Los Angeles, CA – On April 12 and 13 immigrant rights activists and organizations will be convening at the Emergency Southwest Summit Against Deportations in the historic Chicano community of Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

This Emergency Southwest Summit is an opportunity for immigrant rights activists to come together in the Southwest, historically significant for Chicanos and Mexicanos, to share lessons on how to organize and successfully fight back against Trump’s and ICE attacks.

Since Trump’s Inauguration, there has been a surge of militant protests and struggle throughout the country, and masses of Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans have taken to the streets to fight the Trump administration’s deportation campaign.

Grassroots and community activists have fought against ICE attacks, leading thousands in marches in cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis and San José. Students have joined mass high school walkouts. Rapid response networks and neighborhood defense groups have sprung into action to keep community members safe from ICE.

The Emergency Southwest Summit Against Deportations will take place over the course of two days on April 12 and 13. This summit is sponsored by Centro CSO, the La Mesa Brown Berets, MEchA Santee HS, and Legalization for All Network. We are calling on all immigrant rights activists in the Southwest and nationwide to join us. We must oppose the use of ICE and the threat of deportations in the U.S. Trump's attacks against undocumented immigrants are a threat to all whether we are immigrants, Chicano, Mexicano or Central American. Build the movement against Trump. No deportations!

Speakers at the summit will include Carlos Montes, lifelong activist in the Chicano movement; Luna Baez, daughter of detained Colorado community activist Jeanette Viguerra; Elvira Arellano, Chicago sanctuary activist, and Amerika Garcia Grewal of the Eagle Pass Border Coalition.

Register online at: https://tinyurl.com/summitagainstdeportations

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #L4A #Featured

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, March 20, postal workers in Los Angeles joined a national day of action to protest against the government’s threat to privatize the U.S. Postal Service. The theme of the protest was “U.S. mail is not for sale.”

Workers from various postal locations rallied and marched at the entrance and along the sidewalk at a post office on Central Avenue, waving homemade signs at the cars passing by and handing out informational flyers to workers who were walking into the station.

The day of action comes after the Trump administration has threatened to transfer the U.S. Postal Service, which currently operates as an independent agency under the executive branch, to the control of the Commerce Department. This could allow for privatization, which would likely raise prices and limit access to services in certain areas.

“Rain, sleet or snow the mail always goes,” said Tarsha Davis, a four-year USPS worker and American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 64 shop steward who works out of the Central Avenue building, “I’m here to protect the postal service, to make sure the people still have the service as well as employees having their jobs. Family and homes are gonna be affected in so many ways, whether it’s workers getting a check in the mail or people receiving the mail.”

Workers are concerned that if the USPS were to be privatized, the service would be motivated by profits rather than providing an essential service. Tyatta Jordan, an 18-year USPS worker and APWU Local 64 shop steward said, “U.S. mail is not for sale. We have to protect the people’s post office. We want to make sure that we keep our jobs, we want to keep it a public service and we don’t want to turn it into a business where they raise prices.”

Jordan is also concerned that privatization would threaten the rights they have as union workers, stating, “It can affect our union because if we go private they can lay off people, they can get rid of our CBA [collective bargaining agreement] and union all together. Without the union we stand no chance.”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #Labor #Featured

Los Angeles, CA – On March 8, activists from Centro CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization met up in Boyle Heights for their eighth annual celebration marking International Women’s Day. This year’s event featured a panel with speakers from different areas of work that Centro CSO is focused on such as immigration, education, and police brutality, as well as a labor activist from Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and a keynote speaker from the LAUSD school board.

The event was held at Casa 0101, a local theater in Boyle Heights. The speakers shared how they got involved in activism, and what it’s like to be women fighting for a cause like education or working in the labor movement.

Amanda Diaz Sanchez, an immigrant rights activist with Centro CSO said, “As we fight for immigrant rights, being a woman in the movement means always having to recenter women’s issues. In our movement, reproductive justice and paid family leave are always seen as separate issues, but being a woman who has experienced these issues means bringing that back and connecting the dots to other things that are happening to us.”

Hannah Keith, a shop steward and trade union activist out of UPS Olympic spoke out about the discrimination she faces as a trans woman, saying, “There are a lot of coworkers who have a problem with the way that I am, but they’ll still come to me for help as a shop steward. And I have no problem helping them, because I know my co-workers who are uncomfortable with me being trans aren’t the enemy, it’s the supervisors, but in order for me to help them confront the boss I have to meet them where they’re at.”

After the panelists concluded their portion of the event, Dr. Rocio Rivas, an LAUSD school board member, gave the keynote speech for the event. She spoke about her upbringing, and how public education was something she fell in love with at a young age, saying “Education can be a tool for escaping oppression. They wanted to keep us ignorant, not giving us the education we deserved. That was the beginning of my activism.” She went on to say, “When we have this knowledge, we know how to fight back against what they’ve been doing to our people for centuries.”

When asked about the event, Juliana Regalado, an activist with Centro CSO and the emcee for the evening, said, “It’s important to celebrate women’s contributions and achievements throughout history because it shows us how far we’ve come and what work still needs to be done. This was an excellent event, and it felt good celebrating and uplifting a few of the many strong women I organize with.”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #WomensMovement #InternationalWomensDay #CentroCSO #FRSO

Los Angeles, CA – On Thursday, February 27, at 6 p.m., Chicanos packed an East Los Angeles town hall meeting that was put on by the Civilian Oversight Commission of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and LA County. Over 60 Chicanos from East Los Angeles and the immediate surrounding area joined the meeting, both in person and virtually, to denounce the attacks on Raza by the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

The town hall meeting was held at the East Los Angeles Service Center, with every seat filled and a large queue online. LA County officials held the event in response to consistent organizing by Centro CSO. In October 2024, the Dodgers won first the pennant and then the World Series. On both days, Chicanos took to the streets of East Los Angeles to peacefully assemble, wave flags, dance and celebrate. This joy was met with brutal repression by sheriff's deputies, who attacked Raza with tear gas and other munitions. On the night of October 20, the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department indiscriminately fired tear gas into the crowd of families, including children. Two Centro CSO members were teargassed alongside them.

