La Cucaracha, May 2020 1 La Cucaracha, May 2020 2

2020 Cinco de Mayo Committee Members: Dario Madrid, Theresa Trujillo, Rita J. Martinez, Denise Torrez, Deborah Espinosa, Juan Espinosa, Maria Vega Clark, Carmen Arteaga, Velia Rincon, Victoria Obregon. Tomás Martinez Ortega. Vicente Martinez Ortega. Neva Martinez Ortega. Judy Baca, Deborah Martinez Martinez, Bob Pacheco, Robert Donovan, Augustine “Tito” Vega, Yesenia Beascochea, José Anselmo Ortega, Lupe Montez Robles, Naomi Garcia Murillo, Tonic Rodriguez, Rachael Plazola, Andronica Ponce, Bernie Esquibel Tennant, Jake Robinson, Phyllis Robinson, Cindy Fuentes and Margarito Fuentes. Not pictured: Tomás Lucero, Precious Molina, Jennie Rose Ortega, Nicole Decker, David Montez and Tziavii Stephens. Damn Pandemic! El Cinco indefinitely postponed

For only the second time in 50 years, premier of an exhibit commemorating La campaign to abolish the state Columbus Day Pueblo’s string of traditional Cinco de Mayo Cucaracha newspaper. holiday in Colorado. celebrations in the park has been broken. Some of those events may be rescheduled It is also a chance to look at some of the This year, the culprit is COVID-19. The first once the pandemic crisis has passed. pressing issues of the day, from the time was in 1994 when the threat of gang One of the plans that didn’t get cancelled is perspective of the Chicano Community. violence was the motive for cancelling El this special edition of La Cucaracha. It is fitting Below is a list of some of the original La Cinco. Instead, a Cinco de Mayo Walk Against that La Cucaracha be part of the celebration Cucaracha staff members and former Violence was organized. because it was founded in Pueblo in May contributors who worked on this publication. Also broken, are the hearts of the Cinco de 1976. Guillermo DeHerrera Mayo committee members who have been We realize a newspaper is not a substitute Juan & Deborah Espinosa building up to the 50th anniversary for several for a week of activities. It is an opportunity to years. Without the pandemic, El Cinco de get some of the original staff members back Margarito & Cynthia Fuentes Mayo promised to be a special anniversary. . together, to bring the Chicano community up to David Martinez In addition to the celebration at Bessemer date on some of the important issues that Park, a slate of other planned activities also dominated the pages four decades ago. Deborah Martinez-Martinez have been shelved including a student In a way, this special edition in a victory lap Rita J. Martinez conference at Colorado State University- for the organizers who fought for the historic Pablo Mora Pueblo, a car show, film festival and the rights to the Sangre de Cristo Mexican Land Grant; and for those who conducted a 27-year Bob Pacheco La Cucaracha, May 2020 3

Photos provided by Carmen Arteaga LEFT: Brown Berets pose with a banner of Che Guevara they carried in the 1972 Cinco de Mayo Parade. RIGHT: Victor and Bea Roybal were among the many families and organizations that participated in the early Cinco parades. 50 Years of Cinco de Mayo in Pueblo

For the past five decades, Pueblo has been y Seis de Septiembre (Sept. 16, Mexico's power!” Floats in the 1971 parade were the place to be on El Cinco de Mayo. Independence Day) would be held in Denver, equally diverse. Groups entering floats But this year, under the dark cloud of the and El Cinco de Mayo would be held in included HeadStart, Pueblo County High COVID-19 pandemic, the festivities in Pueblo," she said. School's Spanish Club, La Raza Unida, the Bessemer Park have been put on hold. The pact between the Denver and Pueblo Case Verde Club, Charro Club and entries from East and South high schools. Because it is the 50th anniversary, of what activists lasted only a few years, but it was has become known as the traditional Cinco enough to kick-start one of Pueblo's most The Colorado State University Extension de Mayo in the park, a week of activities enduring commemorative traditions. Office sponsored a tortilla-rolling contest in were planned. Ever since then, there have been Cinco de the park, as part of the festivities. Pueblo has long claimed El Cinco as its Mayo activities in one of Pueblo's parks, That year, District 60 reported 3,500 students own. except for 1994 when they were cancelled were absent from the city's middle and high because of threatened gang violence. That schools on May 5. In years following, the day According to Rita J. Martinez, coordinator year, the committee organized a peace was designated as a teacher in-service day, of the Pueblo Cinco de Mayo committee, that involving hundreds of youths from the and students were excused for the day. was the deal Colorado Chicano activists city's high schools. reached years ago. Pueblo established itself as the hub of the The Chicano Movement and La Raza Unida region's Cinco de Mayo celebrations. A May "In 1969 it was decided by Chicano political party focused on the historic date as 4, 1972, news story reported that two activists from Denver and Pueblo that El Diez a day of protest and education. Beginning caravans, one starting in Lamar and another with the East L.A. Walkouts in 1968, Chicano 40 cars from Walsenburg, were coming to students throughout the Southwest began Pueblo for the festivities. using El Cinco as a day to demonstrate Over the years, Pueblo's Cinco de Mayo in against high dropout rates and the lack of the park continued to evolve. Often, Golden Chicanos going to college. Gloves boxing cards were added. Folkloric According to newspaper clippings from dance groups brought colorful and 1970, the Cinco de Mayo was embraced by traditional dances from many regions of many segments of the community. That year, Mexico. Lowriders and car shows, a 5K an estimated 2,500 people attended activities run, and teatro were popular activities. in Mineral Palace Park where Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales of Denver was the keynote Pueblo's Chicano bands have provided speaker. the soundtrack to the celebration. For A Mariachi Mass was said at the park's several years, El Cinco was the venue for bandshell accompanied by Los Mariachis de a battle of bands like Maya, Burnt Mill Pueblo. Later that night at Zaragoza Hall, Road, Abraxas and San Juan. On at least Joaquin Diaz, Leonard Flores and Henry two occasions, concerts featuring El Reyes delivered speeches. Chicano and another with Celia Cruz The 1971 Cinco de Mayo planning (1973) packed City Auditorium. committee consisted of 17 community The earliest Cinco de Mayo celebrations organizations. Parade entries ranged from the Brown Berets to the Pride City Baton were organized by Mexican immigrants Corps. with a motive of creating a forum for Photo by Juan Espinosa bringing the community together, Brown Berets, carrying a statue of La Cochise Gomez waves Mexican Flag at a Virgin de Guadalupe at the head of their unit, Cinco celebration in Bessemer Park in 2010, raised clenched fists and shouted “Chicano See CINCO, Page 6 La Cucaracha, May 2020 4

CINCO, From Page 5 celebrating Mexican culture, honoring Gen. Ignacio Zaragosa’s heroism and military brilliance and teaching the community a little Mexican history. When the Chicano Movement seized the day to protest a long list of grievances, there was considerable friction between the factions. Despite their political differences, many groups continued to host Cinco events, and the holiday's base has widened. The 1990s also saw the increase in local gang activity as the barrio-unity philosophy gave way to neighborhood rivalries. For many years, Cinco in the park was neutral territory, but that broke down in 1993, when several fights broke out at Bessemer Park. But the next year, the threats continued, and it was decided to cancel the Cinco in the park and organize a citywide "March to Stop the Violence." youth. "We must be just like those people other nonprofit organization use to raise Hundreds marched through Downtown to who fought against the French, who did funds. the Pueblo County Courthouse, where not give into fear," Robyn Gonzales, then "They sell beer and we don't," she said. several young speakers called for 17, was quoted in a local newspaper. and mutual respect. "But theirs is a fundraiser. That's the Martinez said there are big differences reason behind it — to raise funds for The significance of the true meaning of between the Cinco de Mayo activities those groups. the Cinco de Mayo was not lost on the

