Juan "Freddie Freak" Trujillo Main Menu Juan "Freddie Freak" Trujillo An overview of the life and work of Juan "Freddie Freak" Trujillo and his work in relation with the Chicano movement. Much of his work was focused on the Coors Strike, UMAS, and Cucaracha. UMAS During the 60s and 70s an activist with a very unique name was starting to make headway in Colorado. How he got involved in activism is a rather interesting story... Coors Boycott The Beer and the Boycott La Cucaracha Newspaper In 1976 a new kind of newspaper was started to deliver the new that Latinos felt was being left out. Read below to out about the journey of the newspaper External Links/Resources

Biography

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Juan "Freddie Freak" Trujillo was an activist born in Trinidad, CO in 1938. After experiencing racism and sexism through his work in Boulder, CO, he turned his attention to the Chicano movement. He went as far as California to join the cause before coming back to Colorado where he will dedicate most of his time. Although he was a lithographer by trade, Juan, helped progress the movement by informing the population of their cause. Such examples include aiding a Chicano Movement group in the University of Colorado-Boulder, the Coors Boycott, and the La Cucaracha Newspaper which was printed in Pueblo, Colorado. 


After returning to Colorado in his 30’s, Trujillo, enrolled into the University of Colorado Boulder. On campus he will experience a so called communist group advocating for “Chicano pride”. He became entranced by the ideology and enthusiasm of these people. Little did he know the group was the United Mexican American Students or "UMAS". As a member of “UMAS”, they will come to challenge the issues effecting the Mexican Americans of this region.


In 1966 Freddie Freak along with many other Mexican Americans issued a boycott against the Coors brewing company. There issues included were the hiring practices of the company discriminating by race. An example of the inequality would can be seen in the low percentage of Mexican Americans working at that company. His background as a printer helped their situation as he helped produce the flyers, stickers, etc. in order to advertise the cause.

Some of the problems the Chicano movement faced was lack of publicity. As a result the newspaper known as La Cucaracha was erected to solve it. Freddie Freak will become involved in the newspaper and experience the negative view the other forms of mainstream media had towards it. The paper was a weapon for those that have had no recognition and therefore no voice. The paper became that voice for the Latino population and expressed the stories or grievances of this demographic.


In his old age Juan Trujillo continues to advocate for change. He creates many forms of media and presentations designed to educate the population of his shared cause. Freddie Freak in his efforts to contribute to the growth of the Chicano Movement has helped change Colorado to what we see today.

 

This page has paths:

  1. Juan "Freddie Freak" Trujillo Nathan Fletcher, Joseph Alvarado, Craig Hayson, Ryan Archuleta

Contents of this path:

  1. Early Life
  2. Life Before College

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