Since that day, Centro CSO and other East LA community organizers, like Lorraine Quinones, have fought nonstop to get justice. The East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (ELASD) were also seen wearing Fort Apache pins that night, which is a racist logo tracing its origins back to the 1970 Chicano Moratorium when East LA deputies beat and killed Chicanos.

Centro CSO has spent months organizing to get justice for the Chicano Dodger fans and to ban the Fort Apache Logo. Carlos Montes, a longtime Chicano revolutionary, was on the panel at the town hall, where he provided context on the history of repression by the Los Angeles and East LA Sheriff’s Department of Chicanos. He also talked about how even in the face of brutal oppression by the state, Chicanos have always risen up and fought back.

After the panel, community members from East LA and Boyle Heights gave public comments. Arcelia Covarrubias, whose 28-year-old son Adrian Rios was killed by ELASD, said, “I am here to support Centro CSO because they have always been there with me throughout my process. You guys showed a picture of the East Los Angeles Sheriff's station. Well, that was my son Adrian Rios’s last stop.”

Rios had been picked off the street by ELASD and taken to their station in East Los Angeles. He was later “found” unconscious in a cell with bruises all over his body,

“I used to believe in the system honestly – no, he was at the worst place, he was in the hands of murderers, my son's blood is at that station from the Bandidos,” said Covarrubias. The Banditos are a gang embedded in the sheriff’s department.

Antonieta Garcia, the co-chair of Centro CSO’s education committee said, “We need the Fort Apache logo banned and to be removed from the community and to never to appear again.”

Garcia was out there with her daughters celebrating the Dodgers and said during the public comment, “When I saw the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department in riot gear and shooting teargas, I literally had to remove my daughters and run home.”

Dozens of Chicanos spoke against the actions of the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and painted a broad picture of harassment and oppression. Impacted families spoke of the harassment they received from the sheriff's department after their loved ones, like Anthony Vargas and Fransico Nunez, were killed by LASD. Members of the Civilian Oversight Commission, and even journalists like Cerise Castle, who have long documented the deputy gangs within LASD, have faced threats and harassment.

Centro CSO is also part of Check the Sheriff Coalition, which supported and showed up to the event.

Overall, the town hall meeting was a big success for Centro CSO, which organized for months, tabling, flyering and using social media to get Raza out to the town hall. It was a big deal to even get LA County to come to East Los Angeles to hear firsthand from Raza. The fight to ban Fort Apache continues, as will the greater battle to win community control of ELASD, as the Chicanos neighborhood of East LA has been demanding that the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department be cleaned up.

Centro CSO is an affiliate of NAARPR and upholds the demand of community control of police. If you would like to join Centro CSO, you can find them on all platforms under the username of “Centro CSO.”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – In East Los Angeles, the grassroots organization Centro CSO has been fighting to ban the Fort Apache logo that East Los Angeles Sheriff's deputies proudly wear on the front right pocket of their uniform. The logo is disrespectful to Chicanos, as it was created by deputy gang members from the Little Red Devils gang out of the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (ELASD) station to glorify their attacks on Raza.

The logo depicts a riot helmet on top of a combat boot with the words “Low Profile” and “Siempre Una Patada En Los Pantalones (Always A Kick In The Pants).” The East Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputies created this logo after beating and killing Chicanos during the Chicano Moratorium on August 29, 1970, in East Los Angeles. The Chicano Moratorium was a large Chicano march, and protest against police brutality as well as the Vietnam War, where countless Chicanos were being sent to the front lines to die in the name of U.S. imperialism. Chicanos demanded an end to the draft and the presence of military recruiters in schools.

The East Los Angeles sheriff's deputies were given orders by then acting Sheriff Peter J. Pitchess to keep a “low profile.” The deputies, who were mostly white and members of one of the first deputy gangs in Los Angeles, the “Little Red Devils,” ignored those orders and decided to attack. When it was all said and done, three Chicanos were dead, including Rubèn Salazar, an award winning journalist with the LA Times.

After the brutal attacks, the East Los Angeles Sheriff deputies created the Fort Apache logo as an unofficial logo for the station. The emblem also takes inspiration from the movie Fort Apache by John Ford as the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies see themselves as an occupying force surrounded by “savages.” In this case, the savages are the working-class Chicanos of East LA.

After the 1970 Chicano Moratorium, the Fort Apache logo was used at the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Station. In 2016, then sheriff Jim McDonnell, who himself collaborated with ICE and turned over thousands of Chicanos to ICE during his time as sheriff, banned it. Even McDonnell acknowledged in his own words that the station logo was “disrespectful to the East Los Angeles community”

Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who served from 2018 until 2022, brought the logo back. It’s important to note that under the “leadership” of Sheriff Villanueva the deputy gang problem grew larger all over LA County, as Alex Villanueva is a rumored leader of the Banditos deputy gang.

The fight to eliminate the Fort Apache logo reignited in October 2024, after East LA Sheriff’s deputies teargassed Centro CSO members and Raza from East Los Angeles, including women and children, who were celebrating in their barrio the Dodgers' NLCS pennant victory.

During the attack, the East LA Sheriff’s deputies were wearing Fort Apache pins on their shirts.

