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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

Chicano Moratorium

The Chicano Moratorium emerged as a response to the disproportionate impact of the Vietnam War on Mexican Americans. With a high number of Latino troops drafted and experiencing higher casualty rates, Mexican Americans faced discrimination and inequality both in the war and back home. Factors such as limited access to education and economic opportunities contributed to their overrepresentation in Vietnam casualties. Initially motivated by patriotism and a desire to prove themselves, the Chicano community eventually grew disillusioned with the war and formed the Chicano Moratorium, a massive protest in East Los Angeles in 1970. This movement, joined by over 20,000 Mexican Americans, aimed to raise awareness about the unjust treatment of their community, demand equal rights, and challenge systemic racism and oppression.

The Chicano Moratorium, a protest on August 29, 1970, initially intended to be peaceful in response to Latino deaths in the Vietnam War, quickly turned chaotic. It resulted in the death of Ruben Salazar and around 200 arrests. The protest started near Belvedere Park, with participants marching along various streets until reaching Laguna Park for a rally. However, clashes between police and protesters erupted at a liquor store, escalating with the use of riot control measures and tear gas. The situation intensified, leading to fires and confusion, and eventually required additional law enforcement units. Eventually chaos subsided leading to a day that will never be forgotten.

A remarkable feminist leader and organizer of Tongva and Mexican heritage, Gloria Arellanes played a key role in the Chicano Moratorium. Not only did Arellanes mobilize thousands of Chicanos while working for the National Chicano Moratorium Committee in 1969 and 1970, but she had also previously served for two years as the first female minister for the Brown Berets. In February 1970, she and the female membership separated from the Brown Berets due to their discriminatory macho culture and formed the women's group "Las Adelitas de Aztlán," which Arellanes led. The Adelitas played an active role in demonstrations, reclaiming their power. Six months after the August Moratorium, they opened a medical clinic, La Clínica Familiar del Barrio, which supplied free medical services to the community, including women’s reproductive care. The clinic continues to serve the East L.A. community today as AltaMed.

Ruben Salazar was a prominent journalist and civil rights activist during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 70s. Born in Juarez, Mexico, Salazar grew up in El Paso, Texas, and went on to study journalism at Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso). He later worked for several newspapers in California, including the Los Angeles Times, where he served as a foreign correspondent in Vietnam. Salazar’s involvement in the Chicano Movement was primarily through his journalism, which focused on issues facing the Mexican-American community in the U.S. He was an advocate for civil and human rights, and his reporting helped bring attention to police brutality and discrimination against Chicanos. Salazar’s life was tragically cut short on August 29, 1970, during the Chicano Moratorium in East Los Angeles. Salazar was covering the peaceful protest against the Vietnam War when he was struck and killed by a tear gas canister fired by a sheriff’s deputy. His death sparked outrage and protest within the Chicano community, who saw it as an example of police brutality and the government’s disregard for their rights. Salazar’s legacy continues to inspire journalists and activists today. He was posthumously awarded the George Polk Award for Journalism in 1971, and a park in East Los Angeles was named in his honor. There are also annual Ruben Salazar scholarships and journalism awards given to students who demonstrate a commitment to social justice and equality.

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The Chicano Moratorium emerged as a response to the disproportionate impact of the Vietnam War on Mexican Americans, who faced higher casualty rates due to factors such as limited access to education and economic opportunities. With Mexican Americans accounting for a higher percentage of deaths compared to their population, their contribution went underappreciated and underestimated. This led to the formation of the Chicano Moratorium, a massive protest in East Los Angeles in 1970, where over 20,000 Mexican Americans marched to challenge the mistreatment of their community in the war.
This page examines the Chicana feminists behind the August 1970 Moratorium, spotlighting the remarkable organizing and leadership of Gloria Arellanes. Not only did Arellanes serve for two years as the first female minister for the Brown Berets, but she mobilized thousands of Chicanos while working for the National Chicano Moratorium Committee Against the Vietnam War in 1969 and 1970. Working with the Brown Berets, Arellanes and other women faced a stifling male-dominated macho culture and ultimately dropped their memberships in February 1970 to form their own organization, Las Adelitas de Aztlán, led by Arellanes.

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