Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

In-Justice System

By Gabriel Quiroz Jr.

The family of Jeremy Flores stands holding "Wanted" signs that feature the killer cops who took Jeremy Flores' life.

Los Angeles, CA — On August 28, authorities released highly-edited footage of the shooting of Jeremy Flores, a Chicano who lived in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. Flores was killed by LAPD Hollenbeck Division officers on July 14.

Under two California Laws passed in 2018, AB 748 and SB 1421, the LAPD was forced to release body-worn footage 45 days after the killing of Jeremy Flores. Despite the omission of the head-on footage of the officers firing the lethal shots that stole Flores’ life, the video still shows the atrocities they committed on July 14.

Flores was holding a toy when he was killed – an airsoft BB gun. No aid was rendered for hours. SWAT fired tear gas at his body.

A drone was deployed and is shown in the newly released video approaching Flores’ deceased body. Though he was slumped over his seat, officers are heard in the video ordering Flores to comply and to exit the vehicle. The DOJ is investigating the shooting.

Since his killing, Flores family, along with Centro CSO and supportive Raza, have been fighting and demanding the unedited body cam footage be released by LAPD.

The struggle for accountability and justice has been led by the family of Jeremy Flores and Centro CSO for the past 45 days since his murder. There have been press conferences, protests and marches to police stations and comments made at LAPD commission meetings.

When Paola Mendez, the girlfriend of Jeremy Flores, was asked about the video, she responded, “They used the phrase ‘didn’t comply’ to shield their department – but the truth is, Jeremy wasn’t resisting. He was unresponsive, dying from the very gunshot wounds they inflicted. To claim Jeremy ‘refused to exit the vehicle’ – before being shot at and after – is not only misleading, it’s a cruel manipulation of the facts.”

Mendez continued, “Jeremy was wearing a seatbelt. He was gravely injured. He could not move. The so-called ‘weapon’ was on his lap, not in his hands, and there is no evidence whatsoever that he pointed it at anyone. He was dying, not defying. Suggesting he had the ability to comply after being shot is not just dishonest, it’s an attempt to rewrite the truth and erase accountability. We will not allow this narrative to stand unchallenged. Jeremy deserves justice, not distortion.”

“This demands to be addressed. What happened to Jeremy was not just unfair – it was a brutal misuse of power,” said Mendez. ”The force used against him was excessive and unjustified. And now, the body cam footage released to the public tells a distorted story. It’s been selectively edited to reflect their narrative, not the truth. Key moments are missing. Context is erased. This is not transparency, it’s manipulation. We will not stay silent while they rewrite reality to protect themselves.”

Sergio Flores, the brother of Jeremy Flores, said of the highly-edited body cam footage, “It’s insane how a badge gives you the right to kill people and walk freely but if it’s done without it, you’re a monster and in prison for life. It’s a sad world we live in. Justice for my little brother Jeremy!”

Flores also called out Bruce Cross, the officer seen narrating the video that LAPD posted. Flores said, “Bruce Coss had the audacity to say that once my brother was dead, Jeremy Flores was taken into custody without further incident. My brother was dead way before that! The killers and everyone involved should be locked in prison for life, not out here ‘protecting the streets.’ You’re who we have to watch out for!”

Beña Martinez, a member of Centro CSO, said, “This is a clear injustice, and the rifle-bearing officer especially took the law into his own hands and deserves to be jailed. He stripped Jeremy Flores of any rights afforded under our laws when he decided he was judge, jury and executioner instead of an investigating officer.”

“When I see Jeremy’s family, I am reminded of Boyle Heights circa 2016,” said Sol Márquez of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). Marquez lived next door to the apartment complex where 14-year-old undocumented Chicano Jesse Romero frequented. He was chased by LAPD killer cops Eden Medina and Alejandro Higareda on August 9, 2016, shot and killed, despite Romero holding his hands up. “If we let LAPD get away with it, nobody will be punished or held accountable for taking Jeremy’s life. If he was doing something wrong, he could have had his day in court. Even monsters like Trump get a day in court. This is why we will keep uplifting his name and fighting to prosecute Jeremy’s killers.”

LAPD has shot at least 18 Chicanos in Boyle Heights since 2015. Centro CSO is the only organization on the ground in Boyle Heights fighting back against police terror. Centro CSO fights alongside impacted family members, who are working-class Chicanos, as they fight for justice for their loved ones.

CSO uplifts the demands of “Jail killer cops” and “Community control of police” while wanting an end to the killing of Raza and Black People. Centro CSO demands that LAPD Hollenbeck officers Fernando R Godinez, Livier Jimenez and Michael R Ruiz be charged with the murder of Jeremy Flores!