In the days after the incident, Centro CSO organized and mobilized. They put out a statement condemning the attack. They also publicized eyewitness videos of the attack on social media. They organized a press conference right outside the ELASD station along with local organizers like Lorraine Quinones, who has been actively fighting for the right to cruise without being harassed by ELASD deputies. Other Chicanos who were hurt during the ELASD attack on Raza were also in attendance demanding justice.

After the press conference, Centro CSO continued the fight against ELASD by holding regular police accountability committee meetings, doing outreach in the barrio of East Los Angeles, and talking about the need to ban the Fort Apache logo.

Centro CSO held an educational event going over the history of deputy gangs in ELASD with the main focus of educating Chicanos on the Fort Apache logo and how Centro CSO is fighting to ban it.

In late December, Centro CSO found out that their hard work was paying off. The Civilian Oversight Commission, which is appointed by the LA County Board of Supervisors to oversee the Los Angeles Sheriff's department, was going to hold a town hall in East Los Angeles to discuss the brutal repression of Chicanos by Sheriff’s deputies during the Dodger celebration and the use of the Fort Apache logo.

Centro CSO mobilized to get the world out and has been seen tabling and flyering all over East Los Angeles for months in order to talk to Raza, who in many instances are well aware of the deputy gangs in East Los Angeles as they themselves have experienced oppression first hand.

“It’s clear that the Fort Apache logo must be banned. Raza from East Los has been demanding it but LASD Is dragging its feet. This makes the argument for community control of ELASD clear! Our barrio should have power over the deputies that patrol our neighborhood,” says Gabriel Quiroz Jr, one of the co-chairs of the Police Accountability Committee of Centro CSO.

The Fort Apache logo is more than just a logo to Chicanos in East Los Angeles, as they see it as a symbol of the oppression Chicanos go through at the hands of police. For 55 years the logo has been active.

If you would like to attend the town hall on the brutal repression of Chicanos by ELASD and the use of the Fort Apache logo, it will take place on February 27, at 6 p.m. at the East Los Angeles Service Center, which is located at 133 N Sunol Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90063.

Centro CSO is a grassroots organization in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles that fights for public education, Legalization for All and Community Control of Police. Centro CSO is also an affiliate of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR). You can reach them at CentroCSO@gmail.com and/ or on Facebook, X, Instagram and Tik Tok under the username CENTROCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #CentroCSO #Feature

Los Angeles, CA – On February 17, over 1000 Chicanos gathered at Placita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles to protest against ICE deportations and to fight back against Trump's racist, right-wing agenda.

The rally and march were called for by Chicana activists who used social media to get the word out. Recent protests in Los Angeles have brought out large crowds of Chicanos ready to stand up and fight, with the last one, on February 2, drawing tens of thousands who took to the streets. That afternoon protesters even took over the 101 Freeway, shutting it down for hours and completely overwhelming LAPD, LASD and CHP, which were completely unprepared and caught off guard by Raza fighting back.

The rally and march on Presidents’ Day was officially endorsed and supported by the Community Self-Defense Coalition, which is a new coalition recently announced in Los Angeles, consisting of over 60 organizations and unions. Growing every day, the Community Self-Defense Coalition is determined to defend Raza out in the streets in the face of attacks by migra. The program featured speakers from different members of the coalition like Centro CSO, Union Del Barrio, Black Alliance for Peace SoCal and many more. The spirited march made stops at the Metropolitan Detention Center and City Hall before circling back to Placita Olvera.

During the march, the large protest had a soundtrack and that played music, and ledchants like “Raza si, migra no! ” “La que no salta es migra” (Whoever doesn’t jump is migra) and “El Pueblo unido jamás será vencido” (The people united will never be defeated). The march had multiple banners of the different organizations as well dozens of flags representing countries in South America, Central America, Palestine, and Lebanon.

The leading truck flew a large Aztlán flag through the sunny spring morning in Los Angeles. When the march passed through historic Little Tokyo, the organizers shouted out and gave their respects to the Japanese people who themselves were forcefully displaced and put into concentration camps by the United States during World War II.

Veria Topete, a member of Centro CSO, said at the rally, “It felt very beautiful and empowering being with our community, standing in unity to let our brothers and sisters know that it’s not just their fight it’s our fight and they are not alone. That we are here to stand up and defend them.”

Karina Lopez, who represented Centro CSO on the program, said, “Don’t let this be the last action you take. This is only the beginning of the struggle that we have ahead of us when we organize and connect our struggles, we build power. Trump is also saying he will take over Gaza, we say hands off Palestine! Our fight against repression is connected with the fight to liberate Palestine!”

Centro CSO is a grassroots organization focused on fighting for oppressed Chicanos in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. They uplift the demands of Legalization for All, Community Control of the Police and Protect Public Education. They are proud members of the Legalization 4 All Network and affiliates of the National Alliance against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR).

You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook under the username @CentroCSO

#LosAngelesCA #NAARPR #Legalization4All #LegalizationforAll #ELA #BoyleHeights #Chicano #VivaLaRaza #NoDeportations #ICE #ImmigrantRights #Immigration #FreePalestine #Aztlan #Trump #PresidentsDay #LAPD #LASD #CHP

Los Angeles, CA – Chicano high school students took to the streets, February 20, to protest Trump's ICE raids, arrests, and deportations. All over the city, LAUSD students walked out of school chanting “Stop Donald Trump” and “Raza si, migra no.”

Centro CSO organizers supported East LA students at Garfield High School (GHS) by providing sound, large banners and snacks on the warm day. Gabriel Quiroz Jr led chants with the energetic students like, “Viva La Raza, viva Mexico!”

The GHS students marched to Torres High School to unite the march with more students. The march continued in the heart of East LA with many neighbors waving and honking their horns in support.