Zaragoza Society celebrated El Cinco in Pueblo in 1920s

Though the Cinco in the park has been 1950s and continued to offer mutual aid the longest continuous commemoration, to its members and scholarships to it wasn't the first. According to The Hispanic students until recent years. Pueblo Chieftain archives, a Cinco de In addition to offering mutual aid, the Mayo celebration was organized on May group's bylaws also provided for the 5 and 6, 1928, by "Pueblo Mexicans." observance of the Mexican national There were no names in the brief story, holidays and social events. According to but it said that the planned activities some published reports, the society Photos by Margarito Fuentes included coronation of a Cinco de Mayo began commemorating El Cinco de ABOVE: Children watch the entertainment at the queen, a parade from the Pueblo County Mayo in 1930. 1979 Cinco. Courthouse to City Park, food booths at BELOW:The pie eating contest was a big hit in 1977. When the group's membership the park and a dance. The program also disbanded in 2009, it was one of the included "patriotic" speeches from oldest Hispanic organizations in the prominent figures in the city. The state. Some consider it an early civil- Mexican consul to Denver was an rights organization, because its stated honored guest. purpose was to "band together as a Six years earlier, 12 men who spoke mutual aid Society to cope with the many only Spanish organized the Sociedad problems obstructing progress in their Mutualista Ignacio Zaragoza, proverbial pursuit of happiness." recognizing El Cinco de Mayo by naming During the Great Depression years, the group in honor of the 32-year-old there was no mention of Cinco de Mayo Mexican army general credited with activities in the newspaper archives. masterminding the French Army's first Organizations like the Zaragoza Society defeat in more than 50 years — Gen. and the Commisíon Honorifica Mexicana Ignacio Zaragoza. continued to celebrate El Cinco within According to a booklet published by their membership, but it wasn't until 1970 the group, Zaragoza Society formed in that the holiday became a citywide 1922 to render aid to those damaged by event. Pueblo's Flood of 1921. The organization built Zaragoza Hall in Bessemer in the La Cucaracha, May 2020 5

Photo by Juan Espinosa Photo by Juan Espinosa Rita J. Martinez and State Sen. Angela Giron celebrate women warriors at 2013 Cinco. Heavy rain drove El Cinco activities into El Pueblo History Museum in 2015. Here drummers draw a crowd in one of the classrooms.

Photo by Margarito Fuentes A Trio, consisting of Martin Ortega, Antonio Ortega and Juan Zarate, performs at the 1979 Cinco de Mayo.

Photo by Margarito Fuentes Photo by Juan Espinosa Gordan Raigosa tells of his strategy to eat his fill at the Freddy “Freak” Trujillo carries his Mexican-American flag and sports one of pie eating contest in 1979. his favorite T-shirts at the 2010 Cinco in the park. La Cucaracha, May 2020 6

HECHO EN AZTLAN By Cynthia Ortiz Fuentes

We’re back! It’s been a long time and we have all experienced joys, trials, sorrows, challenges and celebrations. Through the years, I hope your creativity has not gone dormant but, that you have experimented with different mediums and activities (clay, paint, fiber arts, quilting, metals, glass, cooking, gardening, etc). Continue doing so and if you haven’t, there’s no time like now to start. Online Photos by Juan Espinosa tutorials, Pinterest, you tube, and local In recent years, indigenous dancers adorned with feathers libraries offer amazing ideas. Check out had danced to the beat of a different drum. In this 2018 Craftychica.com. photo, the group is honoring the four directions. There are many projects to share but recycling craft projects are favorites. This project calls for 2 pockets from a pair of jeans (a pair too tattered to pass down or donate). Did you know it takes approximately 1800 gallons of water to make 1 pair of jeans? Recycle!

Cell phone bag

Materials: 1. Pair of jeans (any size) 2. Fabric glue (Not glue gun!). Find at craft stores. 3. Strap material (5/8 inch ribbon, La Familia Coca of Aguilar closed out the 2017 festivities braided yarn, old strap) Need 1 ½ yard for at Bessemer Park. a crossbody bag

Optional: 4. Embellishments (iron on patches, markers, beads, paint, glitter, etc.) for pockets. 5. Lace or trim for edging of bag.

Directions:

1. Cut pockets from jeans. Decorate as desired. Fig.1 2. Lay one pocket face down on flat surface, spread a layer of glue around the pockets, which are filled with inside side and bottom edge and lay end treasures and pictures. The possibilities of strap about 4 inches on one edge and are endless! lay the other end on opposite side of pocket. (Fig. 2) If using, glue lace on It has been fun writing for La edge before laying straps down. Cucaracha again! Support and 3. Lay the other pocket on top, wrong encourage the many great crafters and sides together. Clip together with artisanos that enrich our communities. In 2018, the Cinco de Mayo committee added a full car clothespins, or large clips. Fig. 3. Let dry Share your skills, talents, stories and show as part of the annual day's events at Bessemer Park. overnight. Done! (Can sew together traditions with family and friends. Keep Years prior, only a small exhibition with a few cars was instead of gluing, need denim needle) our cultura strong. Recycle and reuse as included. The car show was a huge success and the much as possible. Future generations feedback was very positive. However, due to a family death If you have several pockets, make a depend on what we do today. God bless in 2019 and the COVID-19 in 2020, the car shows were pocket panel. Stitch strips of jeans to you and yours, stay safe! cancelled. Nonetheless, we are hoping for an easement of make a backing and stitch or glue pockets the Stay-at-Home Order by end of summer so that we can once again organize our Cinco de Mayo Car Show and on panel. Fold over a hem on top edge to Flaming hearts can represent several stick a dowel through for hanging on wall. showcase this beautiful aspect of our culture. Stay tuned things, charity, sincerity, love, and, for future announcements about this event. My 97-year-old dad has a panel on his gratitude. wall with logos from his baseball caps on La Cucaracha, May 2020 7

Photos by Juan Espinosa A lively crowd protests the 2019 Columbus Day in Pueblo. Because the holiday has been abolished, it may have been the last. No More Columbus Day

