Los Angeles, Calif. — In a major victory for grassroots organizers and immigrant rights advocates, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to dismiss federal charges against Alejandro Orellana, a Los Angeles-based community organizer with Centro CSO.
Orellana, 29, was arrested by FBI agents on June 12 on charges stemming from “conspiring to commit civil disorders” and “aiding and abetting civil disorders,” according to a criminal complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Rene Persaud. The arrest stemmed from the alleged distribution of face shields, which supposedly took place during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles on June 9.
Following his arrest, community outrage erupted and organizing swiftly took place online and in person. Press conferences were held demanding Orellana’s release and the dismissal of what many considered to be politically motivated charges.
Centro CSO is rooted in L.A.’s long history of Chicano organizing. The grassroots organization has previously accused the FBI of surveilling community organizers and condemned Orellana’s arrest as an act of racist and political repression. Now, just over six weeks later, it appears that sustained public pressure has paid off.
This decision by the DOJ surprised many and follows months of law enforcement targeting activists — many of whom were later found to have been falsely accused by federal agents. As reported by The Guardian, “U.S. immigration officers made false and misleading statements in their reports about several Los Angeles protesters they arrested during the massive demonstrations that rocked the city in June,” according to federal law enforcement files.
A statement released on social media by CSO Centro members stated, “We knew all along that Alejandro Orellana was facing charges because of his work within CSO Centro…our organization is fighting back against these attacks and is coming out stronger.”
In a formal motion filed July 29 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the government moved to dismiss the indictment against Orellana without prejudice.
CSO Centro plans to hold a press conference and rally at Mariachi Plaza on Wednesday, June 30, at 3:30 p.m. in response to Orellana’s legal victory.
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