The marchers arrived at Mariachi Plaza where students from over six high schools had already arrived for an energetic rally. SEIU 721 provided a large truck and sound system. Many students spoke, denouncing Trump and ICE, expressing support for their families and community.

Longtime Chicano revolutionary Carlos Montes also participated in the march, being a graduate of GHS and a leader in the original ELA high school walkout of March 1968. “I have to be here with you to say no deportations,” stated Montes.

During the rally several LAPD police officers attempted to quickly enter the plaza, but they were met by several safety monitors wearing bright yellow vests asking police not to enter the plaza as this was a well-organized event. One of the LAPD officers, Johnny Altamirano aggressively pushed and knocked down Felipe Cazares, director of external organizing for SEIU 721, who has provided support for the students for the last two weeks. Felipe was laid flat on the sidewalk.

More safety monitors formed a line in front of the police in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. But officer Altamirano called for backup until over 20 police arrived, many wearing helmets and batons. The safety monitors held their line and asked the students to continue the rally and ignore the police. Eventually the police left, and the rally continued without any further incident. Felipe Cazares was taken to the LA General Hospital and released shaken, bruised but not deterred to support our students and community.

#LosAngelesCA #SEIU721 #ELA #GHS #LA #chicano #vivalaraza #Immigration #ImmigrantRights #legalization4all #legalizationforall #nodeportations #ICE #policecrimes

Los Ángeles, CA — Más de 200 estudiantes de Garfield High School realizaron un paro estudiantil el 4 de febrero. Padres marcharon junto a sus hijos, mientras los estudiantes salieron energéticamente de la escuela.

Miembros de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario (CSO) del Centro se reunieron con los estudiantes y ayudaron a coordinar una ruta segura para ellos. Tomaron la ruta histórica de Whittier Boulevard y marcharon hacia el centro de la ciudad.

Gabriel Quiroz Jr, un miembro de CSO, estaba en el megáfono gritando “¡Liberación, no deportación!” y “¡Que vivan los estudiantes!”

Luis Sifuentes, otro miembro de CSO, dijo, “Es un nuevo día cuando los estudiantes toman la decisión de ir en huelga por sus familias inmigrantes. Vimos este tamaño de energía durante la primera administración de Trump, entonces esperamos ver más de esto.”

CSO planea realizar una manifestación y marcha el sábado 8 de febrero en Boyle Heights. Si está interesado en asistir, sígalos en sus redes sociales @CenroCSO en X, Instagram, TikTok, y Facebook o mándenles un correo electrónico a CentroCSO@gmail.com.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – Over 1000 Chicanos gathered at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights on Saturday, February 8 at 11 a.m. to protest deportations and fight against Trump and his immigration policies. The rally and march was organized by Centro CSO and was supported by many allies, like Unión del Barrio and Palestinian Youth Movement LA.

Mariachi Plaza has been an unofficial rally point for local Chicanos on the Eastside of LA to meet and fight back, from protesting police killings of Chicanos and fighting for immigrant rights to Palestinian solidarity rallies.

The rally’s speakers included mothers, teachers and students who have been fighting for immigrant rights. It also featured an informative teatro play where actors acted out a confrontation with ICE agents and where the agents were ultimately defeated by Chicanos who knew their rights. The spirited rally-goers, which included men, women, children and also some little dogs, took to the streets in an organized and safe manner waving homemade signs and many flags, including those of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Aztlán, and the American Indian Movement.

The chant leaders were young Chicanas from Centro CSO, shouting “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” “Money for jobs and education, not for mass deportations!” “¡Que viva la Raza, que viva Aztlan!” The march went from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights down First Street and crossed the First Street Bridge into downtown Los Angeles to the Federal Metropolitan Detention Center. After a short rally, the march continued to City Hall before returning to Boyle Heights.

Throughout the march, many Chicanos passing by waved and honked in support. Many joined the march and dozens of restaurant goers applauded and chanted along as the march passed through historic Little Tokyo.

The marchers were mainly working-class Chicanos who have experienced these attacks on their Raza firsthand. Many parents with strollers and families were in attendance as well as students from local high schools and community colleges.

Angélica Reyes, an LAUSD high school teacher, said in her speech, “There is a resistance if you resist. There’s not if we don’t.”

Reyes continued, “We have faced these threats before, but we only win when we organize. These actions and protests should give us energy and fill us with love and energy, but we need to do more than just protest. We need to fight back by organizing stronger communities. Just like we organize for carne asadas, brunch, to sell Avon or princess house, for church, we need y’all to bring those skills here. We have the power. We have everything we need to win but it’ll only happen if you personally step up to do it.”

Marisol Marquez, a member of Centro CSO and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) who emceed the kickoff rally, said, “Marching with my two babies and husband alongside other families really brought it all into perspective for me. This isn’t an issue about who is and isn’t a criminal, it’s about rich millionaires and billionaires like Trump and white supremacists like Elon Musk. It’s about them terrorizing undocumented families just so they can continue exploiting everyone who isn’t as rich. Chicanos all over Aztlàn are rising up to fight back and it’s our job as Marxist-Leninists to fan those flames. National liberation for our Raza is the only way to put an end to these attacks!”

This rally and march took place after seven straight days of protests that have erupted in Los Angeles, which have included Chicanos taking over the 101 Freeway the weekend before and students walking out from high schools across LAUSD throughout the week. The message has been very clear – end deportations! When immigrants are under attack, Raza will stand up and fight back!

Now more than ever it's important to join an established organization that has been doing the work for years. If you’re in Los Angeles, join Centro CSO, a grassroots organization led by working-class Chicanos that fights for Legalization 4 All, community control of the police, and for public education against the threat of charter schools.