The series of events that led to Mankato, Portland, San Francisco, panels, and guest lecturers. For 2019 bill passed the House the abolition of Columbus Day in Santa Fe, Seattle, St. Paul, Tacoma, Chicanos, this was a formative time committee and the full House of Colorado began 30 years ago in and dozens more. — a time to better understand our Representatives but died in a Quito, Ecuador. In a press release, Martinez native and indigenous roots, a way Senate committee. It was the summer of 1990 when talked about the 27 years of to more fully embrace our identity.” The 2020 bill — House Bill 350 representatives from Native organizing. In addition to the contentious 20-1031 — was carried by Reps. American groups throughout the We’d protest at the gathering of protests at the statue in Pueblo’s Adrienne Benavidez and Kyle Western Hemisphere met in Quito Italians lauding this first terrorist of Mesa Junction, a parallel struggle Mullica. It would repeal Columbus at the first Intercontinental the Americas and laying wreaths in has taken place in the Colorado Day and replace it with Frances Gathering of Indigenous People in tribute to his massacres,” she said. legislature since 2007, when Sen. Xavier Cabrini Day. This bill passed the Americas. The agenda was to Police officers with binoculars, Suzanne Williams drafted a bill to the House and moved on to a mobilize against the 500th cameras, and some with rifles, repeal Columbus Day and replace it Senate committee sponsored by anniversary of Columbus Day watched from the rooftops. Over the with a floating state holiday. In every Sens. Angela Williams and Chris planned for 1992. years crowd-control barriers were legislative session through 2018, a Hansen. It was then taken to the In the United States, Colorado brought in to create what police similar bill has been introduced, but Senate floor where it passed and became a focal point for the protest called a “demilitarized zone” never made it out of House moved on to Gov. Polis’ desk. It was against Columbus because the between the protestors and committees. signed on March 20, 2020. holiday to honor him has its roots Columbus Day celebrants. In 2019, Rep. Adrienne Benavidez This is how your local legislators here. Pueblo legislators carried the “We coupled the protests with and Sen. Julie Gonzales sponsored voted: Rep. Daneya Esgar (D)-YES bill to make it a statutory state educational forums,” Martinez said. a bill to repeal Columbus Day and to Abolish Columbus Day and Rep. holiday in 1907. “We had debates, interviews, replace it with Colorado Day. This Bri Buentello (D) -NO, and Rep. “I am proud to have organized, Donald Valdez (D) -NO. Senator with many others, my community’s Leroy Garcia voted -YES to Abolish 28-year movement to re-examine Columbus Day. the Columbus legacy and abolish With the March 20, 2020 signing this holiday,” said Rita J. Martinez, of House Bill 20-1031 by Gov. Polis, an organizer of the protests in Colorado will no longer celebrate a Pueblo. paid holiday in Christopher “Columbus Day was born here Columbus’ name. The statewide 30 and with the signing of this bill, it year struggle has included dies here,” she said after being told participants from many states, all Gov. Jared Polis had signed the races, many ethnicities, and many legislation. ages, all in solidarity with abolishing Colorado is not alone. In the last Columbus Day. three decades, many states have The Colorado Chapter of the chosen to abstain from any American Indian Movement has celebration of Columbus, including been instrumental in their Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont, leadership and support. The many South Dakota, and New Mexico, to legislators who were committed to name a few. Many cities also have this struggle have ultimately won. moved to replace Columbus Day This will go down in history as a with a celebration of Indigenous social justice victory, where the People’s Day — starting with people’s voices were loud and Berkeley, CA in 1992 and, as of have been heard. Now, the chant 2018, includes Austin, Boise, Photo by Juan Espinosa that has been heard for decades, is Rita J. Martinez speaks to reporters after the Columbus Day protest in 2019. Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, She organized the protests for 27 years, not knowing this would be her last. a reality, “No More Columbus Day!” La Cucaracha, May 2020 8

Photo by Juan Espinosa Supporters of the Land Rights Council gather on the Vega outside of San Luis, CO, last August to celebrate the end of the legal battle to reclaim plaintiffs’ historic rights to La Sierra. Know Your Rights On La Sierra

By: Shirley Romero Otero, per year anywhere on La Another important fact, established by Land Rights Council, President Sierra. Access holders William Harrison in 2019 during the can go up on La Sierra at community dialogues, was that no person has The legal case of Lobato vs. Taylor has any time on an ATV or his permission to remove trees or bushes come to a conclusion, and it is imperative that automobile. Contrary to from La Sierra. In the past, there have been those who have access understand their what employees on La many complaints that individuals have rights to the full extent of the law. Access Sierra tell people, you removed trees for either personal or rights that were awarded by the Colorado don’t have to have an axe commercial use without permits or permission Courts in 2002 and 2018. or power saw in hand from the ranch owner. Harrison admitted he In 1981, 118 plaintiffs filed a class action when one is scouting for a had not given anyone permission or permits lawsuit against Jack Taylor known as Lobato location to gather Shirley Otero to remove such resources. This is considered vs. Taylor, in an effort to regain “historic use firewood or timber. Grazers an “undue burden” on access holders and rights” to La Sierra. We had to reverse and have the same rights. against court orders. create new property law in Colorado while These rights are permanent and held into Although the legal case is over, if there is an challenging and defeating outsiders who have perpetuity (literally set in stone). In other attempt to restrict access or place any undue always been some of the wealthiest men in words, these rights will pass down from one burdens on access holders and such issues America, Jack Taylor, Lou Pai, Bobby Hill and generation to another until the end of time. It can’t be resolved through dialogue with both currently William Harrison. After 37 years of is also important to understand that law says parties, we will look to the courts for litigation and thousands and thousands of the owner’s rights to use the land are limited resolution. If anyone has information related hours of volunteer attorney and community and will forever be inferior to the community’s to the ranch owner’s or employee’s use of La organizing hours, the Colorado Court of dominant rights to use La Sierra. This means Sierra, or any information about the ranch Appeals, the Colorado Supreme Court and that the owner’s use of the land can never owner interfering with your rights or someone the U.S. Supreme Court handed the plaintiffs unreasonably burden or interfere with the else’s rights, please contact the Land Rights a total victory. community’s right to harvest firewood, take Council or class representatives immediately. The most current victory, by the Colorado timber, and graze their animals. Let me remind the community that Court of Appeals, Nov. 2018, in a 95-page As an example, the owner can hire staff to generations and hundreds of thousands of summary judgement, made permanent the carry out his operations and maintain the folks have struggled with us to regain the fact that thousands of properties settled by property, but that staff cannot take actions “historic use rights” that were stolen in the Chicano/Mexicano families now have that unreasonably interfere with or burden early 1960s. The victory didn’t come easy or established rights to use La Sierra to graze access holders when they exercise their without sacrifices. The struggle is not over, as their livestock, to harvest firewood, and to cut rights. Similarly, the owner cannot engage in we encourage Mr. Harrison to continue in a and take timber. any business or other operations, either community dialogue for the sake of both It is important to understand that access hunting, ranching, farming, logging, grazing, parties. holders have the right to exercise these rights or anything else, that would unreasonably 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days interfere with the plaintiff’s superior rights. La Cucaracha, May 2020 9 Los Seis de Boulder Are Remembered

Editor’s note: The following story originally appeared in Verdict, a magazine published by the National Coalition of Concerned Legal Professionals. It is reprinted here with permission.

