UCF Students for a Democratic Society Solidarity Statement with Alex Orellana

Solidarity statement also linked here on Instagram

On June 12, 2025, the FBI raided the home of Alejandro “Alex” Orellana in L.A. & arrested him on bogus charges. Alex is a leading organizer with Centro CSO, a Chicano-led group that fights for immigrant rights. He is now being charged with “conspiracy to commit civil disorder” for providing aid to his community amid being tear-gassed, in response to defending their communities. These charges being levied are politically motivated, could carry a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, and must be fought against!

We, the University of Central Florida Students For A Democratic Society (UCF-SDS), demand that the charges on Alejandro Orellana be dropped immediately. Orellana has done nothing wrong! Orellana has been an organizer in Centro CSO and the L.A. community for over 10 years. He has been public and forthright in organizing against ICE raids and the Trump administration. We believe that it is for this reason and no other that he is being targeted.

Trump has unleashed a wave of terror upon immigrants in this country: he deployed 2000 National Guards to L.A; he sent U.S. Marines. His ICE agents stalk high school parking lots and Home Depots in hopes of detaining undocumented immigrants, Chicanos, Mexicanos, and Central Americans with no regard for due process. Protesters in LA have faced off against tear gas, rubber bullets, beatings, kidnappings, and more. Now people’s heroes like Alejandro face bogus federal charges and potential prison time.

Protesting is not a crime. People like Alejandro, not the Trump administration, are on the right side of history. His activism and resistance to Trump and ICE serves as a model for what all people should be doing at this time.

To protect our First Amendment rights, our freedom of speech, and our right to say no to the ICE operations and the Trump administration, we believe it is critical to defend Alejandro Orellana. We stand with Alejandro Orellana and all of those resisting Trump’s attacks, especially on immigrants, Chicanos, and Latinos in the US. We will answer the call to take action on June 27 to protest and call U.S. Attorney Bilal Essayli at 213-894-2400, and to demand that the charges be dropped.

All Out for June 27!

Drop the Charges on Alejandro Orellana Now!

Dare to struggle, dare to win!