Find Centro CSO on Tiktok, Twitter, and Instagram under the same name.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #Trump #CentroCSO #Feature

Los Angeles, CA – Thousands of students from East Los Angeles and downtown high schools walked out this morning, February 4, and converged at LA City Hall.

Chanting, “Immigrants are welcome here!” and “Se ve, se siente, el pueblo está presente!” The majority-student crowd has blocked off the downtown area, in the name of immigrant rights. Upset with Trump and his administration’s recent attacks on immigrants, the students are calling for an end to the deportations and general ICE terror.

Centro CSO helped lead the students from the East Los Angeles school, Garfield High, as they joined with Roosevelt High students, and safely joined the already 500 students who had earlier assembled at City Hall. Those present cheered as the East Los contingent united with them.

Manuel Alvarez, a student at Garfield High said, “No one is illegal on stolen land. This land was once Mexican and without us Chicanos, East Los would not be East Los Angeles.”

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #Trump

Los Angeles, CA — Over 200 Garfield High School students walked out this morning, February 4. Parents marched alongside their children, as the students energetically marched out of school.

Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) members met with the students and helped coordinate a safe route for them. They took to the historic Whittier Boulevard and are marching towards downtown.

Gabriel Quiroz Jr, a member of CSO, was on the bullhorn chanting, “Liberation not deportation!” and “¡Que vivan los estudiantes!”

Luis Sifuentes, another member of CSO, said, “It’s a new day when the students decide to walk out for their immigrant families. We saw this size of energy during Trump’s first administration, so we expect to see a lot more of this.”

Plans for CSO are to have a rally and march on Saturday, February 8, in Boyle Heights. If you are interested in attending, follow their social media @CentroCSO on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook or emailing them at CentroCSO@gmail.com.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #HighSchool #CentroCSO #Trump

Los Ángeles, CA – Miles de chicanos e inmigrantes marcharon hacia el centro de Los Ángeles hoy, 2 de febrero. Ondeando banderas de México, Colombia, Venezuela y Centroamérica, el mar de gente lo dejó claro: los inmigrantes están aquí para quedarse. El evento fue una demostración de indignación pública y unidad en contra de Trump, sus seguidores racistas y sus numerosas órdenes ejecutivas antinmigrantes.

Jordan Peña y Gabriel Quiroz Jr., de la Organización de Servicio Comunitario (CSO) del Centro, lideraron un contingente del CSO en este evento masivo. Quiroz Jr. también es miembro de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (FRSO). El contingente se reunió en el ayuntamiento, donde varios oradores dieron discursos energizantes e inspiradores. Carlos Montes habló en representación de CSO del Centro.

Peña dijo, “Ver a todos nosotros reunidos aquí hoy envía un mensaje poderoso: ¡No seremos silenciados y no retrocederemos ante la injusticia!”

Coreando “¡El pueblo, unido, jamás será vencido!” y “Se ve, se siente, el pueblo está presente”, el contingente partió desde la Plaza Olvera hacia el ayuntamiento. Las calles Spring y Temple quedaron completamente bloqueadas mientras miles de personas marchaban pacíficamente, coreaban y bailaban.

“Fue una experiencia emocional y empoderadora ver a mi comunidad unirse, apoyando a nuestra gente”, dijo Verita Topete, quien es nueva miembro de CSO del Centro. “¡Me siento personalmente afectada por esto, ya que mi padre sigue siendo indocumentado!”

Nadia Topete, también nueva miembro de CSO y hermana de Verita Topete, dijo, “Fue una experiencia muy emotiva ver a las comunidades unirse y mantenerse como una. Rodeados de personas empáticas, marchamos en solidaridad. Detesto ver cómo esta administración nos deshumaniza. He estado luchando contra esto desde que tenía 15 años, en 2020 mi hermana mayor y yo hablamos en la marcha y manifestación del 50º aniversario de la Moratoria Chicana en nombre de nuestro padre, que en ese momento estaba detenido por ICE”.

El padre de las hermanas Topete fue detenido en el centro de detención de ICE Adelanto GEO. Él sufrió por tres años múltiples formas de abuso, así como represalias por ser un denunciante y liderar huelgas de hambre. Debido a esto, las hermanas Topete juraron siempre apoyar y luchar por los indocumentados. Se unieron a CSO para hacer precisamente esto.

Continuando con la marcha, Quiroz Jr. marchó con el contingente de regreso a Boyle Heights donde más personas insistieron en marchar hacia el Este de Los Ángeles.

“Nosotros los chicanos estamos demostrando que no permitiremos que nuestra raza sea atacada por Trump”, dijo Quiroz Jr. “En Aztlán continuaremos la lucha por la autodeterminación después de este evento. Nuestro objetivo es la liberación total para los indocumentados, los chicanos y la clase trabajadora”.

CSO del Centro realizará una manifestación y marcha el 8 de febrero. Su evento es parte de la semana de acción de la red de Legalización para Todos que comenzó el 31 de enero y termina el 9 de febrero. Si estás interesado en asistir, el evento pacífico se llevará a cabo en Boyle Heights. Sigue sus redes sociales para actualizaciones: @CentroCSO en Instagram, X, Facebook o por correo electrónico a CentroCSO@gmail.com.

#LosAngelesCA #LA #CentroCSO #ImmigrantRights #FRSO

Los Angeles, CA – Thousands of Chicanos and immigrants marched into downtown Los Angeles, today, February 2. Waving Mexican, Colombian, Venezuelan and Central American flags, the sea of people made it clear: Immigrants are here to stay. The event was to demonstrate public outcry and unity against Trump, his racist supporters, and his many anti-immigrant executive orders.