On September 6, 2019, a memorial celebration was held at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU), dedicated to the lives of six Chicano political activists, Los Seis de Boulder (The Boulder Six), who died in two separate car bombings, two days apart, on May 27 and May 29, 1974. The memorial included the unveiling of a four-panel ceramic sculpture, created by 200 volunteers, to commemorate the six who were killed. The six were Alamosa (Colorado) attorney and CU Law School graduate Reyes Martinez, 26; CU junior Neva Romero, 21, and CU graduate Una Jaakola, 24, who died in the bombing on May 27; and former CU students, Florencio Granado, 31, and Heriberto Teran, 24; along with Francisco Photo by David Martinez Dougherty, 20, a former Army medic from Texas, who died in the bombing on May 29. Antonio Gathering at the sculpture commemorating Los Seis de Boulder on September 6, 2019 at Alcantar, standing outside the car on May 29, was the University of Colorado Boulder. severely burned and lost a leg, but he survived. To this day, the two bombings — one so powerful replaced the authentic UMAS leadership with bombs that they intended to detonate later, but it could be heard throughout Boulder — remain proxies more agreeable to university policies. In which “accidentally” exploded. Activists, how- unsolved. the fall of 1973, the university withheld the UMAS ever, have maintained that the likelihood of two Attorney Reyes Martinez was the brother of students’ financial aid that they needed for tuition, identical “accidents” in two days strains credibility, Francisco “Kiko” Martinez, also an Alamosa books, rent and food; they, in turn, occupied the and that the six were targeted for their political attorney and Chicano activist committed to regent building and issued a demand that their activism. They considered that the FBI’s serving the poor of Colorado. Kiko Martinez financial aid be released, which the university COINTELPRO (Counterintelligence Program) or served as the planner for the sculpture, as well as eventually did. other government-sanctioned operatives likely a primary organizer of the tribute to his brother In the spring of 1974, however, UMAS students, had a role in the deaths. In the days following the and the others of Los Seis. Kiko himself was who were still not receiving adequate support bombings, hundreds participated in ceremonies framed on false bombing charges in 1973 and from CU, demanded that the university-appointed mourning Los Seis de Boulder, as they came to after a 16-year battle, was finally cleared of all the leaders of UMAS be removed. UMAS students be known. In July 1974, Chicano leader Corky charges. (See Verdict, January 2013, “When The occupied CU’s TB-I building for 18 days, during Gonzalez spoke at the federal court- house in Adversary System Turns Adversary,” by Walter L. which time the two car bombs killed the six, all of Denver where protesters demonstrated against Gerash, Esq.) whom had been connected to UMAS. Police federal grand jury harassment of the families and blamed the students themselves for both friends of Los Seis. Notably, prosecutors Students Form UMAS in 1968 incidents, claiming they were carrying homemade determined there was insufficient evidence to In 1968 at the CU campus, there were charge sole survivor Antonio only 28 Mexican-American full-time Alcantar with any crime in students. Nine of those students came relation to the bombings. together to form United Mexican A Time of Social Unrest American Students (UMAS) dedicated to the political, social and economic The deaths of Los Seis de empowerment of Mexican-American Boulder occurred at a time of students in higher education. UMAS great social unrest in the developed the Educational Opportunity United States. The Civil Rights Program (EOP), which, in just a few Movement fought for better years, succeeded in increasing the homes, jobs and education for enrollment of Mexican American people of color, in an era filled students at CU to 1400. The university, with massive marches, however, never allocated adequate demonstrations and rioting in funds for the UMAS EOP; and UMAS major U.S. cities. It was also was in a constant battle with the the height of the increasingly university administration over the need unpopular Vietnam War; for more resources to enable Mexican- student protests erupted on American students to finance their campuses across the U.S., as educations. Gallup polls indicated that the majority of Americans were Occurring during the time of the Photo by Juan Espinosa opposed to the war. Vietnam War protests and the civil .In the days following the bombings, hundreds participated in rights era of political activism, UMAS ceremonies mourning Los Seis de Boulder, as they came to be known. clashed with the university, which had Here supporters carry symbolic coffins in march in Boulder in July See LOS SEIS, Page 10 1974. - La Cucaracha, May 2020 10

El Dario de la Gente file photo Photo by David Martinez Students take a vote of no-confidence in the UMAS-EOP UMAS alumni return to the steps of TB-1 during the dedication of Los administration during the 18-day occupation of TB-1 in May 1974. Seis memorial sculpture in September 2019.

LOS SEIS continued from Page 9 historically black college in Mississippi, killing highway patrol officers fired into a group of 200 three students, injuring 12 and shattering all the unarmed student protesters at South Carolina The history of the Chicano organizing efforts at windows on one side of the building. Students State University, also an historically black CU and the bombings that killed Los Seis are not were protesting in response to a false rumor that college; three students were killed and 28 were widely known, even in Colorado, but the horrific civil rights leader Charles Evers was injured. The students were protesting racial events were not unique to the era. What assassinated. In 1972, police opened fire on a segregation at a local bowling alley. occurred at Kent State on May 4, 1970 was crowd of unarmed student protesters at Southern The Continued Need to Organize nationally publicized, when the Ohio National University in Louisiana, another historically black Guard shot into a group of student protesters, college; two students were killed. The students The sculpture of Los Seis de Boulder features killing four and wounding nine others, during a were protesting the lack of adequate resources a mosaic of the faces of all six who died in the mass protest against the U.S. bombing of at their university. bombings and serves to educate people about Cambodia. Less than two weeks later, in a much these relatively unknown events and inspire Preceding these events was the even lesser people to continue to fight for social justice. less publicized event, police opened fire on a known “Orangeburg Massacre,” in 1968 when dormitory building at Jackson State University, an

Photo by Patsy Garcia Days after the second bombing, more than 100, including family members of Los Seis, attended a memorial service on the steps of TB-1. La Cucaracha, May 2020 11

Photo by Juan Espinosa Photo by Juan Espinosa Photo Courtesy of Jasmine Baetz Many of the tiles used in the ceramic sculpture were Artist Jasmine Baetz stands in Workmen erect monument on what some front of her monument. made at workshops. supporters consider sacred ground. Supporters urge CU administrators: ‘Make Los Seis sculpture permanent’

Forty-six years later, shock sculpture’s permanency. According administration said it would extend los6bouldersculptureproject@gmail. waves from two car explosions that to Baetz, CU Chancellor Phill the temporary permit “indefinitely.” com. killed six young activists continue to DiStefano announced a one-month In the face of this stalling tactic, In an interview conducted before rumble across the University of extension on Jan. 17, of this year. students organized a show of the sculpture was completed, Baetz Colorado campus in Boulder. The new deadline of March 8 was support for the sculpture on March said she learned of Los Seis in the This time, the vibrations are being set while a newly appointed Art in 11. It was attended by 150 fall of 2017, when she attended the felt by those supporting a new Public Space Committee students, faculty, staff, and screening of “Symbols of sculpture commemorating the six determined the future of the community supporters, and was Resistance,” a documentary film who died. The sculpture is a four- sculpture. one of the last events on campus about Los Seis and others in sided cement monument bearing Also at this time, the formation of before most buildings on campus Colorado who died as a result of ceramic portraits of Los Seis de a CU Boulder History Project, closed and classes were moved their involvement in the Chicano Boulder designed and erected by “charged with deepening the online due to the COVID-19 Movement. Jasmine Baetz, in mid-2019 near campus’s understanding and outbreak. “It wasn’t lost on me that if I Temporary Building 1. collective recognition of under- “We will insist that a timely hadn’t seen that film, I could have The sculpture was dedicated last represented groups and their decision is made when or before easily finished my degree here at Sept. 6, on a six-month temporary contributions to CU Boulder's rich students return to campus,” a CU without learning about Los permit. while a request for the art to and complex history,” was student press statement said. “If Seis,” Baetz said. remain permanently was under announced. you would like to send a letter of Baetz, then a graduate student in consideration. More than 500 Two days before the extended support for the permanent the Department of Art and Art attended the dedication. deadline, rather than make the installation of the sculpture on History, decided to design and build Since then, the university sculpture permanent the university campus, we are collecting them at: a memorial in their honor. administration has stalled on the La Cucaracha, May 2020 12 Southern Poverty Law Center Report Finds Hate groups growing across nation

