Latino Movement : A fight for Equality Chidimma Onyenso, Dan Kaplan, Adam Dorfman, and Wilson Martinez

“We deserve Rights to!”... “Huelga !” The African Americans had spent years fighting for their rights and just as they felt the need to be proclaimed as equal so did latinos. The Civil Rights Movement helped to emphasize the idea of equality for all As Latino population increased, so did the desire to speak out. The population got stronger and so did the stance. Chicanos in California took a major lead. Gonzalo Mendez Case –Mendez was an asparagaus farmer living in California who filed a suit to allow his children to attend an all white school. –This case gave the latino community hope and encouraged them to continue to fight for equality Start the Push ! –Organizations were formed to start the push for equality: The Community Sevice Organization Asociacion Nacional Mexico-Americana League of United Latin America American G.I Forum –Texas Funeral home refused to bury a Mexican American from WWII Young Citizens for Community Action Cesar Chavez –Organized United Farm Workers for migrant mexican workers

“ We know what we want!” The Latino movement fought for equal rights –In attempt of this many latinos tried to be classified as caucasions – Many latinos beleived their situation to be hopeless More politically active –La Raza Unida political party Workers –Wanted better representation Better wages Better working conditions Recognition of Unions Education Reform in relation to dropout rate Land Grant issues resolved –El Tigre ( preacher) established La Alianza Federal de Mercedes which marched and occupied national forests and was arrested Anti War –Drafted from mostly poor areas in which many latinos resided

HOW ?! Nonviolence protesting were demonstrated all over the U.S by latinos Los Angelos 1968 –10,000 hispanics walked out of five los angelos highschools – walkouts in colorado, texas and other parts of California folllowed this demonstration U.F.W –Went on strike after the vineyards violated the deal –Launched a nationwide boycott on their consumer goods Staged anti- war protests Brown Brunettes –Militant group formed much like the Black Panthers –Organized anti-war protests Corky Gonzales helped conduct poverty programs and was arrested

Achieved or Failed? Achievments came slowly but some changes in the latino community were made – Integration of some white schools allowing latinos –Became more politically active gviving the latino community a voice Kennedy gained support from Latino community Henry B. Gonzalez was elected to congress Joseph Montoya became part of the senate Elizo de la Garza gained a position in the house After struggles for workers rights they won passage in California that required growers to bargain with elected representatives of the workers; never before had workers been covered by the National Labor Relations Board. United Farm Workers won election after gainig support of Edmund G. Brown, Sr. Numerous boycotts were succesful such as the one on Lettuce Mexican american study programs were designed Ruben Salazar was killed in attempt to exposing police scandals but brought forth more charges of police brutality Failures –Many latinos faced alot of police brutality despite some changes –Digorgio Corporation rigged Union election results

That was then this is now... During the late 1950’s to the 1970’s protests for latino equality continued and gained some attention. Though much has changed Latinos continue to fight for equal rights in relation to immigration and fair advantages in education as well as in job availibilty.