Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

In-Justice System

By staff

A group of people holding signs in front of a stage.

Jacksonville, FL – Over 100 community members gathered at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, August 9, to demand justice for William McNeil Jr.

McNeil was brutally beaten by a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) officer after a traffic stop in February 2025. The officer shattered McNeil’s car window, forcibly removed him from the vehicle, and assaulted him. The protest, organized by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) in collaboration with McNeil’s family, amplified calls for accountability.

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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 Kaya Rial and Gabe Miller

A group of people posing in front of a courthouse.

Chicago, IL – Activists gathered at the Cook County Courthouse Wednesday morning, August 6 to support three survivors of wrongful conviction. They demanded freedom and certificates of innocence for Rico Clark, Douglas Livingston and Kevin Jackson. They also demanded that torture-cops Brian Forberg, John Foster and Kevin Eberle be held accountable for the wrongful convictions of Clark, Livingston, Jackson, and 38 other Black men.

“We won’t stop fighting until all our loved ones are free from these god-forsaken slave ships,” said Jasmine Smith, loved one of Rico Clark and co-chair of the Campaign to Free Incarcerated Survivors of Torture (CFIST), at a press conference in the courthouse.

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By Kobi Guillory

A group of protesters attending a city council meeting.

Oak Lawn, IL- 30 people shut down the monthly meeting of the Oak Lawn Police and Fire Commission on Wednesday night, August 6. They demanded an independent investigation into the racism of the Oak Lawn Police Department.

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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.

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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.

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By Kenya Smith

A group of protesters standing on steps.

Jacksonville, FL – The Jacksonville Community Action Committee, the Families of William McNeil Jr and Charles Faggart, along with dozens of other community members gathered at the steps of State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office Saturday, August 2. The emergency rally was in response to the viral video showing the brutalization of William McNeil Jr. during a traffic stop. They demanded the reopening of the investigation into McNeil’s case, and justice for all victims of police terror.

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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.

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By Anthony Renzetti

A group of people in a cafe listening to someone speak.

Orlando, FL – On July 26, members of the Orlando community gathered for an educational panel covering the history of policing and the fight for community control. The event was hosted by Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) at The Drunken Monkey coffee bar, located in the Mills 50 district of Orlando.

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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.

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By Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad

El 29 de julio, el pueblo logró una gran victoria: ¡los dos cargos federales inventados en contra de Alejandro Orellana, activista de Los Ángeles por los derechos de los inmigrantes, fueron retirados!

La Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad aclama a todos los que respondieron al llamado nacional para movilizarse en defensa de Alex y a cada persona que lo apoyó. No sólo nos solidarizamos con Los Ángeles en el levantamiento contra las redadas de ICE, sino que mantuvimos firmeza cuando vinieron por los organizadores. Defender a nuestros activistas y camaradas es un logro extraordinario, y cada participante debe sentirse orgulloso.

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By Ash Stewack

A group of protesters holding signs.

Chicago, IL – Chicago's Area 5 Police Districts had a special meeting on Monday, July 28, in response to community outrage over slow investigation into sexual assaults. The commander tasked with helping residents “learn more about how CPD works” was John Foster, who is linked to multiple cases of wrongful convictions. Survivors of police torture and their allies confronted Foster and demanded his removal from CPD.

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By Freedom Road Socialist Organization

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.

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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.

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By staff

A classroom full of people listening to a person speaking.

Colorado Springs, CO – On July 21, the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression rallied community forces to support the family of Alex Martinez and confront the city’s Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission after the release of police body-cam footage. A crowd of about 20 community members joined the sister and mother-in-law of Alex Martinez. Many community members and organizers gave public comment demanding accountability, transparency and an independent investigation into the police shooting of Alex Martinez.

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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.

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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.

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By staff

A tent with a banner demanded the arrest of police who murdered a man.

Milwaukee, WI – In July, 2024 the racist and reactionary Republican Party descended on Milwaukee to hold its national convention and select a nominee for president. For years, community organizers had demanded that the city of Milwaukee give guarantees and concrete plans to stop the thousands of out-of-town police that came for the convention from committing crimes in the city with no accountability or oversight. City leaders dismissed these concerns, but on July 16, 2024, five officers from Columbus, Ohio murdered Samuel “Jah” Sharpe Jr.

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By Anthony Renzetti

A group of protesters holding signs.

Orlando, FL – On July 16, community members and organizers with Orlando Against Police Crimes (OAPC) attended a spaghetti dinner hosted by a local news station to demand answers from Orange County Sheriff John Mina.

The mobilization, organized by OAPC, sought answers and accountability from Sheriff Mina regarding the victims of police crimes. The extrajudicial murders of Luis Lopez and Tyrone Bartley committed by the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) were emphasized.

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By staff

A group of protestors hold a press conference in an ornate hall, holding large paper cutouts of slushie drinks with writing on them.

Chicago, IL – On Wednesday morning, July 16, hundreds of people packed the Chicago city hall lobby ahead of the city council meeting. Many youth and community organizations stood united in opposition to the racist snap curfew ordinance that was put forward by Alderman Brian Hopkins two months before. This snap curfew would give the Chicago Police Department unchecked power in the instance of a mass gathering to institute a curfew with only 30 minutes notice and engage in mass arrests.

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