Hate groups are growing at exponential rates violence is very real. Growing sectors of white response to the “Hispanic invasion of Texas.” He across the country and in Colorado, according to an supremacists, who call themselves praised the Christchurch shooter in New Zealand. annual report of the Southern Poverty Law Center, ‘accelerationists,’ believe mass violence is The report identified notable alleged extremist a 49-year-old nonprofit civil rights organization necessary to bring about the collapse of our plots that let to arrests in 2019. In that category it based in Montgomery, AL. The SPLC is “dedicated pluralist society.” identified an FBI sting operation in Pueblo, where to fighting hate and bigotry, and seeking justice for A series of terror attacks in the U.S. and abroad, self-proclaimed white supremacist Richard Holzer, the most vulnerable members of society.” including the mass killings in El Paso, Texas have 27, was taken into custody when he picked up two Titled “The Year In Hate and Extremism 2019,” led federal authorities to upgrade its assessment of pipe bombs and 14 sticks of dynamite from the report identified and provided recent the threat posed by racially motivated extremists to undercover agents. It was reported that Holzer was information on 940 hate a “national threat priority.” The “plotting to blow up a historic synagogue and groups in the U.S. in 2019. upgrade is based on statistics that poison congregants as part of a ‘racial holy war.’” “The number of white ...... reveal a majority of domestic terror He was wearing a Nazi armband and carrying a nationalist groups DOGS--.z: attacks are “fueled by some type of copy of Mein Kompf at the time of the arrest. identified by the SPLC rose white supremacy.” By far the worst In addition to the white nationalist groups for the second straight year, NEGROES carnage wrought by domestic previously identified, the SPLC research listed 576 a 55 percent increase since MEXICANSextremists within the last year came on “extreme antigovernment groups that were active in 2017, when Trump’s Aug.3 at a Walmart in the border town 2019, of which an additional 12 were operating in NO Colorado last year. campaign energized white of El Paso, Texas, a city that is nearly nationalists who saw him 80 percent Hispanic, when a man In that regard, the SPLC’s report stated: Three as an avatar of their opened fire with an AK-47 just as years into the term of a president who shares its grievances and their anxiety parents and children were taking penchant for conspiracy theories – about the “deep over the country’s demographic changes. The advantage of a tax-free shopping day before the state” and ’s birthplace, for example numbers are a barometer, though an imperfect one, beginning of the school year. Twenty-two people – the antigovernment “Patriot” movement has of the size and growth of the movement.” were killed and another 26 injured. Authorities found itself in the odd position of being on the According to the report: “White nationalism poses believe the 21-year-old man from Allen, Texas who same side of the very federal government it has a series of threats to national security and pluralistic surrendered to police after the shootings, posted a long professed to despise. democracy. It’s a virulent and profoundly racist and anti-immigrant screed online shortly The SPLC identified 22 hate groups operating in authoritarian ideology that infects our political before the attack. Colorado in 2019, a 68% increase of 15 new groups system with hate, fear and resentment. As this The author expressed white nationalist themes from the seven that were identified in the report demonstrates, the threat of increased about “ethnic displacement,” expressed displeasure organization’s original report published in 2012. at “race-mixing,” and referred to the attack as a

writing pioneer, according With a PCCLD library card, users Home Learning tab on the Library to Charlene Garcia Simms can access e-books, digital @ Home homepage. who nominated her and magazines, downloadable Patrons are also welcome to also published her book. audiobooks, streaming movies, access the district’s Wi-Fi network; She was also honored on music, television shows and online the network can be accessed the international stage for research and learning tools. outside any PCCLD location. To NOTICIAS finding and translating old Currently, the district has invested join, select PCCLD on your digital Noticias were a standard column Spanish documents by the more than $30,000 toward the in La Cucaracha. In June 1980, the device’s Wi-Fi tab, no password is International Biographical Center, purchase of an additional 8,000 required. paper announced that Radio KAPI Cambridge, England in 1990. titles. would read the “Noticias Chicanas” At this time patrons are asked not El Azteca — a flash from past For those who don’t have a once a week on air and will consist Cincos to return books and other library of “nuevas, vistas, y opinion.” See library card they can get an materials via library drop boxes In 1997, Central High School immediate electronic card at on coloradohistoricnewspapers.org MEChA students published the 28- even if the items are due for return. and type in ‘La Cucaracha.’ www.pueblolibrary.org via the link No fines will be assessed. All page El Azteca under the direction “Get a library card.” This immediate of Dave Marquez, Chicano Studies materials checked out and holds YEAR of La Chicana card will allow patrons to access currently in-place will be teacher. Topics included the the full array of online library Olibama Lopez Tushar (d. 2004) MEChA Assembly on May 2 with a maintained until further notice. was honored by Colorado Latino’s services. theme of ¿Quienes Somos? with PCCLD is continuing to follow Hall of Fame with the Legacy dancing, singing, poetry reading of In addition to e-resources, the Award in 2019. She is the author of mandates from Gov. Jared Polis, Xicano/Mexicano poems and an art district is also offering virtual the Center for Disease Control and The People of El Valle: A History of show. programming such as storytimes, the Spanish Colonials in the San Prevention, Colorado Department hands-on crafts, an online book of Public Health and Environment Luis Valle in its third printing. The Pueblo library services available club and more. Look for the Virtual Hall of Fame says, “Our mission to and Pueblo Department of Public online Programming tab on the Library @ Health and Environment to guide honor our heritage of leadership, Pueblo City-County Library Home homepage. advance Latino professional to the protection of our patrons, staff District’s buildings may be closed At-Home Learning resources and overall community. positions of influence, and prepare to the public, but the library is still individuals and organizations for provide free online tools to support Follow PCCLD on Facebook and serving the community online families who are homeschooling the changing demographic anytime, anywhere with The check the library’s website landscape is rooted in our children at this time. There are (www.pueblolibrary.org) for the Library @ Home. Available at links to resources for preschool unwavering belief that leadership is www.pueblolibrary.org/ latest updates. both our heritage and our legacy.” through high school; programs thelibraryathome, The Library @ include virtual tours, PE and art In 1930, Olibama was one of the Home is your hub for access to e- first Latina graduates of CU- classes, science projects and resources, virtual programming and more. To learn more, select the At- Boulder. She was a cultural and at-home learning resources. La Cucaracha, May 2020 13

Yearqf History Colorado salutes activists Activistas: Chicanas at the Forefront Then and Now

