Juan "Freddie Freak" Trujillo

Involvement With UMAS

Protests at the University of ColoradoIn the years since his introduction into the Chicano movement, Trujillo has tended to describe his introduction to the United Mexican American Students (UMAS)  as an epiphany. Trujillo also said that it was his  "destiny to become a foot-solider in the struggle for equality for Chicanos and Chicanas everywhere." It was in the year 1970 Trujillo was first introduced to UMAS, and  took part in a summer program that was offered by UMAS. Later that fall he enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

As an activist, Trujillo used his skills and experience while promoting free concerts to brings famous bands such as The Grateful Dead to Boulder. Trujillo was also involved in student government and was elected to a University of Colorado Senate position in his time as a student at the college. As more money was pumped into the university, so too was Trujillo's understanding of money. This made him an excellent  organizer. With his new found powers he was able to brings event such as La Fiesta de la Gente, which is a popular event that features local marching bands, mariachi, and parades which primarily takes place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also brought  other notable Chicano artists to the college town.

While he was at University of Colorado at Boulder, the college became a place of growing Chicano culture and political awareness. This was becoming a huge problem for the people in charge of the college. They responded in force by cutting programs which enabled Chicano students to enroll at University of Colorado at  Boulder. This was a major blow to UMAS, at a university of 20,000 the rate of Chicano students enrolling exploded in a four year period. From 1968 with a little under 50 Chicano students to 1972 with about 1200 Chicano students. This situation caused such friction with UMAS and fellow Chicano activists and the top brass at University of Colorado at Boulder, this lead to mass protests.

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