being targeted by the Trump agenda.

Call U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli at 213-894-2400 and tell him to drop the charges! We also encourage all our chapters and affiliates to participate in the Legalization For All’s Week of Action June 14-22, calling for ICE and the National Guard to get out of our communities and for Orellana’s charges to be dropped!

Drop the charges!

ICE out of everywhere!

Community Control of the Police now!

#ImmigrantsRights #LosAngelesCA #CentroCSO #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #AlejandroOrellana #NAARPR #StopFBI #CSFR #L4A #FBI #ICE

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

In April 2025, San Jose anti-war activist Alex Dillard was subjected to the execution of a federal search warrant. FBI agents raided his home and seized his personal electronic devices, seeking evidence of alleged ties to Russia and implying that he may have been acting as a foreign agent.

We, as members of the San Jose community as well as the broad progressive people's movements in the U.S. and around the world, stand in solidarity with Alex against these attacks. We assert that these accusations are entirely baseless. They constitute a clear act of political retaliation against Alex's First Amendment-protected beliefs, activities, and associations.

This incident is not isolated. It reflects a broader pattern of repression by federal agencies against activists, journalists, and organizers who speak out against U.S. imperialism, war, and systemic injustice. From the surveillance and harassment of the Black liberation movement to the targeting of Palestinian solidarity organizers, the U.S. government has repeatedly sought to silence dissent through intimidation and legal persecution.

We condemn this latest act of state repression in the strongest terms. Such tactics are designed to instill fear, disrupt organizing efforts, and criminalize activism. But we refuse to be intimidated. Our community stands united in defense of the right to dissent and to challenge U.S. militarism, corporate greed, and state violence—no matter how aggressively the government attempts to suppress these voices.

We call on all allies, activists, and organizations committed to justice to sign onto this solidarity statement and to remain vigilant and to push back against these escalating attacks. The government’s efforts to conflate activism with “foreign influence” are a transparent attempt to justify repression—but we will not allow these tactics to silence us. We will continue to speak out, organize, and resist. Solidarity, not silence, is our answer to repression.

Activism is not a crime. Opposing war and genocide is not a crime. Hands off our movements!

Sign onto the statement here: tinyurl.com/handsoffantiwar

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #CSFR #StopFBI #AntiWarMovement