By Deborah Martinez Martinez They are examples of what La Chicana Me, Ultima,” “Quinciñera (R),” “The Cell,” “Out La Cucaracha News Service represents and what they and others have done of Sight (R),” “Girlfight (R),” “Miss Bala,” “El Movimiento: The Chicano Movement” for the Chicano community. Garcia Simms “Spanglish,” “Girl in Progress,” and “Tortilla opened as a permanent History Colorado reported that the exhibit will still be up until an Soup.” exhibit in 2019. The exhibit was ushered along undetermined time. El Pueblo History Museum staff in by El Movimiento Advisory Committee Future presentations at Rawlings Library conjunction with a community group, comprised of Colorado Chicano activists. include Deborah Espinosa, “In the Shadow of assembled a number of projects for Year of La Making the exhibit part of the core collection of History: The Story of Teresita Sandoval”; Chicana. Zack Werkowitch, Director of History Colorado means it will be there for Community Relations, met with Carmen years to come. Arteaga, Rita Martinez, Theresa Trujillo, After the opening of the museum exhibit, Denise Torrez, Velia Venegas Rincon, the Committee met with a group of Jose A. Ortega, Yesenia Beascochea, dissatisfied Chicanas led by Flor Lovato of Judy Baca, Tamara Trujillo, Maria Vega- Denver. They expressed their distress that Clark, Diane Archuleta and Judy Baca the exhibit focused on the men of El through quite a few meetings. Movimiento, leaving out the efforts of the An interest in literature led to the women from throughout the state. formation of the Year of La Chicana It was decided that Chicanas be present Book Club. Books chosen for the first throughout the exhibit, in photos, text, large three months are: I’m Not Your Perfect quotes, and significant events, Mexican Daughter, by Erika L. Sanchez, contextually, as the history unfolded, not in was a National Book Award Finalist and a one section. That would never be inclusive New York Times bestseller published by enough,” explained Deborah Espinosa. Penguin/Random House. Bless Me, The group’s answer was to create “Year Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, and Sabrina & of La Chicana” to feature many of the Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine was also a women. Year of La Chicana’s mission is National Book Award Finalist and “To celebrate and honor La Chicana past, published by Penguin/Random House. A present, and future; to share her story with fourth book was Last of the Menu Girls by a wide range of audiences; and to connect Denise Chávez, published by Arte Publico the core issues of the Chicano Movement Press in 1986 and republished as a Kindle with present-day issues of social justice, edition in 2007. identity, and inclusion.” According to Carmen Arteaga, the Book Featured Chicanas were Guadalupe Club will be ongoing until the end of the “Lupe” Briseño, of Brighton, a union year. Meetings normally held at EPHM will organizer, Juanita Dominguez, an activist, be held on ZOOM until further notice and Teresita Sandoval, an historical figure. according, Dianne Archuleta, Community Part of the Year of La Chicana was a Museum Operations Manager. Archuleta lecture at Pueblo Community College. In said, “The easiest way to hook up for the November 2019, Deborah Espinosa, Book Club is to go to the Facebook page, former director of El Pueblo History click on the event, then respond that you Museum, gave a presentation at PCC. Her will attend.” She added, “The website will presentation “In the Shadow of History: connect you to receive a link for the Teresita Sandoval, 1811 — 1894.” Teresita meeting either on phone or computer.” Sandoval is one of the women who lived at Collages of Colorado Chicanos are part of a year- When EPHM reopens, the bookstore will El Pueblo Trading Post between 1842 and long exhibit at History Colorado headquarters in have the books available for sale. 1856. Another EPHM project was to create a Forthcoming Denver events include a tapestry of Chicanas who have contributed Chicano murals conference on October 19. Chicana Literature and its Relevance, and to the community. According to Jose Ortega, Watch the website for time and format. Arlette Lucero, artist. The dates are pending. EPHM had already created a tapestry for the Although some of the lectures and events had The Rawlings Library also hosted the Dogpatch Memory Workshop, so it was another to be cancelled, the Facebook slide show, link Chicana Film Festival on Jan. 24, with step to create the Year of La Chicana tapestry on the History Colorado website, includes the coordination by library staffer Charlene Garcia which opened November 2019. The women photos and stories of 114 women. Simms and a community committee including selected for this honor are: Angela Giron, The Pueblo City-County Libraries, in Carmen Arteaga, Maria Vega Clark,Victoria Bernie Esquibel-Tennant, Charlene Garcia conjunction with History Colorado and El Garduno, and Theresa Trujillo. Simms, Deborah Espinosa, Carmen Arteaga, Movimiento Community Advisory Committee, The first film was a short documentary “La Phyllis Robinson, Delfina Garcia, Denise celebrates and honors La Chicana, past, Chicana” followed by a panel of Chicanas. The Torrez, Dianne Archuleta, Rita J. Martinez, Alfie present and future. An Year of La Chicana second film was “Dolores,” about Dolores Salazar, Elizabeth Aragon Blanton, Josette Exhibit of ten women, developed by Charlene Huerta, a labor organizer and negotiator with Jaramillo, Judy Baca, Lola Gutierrez, Melanie Garcia Simms, was erected before the Library the United Farm Workers, A feature animation, Bravo, Ruth Coca, Sandra Ruiz, Taciana closed and was to be in each of the libraries in “Dora the Explorer and the Lost City of Gold,” Torrez, Tamara Trujillo, Velia Venegas Rincon, was introduced by Angela Giron. “La Misma the city and county. Velma Roybal, Xochitl Chavez, Yesenia The ten women shown in the Library exhibit Luna/Under the Same Moon,” an immigration story, was introduced by Yesenia Beascochea. Beascochea, Maria Vega-Clark, Neva Martinez are Dolores Huerta, Shirley Romero Otero, Ortega, Fawn Amber Montoya, the Dancer of Deborah Espinosa, Angela Giron, Deborah According to Maria Smyer, Hispanic Resource Grupo Xochitl, and Theresa Trujillo. The Martinez Martinez, Judy Baca, Carmen Center coordinator, Chicana films available for Arteaga, Denise Torrez, Carla Barela and Rita check-out at Rawlings Library include: “Selena,” tapestry will still be on display when the J. Martinez. “East Side Sushi,” “Blaze You Out (R),” “Bless Museum reopens. La Cucaracha, May 2020 14 Powerful Women Paper Dolls And Their Stories

In the 1970s when Chicanas (Mexican In the cities, enough Priscilla Falcón, Greeley, Juanita American women) were students in college and of discrimination in Dominguez, San Luis/Littleton, high school, civil rights was the topic.To women employment, no Diana Velasquez, Denver, Rita in the community, social justice was the concern. representation in Martinez Melgares, Alamosa/ Author Deborah Martinez Martinez devised a fun media, and Omaha, Jennie Sanchez, Center. way of saluting these women and telling their throughout the state, From Pueblo, those honored are: stories—by making them dolls! few women in the Deborah Espinosa, Velma Roybal, Twenty women are featured as paper dolls and state house or Diana Ortiz, Delfina Garcia, Mothers their stories told in this new book. The author senate! of Casa Verde, Rita J. Martinez, uses the paper doll book form to briefly tell each They were women Angela Giron, Carmen Arteaga, Ann powerful Chicana’s story. Instead of fashionable who fought for their Dominguez, Judy Baca, Carla clothes, each doll can use “Tools of Activist place in the American Barela. Women” such as a typewriter, bolt cutters, system and, thereby, Another 80 women are microphone, guitar and hard hat. There is even a laid the pathway for acknowledged in “More Women of others. podium for the use of the 7” dolls. Heart and Action.” The publisher, Vanishing Horizons, designed According to “It’s more than time for Chicana the unusual book as a portfolio with each page Martinez Martinez, women to be recognized for their stacked inside the cover. “This book is a way to role in making our communities The Chicanas featured utilized their voice, their honor these women, better, and for keeping the struggle story, their willingness to share their suffering. their families and their for equity and social justice alive,” They used their determination to speak the communities. It’s a way to say ‘we are proud of said Martinez Martinez. truth and say, “¡Ya Basta! Enough!” From the you and we thank you!’” Arkansas Valley to Center, from Pueblo to The women recognized are Neva Romero, Contact: Deborah Martinez Martinez 719-561-0993 Brighton, enough of second-class schools! On Ignacio/Boulder, Guadalupe Briseño, Brighton, Vanishing [email protected] the farms, enough of $4 per day and no toilets! Shirley Romero, San Luis, Ruth Coca, Aguilar,

Cinco de Mayo Youth Leadership Conference

CARTASDear Scholars, Martinez, and Eddie Montour. We learned to A 2018 study by the Center on Education and Youth leadership conferences have a long navigate systems that are not built for us while Workforce at Georgetown University, reported history in the Chicano Movement promoting never forgetting who we are and our connection to Colorado continues to be the second-most education, leadership development, and cultural this land. educated state in the nation with the widest identity. Students were taught to self-advocate, organize, college-attainment gap between White and Latino The conference committee of the 50th Annual and create change. Everywhere we were made to students. This “Rocky Mountain Divide” reminds Cinco de Mayo in Pueblo was looking forward to feel that we did not belong, we unapologetically Chicanxs that our work is far from done. this year’s commemoration. We had hoped the carved out our own space. Student organizations Know that you have a community behind you significance of overcoming adversity in the Battle like UMAS (United Mexican American Students) ready to take the next watch in your educational of Puebla, Mexico would inspire our next and MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de journey. Our elders will provide the wisdom and generation of warriors. Due to COVID-19 we had Aztlan) across campuses never forgot to reach relentless encouragement to give you strength in to postpone and look forward to recruiting back into their communities to serve, educate, and the moments that feel too heavy to carry. students to a conference in the fall. live under our own power. They will help you to unlearn the implicit and As children of the Chicano movement, we Chicanxs have a history of race, class, and explicit messages written in your story and help recognize our access to higher education is gender constraints in educational institutions you write your own narrative. afforded to us by the generations before us who creating the marginality of our scholars. Student You are the greatest asset to our community and sacrificed, fought, prayed, and died for our taste of walkouts in 1968, led to the first National Chicano the hope we have in overcoming adversity in liberation. As students, we were reminded of our Youth Liberation Conference in March of 1969, commemoration of Cinco de Mayo. Take it from inherent assets found in the intersectionality of our hosted by the Crusade for Justice. this sCHOLAr, you were born to stand out. We identity, the collective knowledge of social Since then, youth leadership conferences have look forward to learning with and alongside you activism, and of our own self-determination convened students to unlearn oppression of his- soon. Until then, stay critical or lose growing up in youth leadership conferences. We story and reteach the brilliance and beauty of our- consciousness. were raised not to fit in but to challenge the status story. As a result, Chicanx Studies programs are In Solidarity, quo with our presence. the work of students and teachers who fought for Dr. Velia Rincon/Committee Member I remember being dragged to conferences representation in curriculum for you. throughout my childhood by Shirley Otero, Rita La Cucaracha, May 2020 15