Jordan Peña and Gabriel Quiroz Jr. with Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) led a CSO contingent at the massive event. Quiroz Jr. is also a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). The contingent assembled at City Hall where various speakers gave energizing and inspiring speeches. Carlos Montes spoke on behalf of Centro CSO.

Peña said, “Seeing all of us gathered here today sends a powerful message: We will not be silenced, and we will not back down in the face of injustice!”

Chanting “El pueblo, unido, jamás será vencido!” And “Se ve, se siente, el pueblo está presente,” the contingent went from Plaza Olvera to City Hall. Spring and Temple Streets were completely blocked as thousands peacefully marched, chanted and danced.

“It was such an emotional and empowering experience to see my community come together, supporting our people,” said Verita Topete, who is a new Centro CSO member. “I feel personally affected by this, since my father is still undocumented!”

Nadia Topete, who is also a new member of CSO and the sister of Verita Topete, said, “It was a very emotional experience to see communities come together and stand as one. Surrounded by empathetic individuals, we marched in solidarity. I despise seeing how this administration dehumanizes us. I’ve been fighting this since I was 15, back in 2020 my oldest sister and I spoke at the 50th anniversary Chicano Moratorium march and rally on behalf of our father who was at the time being detained by ICE.”

The Topetes’ father was detained at the Adelanto GEO ICE detention center. He suffered for three years from multiple forms of abuse as well as retaliation for being a whistleblower and leading hunger strikes. Due to this, the Topete sisters vow to always support and fight for the undocumented. They joined CSO to do just this.

Continuing with the marching, Quiroz Jr. marched with the contingent back to Boyle Heights where even more people insisted on marching towards East Los Angeles.

“We Chicanos are demonstrating that we will not allow for our Raza to be attacked by Trump,” said Quiroz Jr. “In Aztlán we will continue in the fight for self-determination after this event. Our goal is complete liberation for the undocumented, Chicanos and the working class.”

Centro CSO will rally and march on February 8. Their event is part of the Legalization for All network week of action which began on January 31 and ends February 9. If you are interested in attending, the peaceful event will take place in Boyle Heights. Follow their social media for updates here: @CentroCSO on Instagram, X, Facebook or email them at CentroCSO@gmail.com.

#LosAngelesCA #LA #CentroCSO #NoMoreDeportations #NiUnaMas ChicanoPower #ImmigrantRights #FRSO #ICE #Feature

Just days into 2025, the Los Angeles area has been engulfed by record-breaking wildfires. Amidst widespread drought and hurricane-force winds, some areas which have never once needed to evacuate due to fires have been completely destroyed, with over a 100,000 people ordered to evacuate the area so far.

2024 was, yet again, the hottest year in history. Global average temperatures crossed an important threshold in 2024: 1.5° C (2.7° F) warmer than pre-industrial levels. This was the maximum temperature set as goal by the Paris Climate Accords, the threshold after which dangerous effects of climate change are expected to become commonplace.

But these fires are not simply a natural disaster, and climate change is not a natural condition – the capitalist system is to blame. Climate change is being accelerated by fossil fuel tycoons, billionaire industrialists and the politicians in bed with them who command the United States’ economy, and for whom the destruction of the environment is of no importance compared to their profits. They are covering the U.S with a web of fossil fuel pipelines. A tiny number of monopolists use their power and influence to block progressive climate legislation, sow confusion about climate science in the media, and strangle the life out of green initiatives. Meanwhile, it is everyday working-class people – from Maui, to Asheville, to Los Angeles – who are paying the price and picking up the pieces.

President-elect Trump, a climate change denier, tried to blame northern California environmental policies for the lack of water in Los Angeles. But in fact, Los Angeles gets no water from northern California; all of their water is groundwater, local sources, or the Colorado River to their east. Both Republicans and Democrats continue to spend more than $1 trillion a year on past, present, and future wars at the federal level, while state and local governments are forced to cut needed services, such as firefighting, due to lack of money.

Residents are told to leave their home but not given any options on where to go, and few resources to aid their evacuation. All the while, hundreds of incarcerated individuals are risking their lives on the front lines of the fires. These individuals are being paid about a dollar an hour for this grueling work – and when they are released, their criminal records can bar from careers in firefighting

Meanwhile, socialist countries like Cuba and China show a better model for combating climate change. From their increasing investments in renewable technologies and green public transport options, to prioritizing people in responding to natural disasters as they happen. We can see that socialism, without capitalism’s insatiable need for profit at any cost, is the only way out of the climate crisis.

We need to build a movement against climate change that can directly combat the lies and deceit of the fossil fuel industries – industries that still receive government subsidies. We need to point out the connection between climate change and a military industrial complex that is often exempt from environmental regulation. And we need working and oppressed peoples to unite and see the climate struggle as part of the working class struggle for power in the United States. Let’s build a fighting climate justice movement that takes to the streets!

No new pipelines!

People and the planet over profits!

#Environment #LosAngelesCA #CA #Wildfires #Climate #FRSO #Statement

Los Angeles, CA – Major ongoing brush fires have burned land and structures in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Sylmar. The wildfires have affected the air quality of Los Angeles County. Some towns and neighborhoods have lost power and internet, and the working people of the city are being impacted as the fires rage on.

As of Tuesday, January 7, brush fires started to appear around Los Angeles County, fanned by the Santa Ana high winds. So far, the fires have burned over 15,000 acres and 1000 structures in the Pacific Palisades. The Eaton fire near Altadena has burned down over 10,000 acres, while the Hurst fire near Sylmar has burned about 500 acres.