You can keep up with Centro CSO on all social media platforms.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #KillerCops #PoliceCrimes #CentroCSO #JeremyFlores

By Merawi Gerima

Washington DC protest against Trump's occupation of the city.

Washington, DC – Before organizers from the DC Against Trump Coalition (DCAT) even finished setting up for their August 23 rally at 14th and U Streets in Northwest Washington DC, community members began spontaneously chanting “Fuck Trump!”

Anti-Trump sentiment has been sky-high in Washington, DC since August 11, when Trump issued an executive order sweeping away the city’s home rule powers, federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department and flooding the city with federal law enforcement and National Guard troops.

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By Isa Madrid-Lilly

Terry Lovett demands justice for her murdered son, Jalani Lovett.

Oakland CA – On August 19, community members, families impacted by police violence, and anti-police violence organizations gathered at the office of Attorney General of California Rob Bonta to demand an end to racist police killings.

The rally was part of a statewide action led by Terry Lovett, mother of Jalani Lovett who was killed in the Los Angeles Men's Central Jail in 2021. The Oakland Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (OAARPR) helped organize the action, supported by local unions including the ILWU Local 10 and ATU Local 1555. Similar rallies occurred at his offices in Los Angeles and San Diego.

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By Sarina E. Ouellette

Aurora, CO – On August 16, the Denver Aurora Community Action Committee (DACAC) and community supporters gathered at Firehouse Station 2 for an all-ages community fair. The event called “FUNd the Fight,” raised funds for the Dillard family, who has been facing financial hardship while simultaneously fighting for justice for Kory Dillard.

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By staff

PCIA, FPEA FIRE Caucus, and Community Members rally outside of the Franklin Pierce School District Building.  | Kim Bond/Fight Back! News

Parkland, WA – On Tuesday, August 19, about 50 community members, labor and immigrant rights activists rallied outside of the Franklin Pierce School District Building to celebrate the school board’s decision to cancel their contract with the Pierce County Sheriff’s office.

The decision will reallocate $341,920 in district funds that had previously gone toward a contract with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Keith Swank has previously stated that he intends to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), though county and state policies limit such collaboration.

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By staff

LA protest demands justice for David Ordaz, Jr.

Los Angeles, CA – On Wednesday, August 20, community members and organizers from Centro CSO joined the family of David Ordaz Jr. to protest outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. They demanded justice for Ordaz Jr. who was murdered by East Los Angeles Deputy Remin Pineda and three other deputies on March 14, 2021 in East LA.

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By staff

Dallas event promotes vendors who are facing harassment from police.

Dallas TX – Members of NAARPR Dallas gathered to host a raffle, August 15, to promote vendors’ businesses at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, Texas. For more than a year, Dallas police have been harassing and kicking out the vendors at the bridge. In one case last summer, DPD officers pinned down a vendor and sprayed her directly in the face with mace.

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By Kayla Nguyen

Chicago protest against deployment of National Guard and federal law enforcement onto the streets of Washington DC.

Chicago, IL – 150 protesters gathered in Federal Plaza on Thursday to stand up against Trump’s threats of military occupation and demand an end to racist policing. The protest and march that followed were organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR).

Patricia Williams, one of CAARPR’s co-chairs, opened the rally by reading a letter from the sickbed of Frank Chapman, executive director of the National Alliance (NAARPR).

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By Cas Casanova

PAARPR members and Aaron Rainey’s family in the district attorney’s office, demanding answers regarding Rainey’s case.

Philadelphia, PA – On the morning of Thursday, August 14, about a dozen members of the Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (PAARPR) held a press conference at the Philadelphia City Hall to demand justice for Aaron Rainey and shed light on his case.

Aaron Rainey, a 36-year-old Black man, was shot and killed in March of this year by Philadelphia police officers while experiencing a mental health crisis. The names of the officers involved have not been released.

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By African-American Commission of FRSO

The African American Commission of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization condemns the occupation of Washington DC by Trump in his deployment of the National Guard and federal police to DC’s streets. Trump, at the press conference announcing his decision Monday, evoked Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act, which allows for the federal government to take direct control of the DC Metro Police. Trump in his press conference talked about giving DC police the power to do “whatever the hell they want.”

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By Merawi Gerima

Washington DC protest against placing the MPD under federal control and the deployment of federal law enforcement in the city.

Washington, DC – On the evening of Wednesday August 13, the DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (DCAARPR) organized a demonstration in Ward 7, a primarily Black ward, and one of the most overpoliced sections of the city.

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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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