Two named to the Colorado Chicano LEFT: Juan Freddie “Freak” Movement Archives Trujillo

Hall of Fame RIGHT: Jose Juan Freddie “Freak” Trujillo and the late Esteban Ortega Jose Esteban Ortega are the first to be named to the Hall of Fame of the Colorado Chicano First recipients of Movement Archives at Colorado State the Colorado University-Pueblo. Chicano Before COVID-19 cancelled plans, the Movement awards were to be presented during the week Archives Hall of of Cinco de Mayo. The plaques will be Fame. presented to Trujillo and representatives of Ortega’s familia at a later date. Trujillo and Ortega are considered co- historical documents from numerous Trujillo also contributed hours of audio founders of the archive and were the first to organizations including La Gente, recordings and an assortment of 8mm movie donate their personal collections of their Producciones Estrella Roja, Pueblo reels. involvement in the Chicano Movement. Neighborhood Health Centers and the Cinco Individuals interested in donating their The award was initiated this year by archive de Mayo Organizing Committee. personal collections should contact the coordinator Beverly Allen and approved by the Trujillo contributed hundreds of photographs archives at 719-549-2475. community advisory committee. and slides he collected at the University of Ortega’s contributions included copies of La Colorado in Boulder. Many of the photos were Cucaracha and El Diario de la Gente taken by Brian Sanchez and collected by the newspapers, posters, photographs and late Felipe Roybal.

Case Study Center, Colorado’s fight for bilingual education

By Shelley Wittevrongel Adeline to teach “conversational” Spanish for 15 insisting on bilingual teachers. Adeline Sanchez, stepped before the Colorado minutes.” Finally, on September 7, 1978, the federal State Senators and Representatives of the The school system had to radically change. In Office for Civil Rights delivered an eighteen-page Bilingual Bicultural Steering Committee, and said 1974, the Supreme Court affirmed that the Civil letter of findings, which threatened imminent “DO NOT give money to fund Center School Rights Act required school districts to address the withdrawal of federal funds. The OCR letter District’s bilingual plan; it violates the law.” language needs of for minority children. The specified in meticulous detail the Center School It was 1975, when she demanded that the Federal Department of Education applied the District’s failure to educate linguistically different Senators turn down state money for bilingual mandate. That same year, Colorado, groups like (Chicano) children. education, until the Center plan included the Chicano Education Project organized to But resistance resurged. In 1986, Center instruction in reading, writing and speaking, using assist in drafting the Colorado Bilingual Bicultural Chicano parents again went to court represented both Spanish and English, and hire bilingual Education Act of 1975. The legislature passed by attorneys through the Colorado Lawyers teachers. She was the parent-elected chair of and funded the bill putting $2.55 million into Committee. They won a federal court-consent Center’s Bilingual Bicultural Community Colorado school districts for bilingual education. decree establishing baseline rights for Committee. For three years, the Center School Board and linguistically different children in Center. Adeline spoke on behalf of the estimated 185, administration defiantly refused to implement As we all know, the struggle must be made not K-3 bilingual children in Center schools who bilingual bicultural education. Center’s Chicano just with every generation, but also with every constituted 82% of all K-3 children. The schools parents determinedly used every access point the new school administration. Pero, poco a poco plan preserved English as the sole language, bilingual law provided — electing strong parents andamos mas lejos! except for 23 monolingual Chicano children. She to their Bicultural Bilingual Community ______weathered tough questions by steering Committee, training themselves, visiting active committee members. She held her ground, bilingual programs, using expert help to design Shelley Wittevrongel, formerly Sr. Michelle, who speaking to what she knew – the needs of her programs, reporting school violations to state lived and worked in Center from 1970-1986. She kindergarten-aged daughter and Center’s other 5 officials, and seeking help from the State Steering is now a retired immigration attorney to 8 year-olds. Committee. Those three years were ones of Ya basta! It was time to demand that Center extreme struggles, but they marked a significant This story is told in more detail and with reference to schools educate their Chicano children — no beginning. primary documents in Chapter 10 of Center, more taking federal/state money and pretending From December 1975 to 1978, the Center Colorado! Su Voto Cuenta! by Shelley to serve these children. Stella Sanchez, a School Board countered bilingual programs Wittevrongel and Jennie Sanchez. Available at community leader, and Adeline Sanchez, her developed by the BBCC. In 1976, the Attorney cost from Cambio, Inc. Center, Colorado or sister-in-law, had firsthand knowledge. Hired as General, found 15 violations including, that the teacher aides, they were eyewitnesses to Center district kept $11,205 of ‘75-‘76 state monies for https://www.amazon.com/Center-Colorado-Su- school’s misuse of a federal Title VII Grant. the general fund. Voto-Cuenta/dp/0997680938/ref=sr_1_2? They blew the whistle. “Center schools have no Undaunted, the Chicano community organized ie=UTF8&qid=1503096783&sr=8-2&keywords=w bilingual education.” Anglo teachers still punish against anti-bilingual administrators, teachers and ittevrongel children for speaking Spanish! The first-grade parents by holding instructive community teachers only occasionally “allowed” Stella and meetings, creating bilingual programs and La Cucaracha, May 2020 16

