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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.. 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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

A Bulldozed South Central Farm (2006)

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1. A Bulldozed South Central Farm (2006)
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Campesinos of the South Central Farm 69 In this page, the events leading to the creation and destruction of the South Central Farm, “The Garden,” will be analyzed. Narratives from “The Garden: Fighting for an LA Urban Garden,” will be used to highlight its significance in fostering community spirit and food security among urban farmers. Through these events, the Garden exposed racial biases and inherent challenges Campesinos endured when challenging landlords during the Chicano Farm Worker Movement. image_header 2023-06-06T19:10:49-07:00
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots were one of the most violent social upheavals in US history. They were triggered by the acquittal of white police officers responsible for the beating of Rodney King, a Black man. Racial tensions along with economic inequality intensified the unrest, resulting in widespread destruction and looting. The South-Central region of Los Angeles was at the center of these riots. Following the aftermath, the city aimed to tackle its underlying causes. Residents in South-Central LA, a heavily industrialized neighborhood, were given land to increase their access to fresh crops and alleviate the frustrations experienced by those affected by poverty and unemployment. The garden became operational in 1994 and quickly transformed into a large urban farm.

Mexican-Americans and other Latino migrants during this time period experienced high unemployment rates, second to only African-Americans (LA Times). This caused many struggling to earn enough money to support themselves and their families. The farm alleviated some of these financial burdens by reducing food costs and encouraging healthier lifestyles with organic crops, which was previously only accessible to the rich. According to The Garden documentary, each family was allowed one land plot to cultivate. These plots often contained a variety of different crops and flowers. Since selling for profit was not permitted, crops were grown for personal consumption and enjoyment. Farmers often shared knowledge with neighboring plots to supplement each other's existing inventories. This approach required Campesinos to trust and cooperate with each other, fostering a strong sense of community. The farm became a nurturing environment where farmers provided support and care for one another.

When the land was sold to Ralph Horowitz in 2003, the Campesinos refused to leave the farm (The Garden). Their actions were not driven by a disregard for the landowner’s property rights but due to their heavy reliance on the farm as their main food source. Despite knowing of this imminent demolition threat, the Campesinos had no choice but to continue working the farm for survival. This was made worse by the allocation of resources to the legal efforts needed to challenge the eviction orders which caused many to not have enough funds to purchase seeds. As a result, campesinos pooled seed supplies together in order to support their struggling neighbors. In addition, the seed table had a spray-painted message that portrayed a fearful sentiment of how the garden demolition would destroy the dreams and livelihoods of all farmers. This scene demonstrated the care and sympathy Campesinos had for each other during financial hardships. The shared sentiment fostered familial bonds among the Campesinos and united them against a common threat to their established way of life.

Horowitz initially agreed to sell the property but backed off due to his disapproval of the Campesinos’ “cause and conduct.” He clarified that he would not sell the property to the farmers regardless of the amount of money (The Garden). His refusal can be interpreted as Horowitz perceiving the opposition as disruptive and unlawful, invoking stereotypes that cast poor farmers as criminals. His disregard for his own words revealed that he did not consider the Campesinos as equal parties in the conflict. An appeals court reversed the lower court's demolition injunction, which forced the Campesinos to obstruct traffic and prevent bulldozers from entering the farm. This showcased the farmers' persistence in safeguarding the land they cherished and preserving the memories they had cultivated there. However, the protesters were seen as disruptive and were apprehended by police. By not helping the protesters, the police were perceived as being aligned with wealthy landowners rather than community members. This also created an impression that the police could be easily influenced by the wealth of certain individuals and were adversaries rather than protectors of the community. Despite heartfelt pleas, the protesters were unable to change the farm’s fate. Their tearful faces can be seen while viewing the destruction. As a result, the land was cleared and left barren for over a decade.

Overall, the South Central Farmers adopted many strategies used by the Chicano Farm Worker movement such as peaceful public protests, direct appeal to politicians, and support mobilization in local communities. The demolition exposed the wealth and power disparity of Chicano farmers, who were left to scramble for another source of food. While the owner's refusal to sell the land exposed inherent racism in the public’s general thoughts. Their failed efforts to continue operations demonstrate the years of marginalization and underrepresentation endured by farmers, underscoring their demands for equal justice and treatment.

Citations:
- A&E Television Networks. (2017, April 18). Los Angeles Riots. History. https://www.history.com/topics/1990s/the-los-angeles-riots
- Felker-Kantor, M. (1970, April 1). The 1992 Los Angeles Rebellion: “No justice, no peace.” Origins. https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/may-2017-1992-los-angeles-rebellion-no-justice-no-peacelanguage_content_entity=en#:~:text=Unemployment%20rates %20for%20blacks%20in%201992%20hovered%20between, and%20a%20poverty%20rate%20of%20over%20thirty%20percent.
- Geronimo, M. (2021). Cultivating Food Autonomy: The South Central Farm and Decentralized Gardening. UCLA. ProQuest ID: Geronimo_ucla_0031N_20298. Merritt ID: ark:/13030/m5k13x43. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4j69h17c
- Los Angeles Times. (2015, April 29). How much has L.A. really changed since the 1992 riots?. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-los-angeles-changed-1992-riots-20150429-htmlstory.html
- South Central Farm. Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/South_Central_Farm
- Nelson, W., et al. (Producers), & Kennedy, S. H. (Director). (2008). The Garden: Fighting for an LA Urban Garden [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.kanopy.com/en/ucla/video/245548
- Ngo, A. (2018, August 20). Hope grows at the once “magical” site of La’s south central farm. LAist. https://laist.com/news/new-hope-sprouts-in-fight-to-bring-back-las-historic-south-central-farm
- Uncube. (2014, May 5). Surviving South Central. uncube magazine. https://www.uncubemagazine.com/blog/12844525