Five have been killed in the fires and several have suffered injuries due to the fires. Over 80,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. The air quality currently has a level of 163 AQI which is considered unhealthy. In Lincoln Heights and in El Sereno, the traffic lights don't work. Interstate Highway 5 heading south and Interstate 110 south are jammed with traffic, making the roads unsafe. Dozens of public schools in the Los Angeles area have also closed due to hazardous smoke and ash.

The fires and the smoke filling out the sky in LA are affecting the working-class people who live in the city and worry about their safety. Hannah Keith, a shop steward and preloader working at the UPS Olympic Hub facility in downtown Los Angeles said, “UPS is forcing inside employees like me to work in terrible conditions in poorly ventilated buildings. The fires fill our work areas so much with smoke we can’t breathe. It highlights how much they really don’t care about our health and safety and how the company will stop at nothing to profit off our lives.”

This sentiment echoes reaction to event five years ago when the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine were in effect while many workers were forced to work with little to no hazard pay.

“I got up this morning and my four-year-old daughter asked me, ‘Papa, why is the sky orange?’” says UPS driver and Teamster Jared Hamil. “I had to break it down for her why fires and smoke affect the sky, without sounding scary. In reality it is scary. As climate change happens, we’re going to see more freak windstorms, wildfires, more frequent and stronger hurricanes, and natural disasters. But who is most affected by these occurrences? The working class. We are the ones who have to work under these hazardous conditions. We go home after spending an overtime shift with ash in our eyes and breathing in smoke all day.”

As of now the fires are 0% contained, the quality of the air is hazardous, and there are currently 1.5 million people who have no power or have been affected by blackouts.

#LosAngelesCA #Environment #Wildfires

Los Angeles, CA – As the holiday peak season wraps up, after workers around the country toiled away for a surge in parcel deliveries, the United Parcel Service (UPS) plans again to shutter large facilities due to automation.

On January 15, the UPS facility in Vernon, California, also known as the Grande Vista hub, will be shutting its doors for a year-long closure. The purpose of the closure is for building renovations and the automation of various classifications, part of UPS’s larger “Network of the Future” project, which aims to automate union jobs to reduce labor costs.

Grande Vista is one of 200 hubs around the country that UPS plans to close for automation. The closure is expected to affect over 1000 workers who are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

During the closure UPS has claimed that they would offer the Grande Vista employees temporary transfers to other facilities “within reasonable commuting distance.” One of the options is in a neighboring city, Bell, but the other options are 25 to 60 miles away, in San Fernando and the Inland Empire region of the state. Since bidding goes by seniority, it is anticipated that higher seniority workers will take most available spots at the Bell facility, which can only house about 160 employees, and the hundreds of lower seniority employees will be forced to go to the further buildings, choose layoff, or quit.

UPS has been slow to communicate with Grande Vista workers and the local union about the upcoming changes and options for employees. Many workers fear for their jobs and livelihood.

Some rank-and-file union members are taking matters into their own hands and have decided to fight back against this blatant effort to demoralize workers into retiring, choosing layoff, or quitting. These outspoken workers are demanding closer options for workers to commute to and pointing out that San Fernando and the Inland Empire are not “within reasonable commuting distance.” So far, they have gathered hundreds of petition signatures and say they plan to present those petitions to the company and the public.

Alejandro Orellana is a union shop steward at the Grande Vista site and said, “We have to show UPS that we are united in denouncing automation, even if this changes nothing, least we can say is that we tried rather than stood by and do nothing. We are fighting for our lives and our future. Automation kills jobs and we the Teamsters should not be complacent to the termination of Teamster jobs in favor of an automated workplace.”

Once the automation and retrofit operations are completed, many workers are expected to be reclassified to fit the company’s needs. For the Teamsters at Grande Vista UPS, fighting back against this closure and automation is part of a long fight to save workers’ jobs.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #Labor #Teamsters #UPS #Feature

Los Angeles, CA - On day four of the largest strike of Amazon workers in U.S. history, over 100 Amazon workers picketed outside an Amazon facility in Rosemead, California, December 22. Amazon workers want better pay, safer working conditions and respect from management as workers fight to unionize.

The workers turned in union recognition cards signed by a majority of the Rosemead workers and have since been demanding recognition of their union - the International Brotherhood of Teamsters – by Amazon. However, the corporation has not been willing to recognize their union and refuses to come to the bargaining table to negotiate a first union contract.

Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., the workers picketed in front of the facility’s driveways, proudly chanting “Hey hey Amazon, union busting is disgusting.” As the delivery drivers were leaving the complex, workers picketing along the driveways spoke to workers one on one, asking them to join them and the Teamsters union. Many were interested in talking more and supporting the effort.

The picketing continued as the crowd chanted, “Amazon, Amazon you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side!”

The strikes happening right now are the largest in Amazon’shistory. This uptick comes in a time when workers are forming new unions at rates not seen for many decades in the U.S.

#LosAngelesCA #LA #RosemeadCA #Rosemead #Teamsters Amazon #Feature #Strike #AmazonStrike #Labor

Los Angeles, CA – On December 3, when newly-elected pro-police Nathan Hochman was sworn into office at the Hall of Justice as district attorney, members of Black Lives Matter-LA, Centro CSO and other LA activists arrived to protest Hochman’s agenda.

LAPD aggressively attempted to shut down protests of the swearing in ceremony, which was led by actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, a delegation from Centro CSO and BLM-LA stood strong and made their vocal opposition loud and clear. The LAPD attacked demonstrators and arrested a young Black father from People’s City Council and a pastor with BLM-LA. The LAPD grabbed and confiscated Centro CSO’s portable megaphone.

