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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Los Angeles, CA – On the morning of July 14, a 26-year-old Chicano named Jeremy Flores was murdered by LAPD Hollenbeck killer cops.
Flores was sitting in his work van in Boyle Heights. LAPD received a call of a person allegedly armed with a rifle and officers opened fire at about 8:30 a.m., striking and killing Flores upon contact. This happened near the intersection of Spence Street and Olympic Boulevard.
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.
