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.
Colorado Springs, CO – On July 6, the family and friends of Alex Martinez gathered to mourn their loss after his life was taken by the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) the previous morning.
Over 50 people gathered with candles and balloons around a shrine erected in the spot in the downtown parking lot where CSPD shot Martinez in the back. Wails and cries could be heard throughout the crowd as dozens of balloons took to the skies.
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.
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.
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!”
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.
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.
Oak Lawn, IL – 50 people rallied outside the Oak Lawn Village Hall on Wednesday evening, July 2, before the monthly meeting of the Oak Lawn Police and Fire Commission. The Arab community and allies have shown up at every meeting for three years to challenge the racism of the Oak Lawn Police Department (OLPD).
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.”
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.
New York, NY – Family, friends and community members came together this week for two events to demand justice for Eudes Pierre and celebrate what should have been his 30th birthday.
Minneapolis, MN – Immigrant rights protesters gathered at Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue in Minneapolis June 27. This action was part of a National Day of Action called by the Legalization for All Network and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.
Jacksonville, FL – Chants of “Drop the charges!” echoed outside the federal courthouse Thursday, June 27, as dozens of protesters stood in solidarity with Alejandro Orellana, a Los Angeles immigrant rights organizer facing politically-motivated federal charges. The powerful demonstration coincided with Orellana's first scheduled court hearing since his June 12 arrest by FBI agents targeting his activism against ICE raids.
“Drop the charges on Alejandro. Stop the FBI witch hunt,” declared one speaker at the rally. “We just wanna be out here fighting for the same things that other people are fighting for.”
New Orleans, LA – On June 27 at noon, a crowd rallied against FBI repression in front of the New Orleans Immigration Court. Local activists called the rally in coordination with a National Day of Action for Alejandro Orellana, an immigrant rights activist in East LA. Orellana is facing federal charges for protesting recent ICE raids in Los Angeles.
“El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” chanted activist Toni Jones. “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. If we don’t stand with Alejandro against these bogus charges then who will stand up for us?”
Santa Ana, CA – On Friday June 27, about a dozen family members and Community Service Organization Orange County (CSO OC) activists held a press conference inside of the OC Superior Court to demand justice for Imanol Salvador Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was a resident of Santa Ana and only 19 years old when he was killed by off-duty LAPD officer Carlos Coronel on February 1. According to a statement released by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, officer Coronel was driving through the city of Tustin after a night of heavy drinking when he struck Gonzalez with his pickup truck.