It was clear the LAPD and new district attorney did not want any opposition at the ceremony held in front of the DA building. Even with this brutal crackdown, the Chicano activists with Centro CSO and Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles held their ground and continued to agitate and were able to push the police back. They continued to chant and hold up signs in the face of this repression. They shamed attendees of the district attorney inauguration who were leaving, all dressed in expensive suits and wearing designer clothes, just like the district attorney himself, who was born and raised in Beverly Hills.

LA County’s new DA had campaigned on reversing all progressive reforms from the last four years, including bringing back gang enhancement sentencing. Although LA county jails and courts are already full of working-class people, mostly Black and Chicano, Hochman says he will prosecute and jail people for low-level crimes.

Centro CSO denounces this blatant aggressive attack on our members and allies and will voice this at the LAPD Police Commission meeting.

The theft of the Centro CSO’s megaphone is a big loss because it is the only one they have. If you would like to donate via Zelle to help replace their megaphone while they go through the process to get theirs back from LAPD, you can Zelle them at “Centrocso@gmail.com.” Please put “MEGAPHONE” in the memo.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #CentroCSO

Los Angeles, CA – 30 people attended a know your rights panel and training in the Boyle Hights neighborhood, hosted by Centro CSO’s immigration rapid response team. The educational event was organized because many in the community are nervous about how immigration law will be impacted by the Trump presidential victory.

Greeting participants at the door with a warm welcome and offering various services, the event was well attended. Childcare was offered to allow those with young children to fully participate in the event.

Boyle Heights resident Erika Prado stated, “The workshop on immigration rights Centro CSO presented was highly informative and served as a resource to empower and prepare our community in light of the unfortunate threats it faces.”

Led by Amanda Diaz, Beña Martinez, and Jordan Peña of Centro Community Service Organization (CSO), the event featured scenarios on what to do if Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes knocking on your door. Attendees also had a chance to ask questions regarding any potential changes to their current immigration status.

“In this moment of fear and uncertainty, what is certain is the power of our communities,” said Amanda Diaz of Centro CSO. “One of the most important things we can do right now is to arm ourselves with knowledge for what to do when ICE comes knocking. This critical information can help us stand up and fight back against Trump’s chaos by knowing our rights and protecting ourselves, our families, and our neighbors! La lucha sigue!”

Beña Martínez, who led the online component of the event, said “I have thought about how much Biden and Trump’s policies could affect my family. I also have friends that I look up to who could be affected, and I try to plan instead of worry. But I still worry. I’m fortunate to be able to rely on a great team working harder than me on this know your rights event that I’m grateful for.”

Centro CSO is part of the Legalization for All (L4A) network which is a national network of groups whose mission is to win legalization for all of the undocumented. Due to the Trump win, organizations like CSO are moving forward on preparing their working-class neighborhoods to be educated and prepared to fight back.

“Es importante que todas las personas sepan que tenemos derechos, para no vivir con miedo,” said Felipe Castillo who also attended the event. Her words translate to, “It is important for all to know our rights, so that we do not live in fear.”

If you wish to participate in future CSO events, message them at (323) 484-8630 or contact them on their social media @CentroCSO.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #CentroCSO #Trump #L4A

Los Angeles, CA – In a criminal court hearing on November 19, former Los Angeles Sheriff Deputy Remin Pineda was given the outrageous sentence of two years of probation, 250 community service hours, and 180 days of suspended county jail time for the killing of David Ordaz Jr. in 2021. As part of the plea deal, Pineda forfeited his right to hold a peace officer position or owning a gun.

On March 14, 2021, David Ordaz Jr. was experiencing a mental health crisis and his family called 911 to receive support. Four sheriff deputies arrived at the scene outside the Ordaz family home and rather than administering aid, escalated the situation. Despite the cries of the Ordaz family, the deputies murdered Ordaz Jr. Sheriff Deputy Pineda was eventually charged with two felony counts: assault with a semiautomatic firearm and assault under color of authority. Deputy Pineda had continued to shoot Ordaz after he had already been shot by other deputies and was on the ground bleeding.

During the November 19 court hearing, Assistant District Attorney Ryan Dibble proposed a plea deal of no contest with no prison time, along with probation, for Pineda. This plea deal had previously been proposed by the DA’s office and rejected by judge Michael Pastor in 2023.

When the Ordaz family received word of the proposed plea deal, they mobilized with Centro CSO a press conference and call-in to Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón. The family demanded justice and called for Deputy Pineda to receive prison time for the killing of David Ordaz Jr. The family considers a plea deal with no jail time unacceptable and spoke out at a press conference the day before the hearing.

The courtroom at the LA Criminal Courts was full, with family and supporters showing solidarity with the Ordaz family. Hilda Pedroza, sister of David Ordaz Jr., addressed the judge during the hearing, asking for prison time or a public trial so that the public can see the video of the tragic killing. Emily Ordaz, his daughter and co-chair of Centro CSO’s police accountability campaign, said that for a deputy to not receive jail time after such an egregious case would signal to law enforcement in Los Angeles that they could kill with impunity. David's father also spoke in Spanish, asking for justice for his son.

After Judge Mark Arold, himself a former sheriff deputy, approved the plea deal and sentencing, the Ordaz family spoke to the news media. Pedroza stated that the decision had ended any hope in the justice system.

The East LA Sheriffs continue to kill young Chicanos in East LA. For years, Centro CSO, a community organization in Boyle Heights and East LA, has supported families who have lost loved ones killed by the ELA Sheriffs and helped lead the fight for accountability.

On Saturday, November 23 at 12 p.m., Centro CSO will be hosting an educational event about how to join the struggle against the sheriff’s department. The event will take place at the Rising Youth Club/East Los Soul, 324 N McDonnell Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 9022.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliceCrimes #DavidOrdazJr #CentroCSO #Feature