Biography
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.