Opinion

Trump’s presidency promotes growth of hate groups

BY DAVID MARTINEZ documented groups across the country. Most stranglehold on his party has strengthened the Few people, except his extreme-right-wing notably, some are advocating violence and activities of the white supremacists, and other supporters, ever thought would be encouraging their foot soldiers to prepare for dangerous reactionary groups, many of whom an honorable chief executive, especially when it (and precipitate) race war or mass civil conflict, are incompetents, sociopaths and those with no comes to human rights, equality, discrimination the report stated. This research found a surging interest in mainstream politics or the greater and racism. The recent annual report of the “white is right” movement linked to a series of good. The weakening of national party politics Southern Poverty Law Center titled: “The Year in racist and anti-Semitic terror attacks, and an has strengthened these smaller radical right Hate and Extremism 2019,” presents thoroughly- increase in hate crimes. “Hundreds of hate groups, whose members are united by loyalty to researched information that confirms horrible groups are operating in America, targeting their niche organization, and motivated by increases in hate groups advocating violence immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ people, hostility to their self-imposed enemies. across the country during this despicable Muslims, Jews, Blacks and other people of color,” As a result of the present-day vast presidency. the report stated. emptiness at the core of today’s politics, many SPLC research found that in the last two SPLC found that these white supremacists more innocent lives in this country are in danger years, the number of hate groups across the followers have broken into two major strategist because of an individual’s race, color, gender, country more than doubled to 940 in 2019, camps: “so-called accelerationists who sexual preference, religion and political beliefs. constituting a 55 percent increase. SPLC found wholeheartedly embrace violence as a political The intersection of these various toxic belief that such growth is documented to the last tool and “mainstreamers” (or the “dissident right,” systems is fueling the rise of hate violence and presidential election “when Trump’s campaign as they often call themselves) who are white nationalism in here and abroad. Having energized white nationalists who saw in him an attempting, with a degree of success, to bend the moved from the fringes of society to the avatar of their grievances and their anxiety over mainstream political right toward white nationalist mainstream, these ideologies now frame national the country’s demographic changes. The ideas.” The SPLC research found that “much of narratives and influence electoral outcomes. numbers are a barometer, though an imperfect the movement’s energy lies in the growing It is time to move beyond the illusion that one, of the size and growth of the movement.” accelerationist wing … organized in informal hate, violence and extremism is merely a criminal Hate groups have beliefs or practices that online communities rather than formal groups.” crisis in America. It is also a political crisis. It has attack or malign entire classes of people, Colorado has not been spared. One attempt to be engaged politically. Just as there was a typically for their individual characteristics of such hate violence was thwarted by authorities national movement against racial segregation in because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual here in Pueblo last November when white the 1960s, there now needs to be a national orientation or gender identity – prejudices that supremacist Richard Holzer, who reportedly was movement against hate violence in America. strike at the heart of basic human values and plotting to blow up a historic synagogue and When a society’s per capita quantity of fracture society along its most fragile fault lines. poison congregants as part of a “racial holy war”, conspicuous stupidity is so high and public Attacking or demonizing groups of people on the was arrested when he picked up two pipe bombs manners so low that a critical mass of people are basis of their human characteristics often inspires and 14 sticks of dynamite from undercover jolted into saying, “enough already,” one cannot or is a precursor to violence. But violence itself is agents. At the time he was taken into custody, he be blamed for being scared enough to defend not a requirement to be identified as a hate was wearing a Nazi armband and carrying a copy oneself. It appears that, that time has arrived. group. A group’s ideology can inspire hate of Mein Kompf. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– violence even when the group itself does not On the political right in this country, it’s very David Martinez is a Denver attorney who was engage in violent activity. apparent that a politics of passions unrelated to one of the. founding staff members of La Cucaracha. There was an increase in sectors of the policy has flooded into the vacuum of white supremacist movement in 2019, to 155 convictions, thus driving behavior. Trump’s La Cucaracha, May 2020 17

Opinion A Chicano/Hispanic coalition can dump Trump

By Guillermo DeHerrera democracy in this most troubling and political process and voting win Number five: Let You hear it said often in these difficult time? elections. and his followers negotiate the troubling and difficult days, we are This November we will have Number four: Here are my Democratic Party platform. Bernie in “unprecedented,” “historical,” national elections, Trump running recommendations! Vote Cory Sanders won the ideal logic and “transformative” globally for re-election, one of our two US Gardner out of office. This is very campaign; he had the issues that will changing times, “the greatest crisis Senators, Cory Gardner, also running important so as to change the help the people, such as healthcare of our times,” (LA Times Opinion, for re-election, and all of our Republican controlled Senate. as a human right, free college tuition 12 April 2020, Nicholas Goldberg congressional Removing just one or and eliminating college debt for the Column). But what does this really delegation is up two republican young people, etc. mean to us living our daily lives for re-election. senators will change The coalition to change this trying to survive on less and less In our two- the Senate and country is obvious. Young people, money, resources and time? Will party system, removing Cory the millennials, minorities, voting and democracy make a Democrats and Gardner, Trump’s boot especially Hispanics, working difference in my life and my families Republicans, licking lackey, will be people, Unions, democrats and lives? Who cares if I vote? If I vote we actually doing our part to republicans wanting real change, and will anything change for me, my don’t have begin the change in everyone affected by this disastrous family, or my community? many choices; Washington. Trump presidency. If we all vote, we I hope in these short paragraphs to it is either Of course, vote can change government for the offer some hope and encouragement Trump or at the Trump out of office! If betterment of people. In this for why we should take our right to moment Joe our people vote, we politically divided country it will vote very seriously, particularly Biden for can do it. Now, I’m take all of us voting to make the during this Coronavirus Pandemic. president, since not the most ardent changes we need. What the COVID-19 epidemic has Bernie Sanders quit campaigning. believer in another old white man Guillermo DeHerrera is a former shown us clearly and is now in full For us here in Colorado, being president, but it is better than state representative and Adams display across this country, in fact particularly the Hispanic/Chicano the alternative of another disastrous County commissioner. He currently the entire world, is the political and people of Colorado, we have a four more years of lying Trump and is a rancher in the San Luis Valley. social divide, the economic and unique opportunity due to our his dirty money Jared Kushner, the He was on the original staff of La health care disparity between people increasing population to affect the idiot son-in-law, and his scheming Cucaracha. of color, the poor, the displaced and outcome of the Colorado elections. family. homeless among us and the wealthy Even though Trump and the 1 percent and the billionaire class. Republicans will make every attempt In fact the economic disparity is to stop the people from voting, such Support the 50th Anniversary of CINCO growing as the greedy billionaire as limiting early voting and absentee class takes advantage of the voting by mail. This is democracy! If DE MAYO celebration in Pueblo pandemic to make even more money people vote we win. increasing the wealth gap. Now don’t get me wrong, the RAFFLE DONATION $3.00 per ticket The stock market, where mostly liberal elite of the Democratic Party the wealthy and corporate elite are not always on the side of participate, seems unaware or working people, but we can pressure oblivious to the pain and suffering of the politicians and they will listen to the working people and poor, not the needs of our community. So what knowing how they will pay rent, buy are we, Hispanics/Chicanos, to do? food and groceries, or to know if Number one: Register for the they will have health care when Census! unemployed. We need all our people to be All the while, the working poor in counted in 2020. The Census is very the service industry, health care important. The entire Spanish/ workers, police, fire and emergency Mexican/Hispanic/Chicano service providers are risking their community needs to register for the lives without sufficient quantities of 2020 Census. This is the foundation Emanuel Martinez is a past the necessary PPE (Personal for making very important decisions Pedro Romero: Blind Embossed Mayan glyphs recipient of the Governor's Protective Equipment), ventilators on many social and economic Award for Excellence in the and other medical equipment. Yet, matters, including drawing framed in wood with two mats including a gold deckle edging Arts in Colorado. Latino Art President Trump lies to us daily that boundaries for elections. and Culture Bilingual Study the pandemic is “under control,” and Number two: Register to vote! and a rich brown linen mat behind glass. The dimensions Guide (Washington, D.C.: Nat’l anyone needing or wanting to be Start the political process now by Museum of American Art, tested will be tested. making sure you are registered to are W 13” X H 23.” Original art. Pedro was a contributor to La Smithsonian Institution, 1996.) We all know that bad stuff is vote, as are all your family, friends, Print: W 23” X H 30.” happening and the Federal and community members. It is never Cucaracha. Government, which has not always too late to start the Get Out the Vote been on our side or helped minority campaign and better to start early. See the art at: El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. communities, will not or cannot in Number three: Get involved in TO Buy tickets NOW: Call 719-561-0993 or 719-544-4040 time solve the immediate health and the political campaigns! or at Golden M, 103 B St., Pueblo, economic crisis. So, what are we to People are the key to winning do knowing elections are just months elections, not so much the money, Under Rafe License #2020-15338. Winner need not be present away? Who cares about voting and but people participating in the