Cleveland United Against War Says: Drop the Charges on Alejandro Orellana!
On June 12th, community organizer Alejandro Orellana was arrested in an FBI raid and is
July 14, 2025
The Honorable Judge Serena R. Murillo
U.S. Courthouse
350 W. First Street, Courtroom 5D
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Re: Letter of Support for Mr. Alejandro Orellana
Dear Honorable Judge Murillo,
We write as members of the California Faculty Association (CFA) at California State University Los Angeles (Cal State LA) to urge the court to drop all charges against Alejandro Orellana. CFA is an anti-racism and social justice union and our chapter has deep connections to our surrounding communities and to the labor movement broadly in Los Angeles.
As faculty at Cal State LA—a Hispanic Serving Institution whose geographical catchment includes East Los Angeles—we are deeply connected to what happens in our community. Mr. Orellana’s work with Centro CSO has made a real difference in the lives of many people, including many our students and their families.
Alejandro Orellana is a beloved member of our community in Boyle Heights and a respected organizer with Centro CSO, an organization formed in 1947 by famed Los Angeles politician Ed Roybal. He works every day to improve East LA and to create more opportunities for people in our neighborhoods. His values are aligned with ours as educators: supporting young people, fighting for equity, and building stronger communities.
Like thousands in Los Angeles in June 2025, Mr. Orellana did everything he could to protect working class and immigrant communities after the onset of ICE raids in Los Angeles in June 2025, including by distributing PPE at protests out of his deep desire to provide immediate protection to our communities exercising their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech. As a result, the FBI found it necessary to search Mr. Orellana’s home and arrest him, and now the U.S. Attorney’s office alleges that he has committed federal crimes by distributing PPE.
We ask that you consider his positive role in East Los Angeles and drop all federal charges against Mr. Orellana. His continued work here matters greatly. Thank you very much for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
The Executive Board, California Faculty Association - Los Angeles