This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

US Latinx Activism and Protests: From the Farm to the (Legislative) Table Art produced during the Chicanx Movement Abstract: In the midst of change, The Chicanx Movement was a monumental time for Mexican Americans in the United States during the late 1960s. The movement addressed the social, economic, and political inequalities experienced by Mexican Americans across the nation. Aimed to celebrate and acknowledge cultural pride and identity, the movement also sought to reclaim and celebrate Mexican and Mexican American history, art, and culture. The Chicanx Movement played a significant role in shaping the Latino identity and influencing subsequent social justice movements, and the artwork produced during this time allowed for many to voice their opinions on the political and social climate of the U.S during the time. LA Demonstrations During the Chicano Movement Abstract: The Chicano Movement was a movement that involved Mexican-Americans all over the United States and was a crucial component to establishing civil rights for Latinos. While Chicanos living in the United States were at the focal point of discrimination in society, they figured that it was best to come together and establish a sense of familiarity in order to combat these racial remarks and disadvantages. To spark attention to their cause and movement, many Chicanos participated in numerous demonstrations and while many were peaceful, many considered them as radical. By Steve, Lexi, and Ricardo Bracero Program In this project we will be analyzing a number of facets of the Bracero Program with a specific focus on the causes, on both sides of the border, which culminated in the agreement. Consequently, we will explore the historical context of the US and Mexico of the first half of the twentieth century, including the impact of the Mexican Revolution as well as the dire situation brought about by the second world war. By utilizing this basis we will then analyze the “migration aspect” entailed by the program, travel from Mexico to the US and various territories. Not only as an in depth look at the agreement, but also as a necessary foundation. One which will permit the Bracero Program to be positioned in history, while simultaneously deepening the exposition and understanding of a largely forgotten case of large-scale abuse and exploitation. We anticipate this will form the backbone of the examination of bracero experiences: first-hand accounts and testimonials.. By Fernando, Joy and Lizeth Guatemalan Genocide & Its Dark Truth This page will focus on the Guatemalan genocide, a period of brutal violence that brought tremendous adversity to those indigenous communities residing in the rural areas of Guatemala. It will provide details regarding the atrocities that the Mayan people experienced, the trauma that was left behind, and the hardships that they continue to face today. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how this heinous period of history fostered activism and social movements in Guatemala. By Paola Chavarria and & Aurora Nieves Chicano Farm Worker Movement In this project, we will be discussing about the Chicano Farm Worker Movement and how it brought change to not only farm workers but to society as a whole. We will be focused on the working conditions of farm workers prior and after the movement, notable or influential leaders, and the communities that were fueling the movement. By examining their struggles, successes, and legacy, we wanted to provide a better understanding of the process needed to advocate and bring forth social change for a marginalized group of people. Last, we wanted to remove stereotypes and other misconceptions about the movement in creating a more equitable society. Por: Justin Bui, Kristi Kang, Jenniffer Young Las "Brujas" Feministas: Magazines, Art, and Television This project intends to provide a comprehensive analysis of women's representation in different mediums such as art, television, and fanzines. In this way, the goal is to understand the gender stereotypes that women have had to overcome from a feminist perspective. Through this discussion, the hope is to amplify women's voices to promote inclusive and equitable representation in society. By Claudia Mejia, Janet Landa, Diana Andrade Walkouts and Protests in Los Angeles On our page, we will discuss the walkouts and protests that took place within schools and communities across Los Angeles. The school protests happened because Latino students wanted to see a change in the education system. Some of the changes Latino students wanted to see implemented were hiring more Chicano professors and administrators, having more Chicano Studies classes in higher education, and overall being treated better without discrimination or judgment. In the 1960s, high school students faced racism and discrimination, which included a lack of education and insufficient school buildings in comparison to those of white students in the area. Walkouts famously took place at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where there was a large population of Latino students. In 1993, college students also faced a lack of Chicano education when budget cuts put the Chicano classes at UCLA at risk of being shut down. This led to a hunger strike, where UCLA students protested and ultimately helped to establish the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o Studies. In the years leading up to 1965, Latino and Black communities also protested because they wanted to see a change in the way they were treated. The Black community finally had enough in 1965 and the Watts Riots happened, which in the end led to positive changes in their community. By Sydney Schwinger, Vanessa Harris, Jazmin Chavez

Anti-War Protest at UCLA in 1970s

This page has annotations:

This page is referenced by:

