Understanding Centro CSO in Boyle Heights

To understand "Centro CSO" in Boyle Heights, one must distinguish between two different historical and contemporary entities. The original Community Service Organization (CSO) was a mid-20th-century civil rights pioneer that helped launch the careers of leaders like Edward Roybal and training grounds for United Farm Workers founders such as César Chávez. In contrast, Centro CSO is a modern, independent grassroots organization active in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. This contemporary group focuses on undocumented rights, public education, and social justice through direct action.

The Modern Grassroots Organization: Centro CSO

Centro CSO operates as an independent collective rather than a traditional 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It relies on member funding to sustain its activism. Membership is vital for their survival. They primarily organize around three active committees: Education, Police Accountability, and Immigration. These groups address immediate needs within the Mexican American community and broader Eastside neighborhoods.

The organization advocates strongly for the legalization of all immigration. To support undocumented residents, they conduct monthly "Barrio Walks." During these walks, members patrol Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles to monitor areas where ICE (MIGRA) has been spotted. They also distribute "Know Your Rights" (KYR) cards at local churches following Sunday Mass. These actions aim to provide immediate protection for the community.

Community control is a core principle. Centro CSO believes in the self determination of Chicanxs and the defense of public education. This commitment often brings them into conflict with city institutions. For example, they have launched petitions demanding that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) implement stricter safety standards. They also push back against teacher cuts and charter school construction.

Activism and Confrontation in Boyle Heights

The group's history is marked by intense friction with law enforcement. In February 2025, members of the organization faced a violent encounter with the LAPD Hollenbeck division during a meeting. This incident resulted in the arrest of Sergio Flores. The charges against him were eventually withdrawn after legal scrutiny showed they were baseless.

The political tension is deeply personal for many residents. Sergio Flores is the older brother of Jeremy Anthony Flores, an unarmed man killed by LAPD officers in July 2025. His death sparked significant grief and mobilization within the neighborhood. Following the killing, his family and Centro CSO organized protests at the Hollenbeck station to demand accountability. This cycle of protest and policing defines much of the local struggle for justice.

Leadership within the group is often linked to radical Chicano movements. Marisol Marquez has been a prominent member and has managed fundraising efforts. She supports the concept of Aztlan and ethnic-nationalist goals. Other leaders, such as Carlos Montes, have historical ties to the Brown Berets and student movements like MECHA. These connections link Centro CSO to a long lineage of Chicano nationalist activism in Los Angeles.

Historical Context: The Original CSO

The legacy of the name stems from the mid-1940s. That original Community Service Organization was founded by figures like Edward Roybal and Fred Ross Sr. It focused on voter registration and citizenship classes. This historical group provided a platform for Mexican American residents to gain political power in Los Angeles City.

That era saw massive shifts in civil rights. The CSO helped build coalitions with Jewish organizations and labor unions. These partnerships were essential for fighting school segregation and police brutality. While the original organization expanded across the Southwest, its roots remain firmly planted in the streets of Boyle Heights.

Modern activists continue to walk these same streets. They use different methods but share a similar focus on community survival. Whether through historical voter drives or modern Barrio Walks, the impulse for local mobilization remains constant. The struggle persists.