Walkouts and Protests in Los Angeles On our page, we will discuss the walkouts and protests that took place within schools and communities across Los Angeles. The school protests happened because Latino students wanted to see a change in the education system. Some of the changes Latino students wanted to see implemented were hiring more Chicano professors and administrators, having more Chicano Studies classes in higher education, and overall being treated better without discrimination or judgment. In the 1960s, high school students faced racism and discrimination, which included a lack of education and insufficient school buildings in comparison to those of white students in the area. Walkouts famously took place at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where there was a large population of Latino students. In 1993, college students also faced a lack of Chicano education when budget cuts put the Chicano classes at UCLA at risk of being shut down. This led to a hunger strike, where UCLA students protested and ultimately helped to establish the UCLA César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o Studies. In the years leading up to 1965, Latino and Black communities also protested because they wanted to see a change in the way they were treated. The Black community finally had enough in 1965 and the Watts Riots happened, which in the end led to positive changes in their community. By Sydney Schwinger, Vanessa Harris, Jazmin Chavez
Throughout Los Angeles' entire history, peaceful protests have taken place in the form of strikes, walkouts, marches, rallies, and more. Activism is seen across all kinds of people, and is often highlight by youth in the community. This is why peaceful protests are often taking place at schools and universities, where young people are learning how to advocate for themselves and for others. Los Angeles has a long history of protests and riots, including the famous LA riots of 1992, Vietnam War protests in the 1970s, and George Floyd protests in 2020. These protests often take place when marginalized groups are being abused, taken advantage of, or they are not receiving the same rights as other groups. Here, we will highlight protests that took place on three separate occasions in LA to show how people in the community fought against adversity and how they were often met with much resistance.

The 1968 Walkout at Roosevelt High School
In 1968, Roosevelt High School became one of five centers for Chicanx demonstration. It is estimated that in total, around 20,000 community members, teachers, and students walked out of their classrooms during the first week of March of 1968. Schools serving predominantly Chicanx populations in East LA had been neglected by the school district. Chicanx students at these schools lacked access to college preparatory classes, inclusive curriculums, and they suffered the effects of racist staff and faculty. These issues, after being ignored by the school's board of directors, served as the foundation for the demonstrations at across five high schools of East LA. In an analysis of protestors’ signs and testimonies from the day, it is clear that those involved understood that this movement for equality and representation in the school system was integral in the broader movement for Chicanx liberation.

The Watts Riots of 1965
In the Watts community in 1965, riots erupted after a black man, Marquette Frye, was arrested for drunk driving. A crowd had formed and they began to fight back against the police because they believed they were assaulting Marquette and treating him unfairly. This caused a riot to form, which led to more police officers and members of the community to gather and riot. The Watts Riots lasted 6 days, and in total, 34,000 people joined. The riot resulted in 600 damaged buildings, 200 destroyed buildings, 3,500 people arrested, it caused 34 deaths, 1,032 injuries, and about $40 million in damages. The Watts Rebellion happened because the Black community had faced a lot of discrimination by police and they lived in segregated areas that had unfair living and working conditions. Tensions had been high and the arrest of Marquette Frye was the last straw for them. The riots led to some changes in the community, such as creating better relationships with police, improved housing, created higher-paying jobs, and improved education. The community became more united, which improved their relationships with each other. These changes were not easy, but they happened, and have improved the Watts community.

The 1993 UCLA Hunger Strike
After Chancellor Charles E. Young denied requests for Chicano/a Studies to receive its own departmental status at UCLA, students expressed their anger by participating in a hunger strike. A total of 9 students and one professor took place in the strike by consuming only water for a total of two weeks. Other students showed their support by participating in on campus rallies as well. While Chancellor Young continued to stand his ground on his decision, the Chicano/a Studies program eventually did receive its own department in 2005. It was appropriately named after César E. Chávez, who was known for using hunger strikes as a form of peaceful protest on multiple occasions throughout his life.
Conclusion
Many patterns presented themselves as we analyzed these three specific Los Angeles Protests. One of these being how young people learned to advocate for their rights in their communities. While Latinx, Chicanx, and Black groups were the ones who were specifically being targeted, we found that people of all backgrounds were supportive of these people in their communities and were willing to help them fight for justice. Another pattern across all of these protests was unnecessarily aggressive reactions from the police. In fact, some of the protests were sparked by police brutality. Most movements begin with peaceful protests, but they are met with violence from police officers who bring gear and weapons with them to deal with unarmed citizens. This is why protests can often result in riots that are more out of control. Overall, we have learned that protests have been a part of LA's culture of activism for a long time and have succeeded in enacting change in the past, but there is still much to be done to achieve more justice in the future.