Chicano Moratorium Anti-War Protest

The Chicano Moratorium was the Largest Anti-War Protest by Mexican-Americans On August 29, 1970, Mexican-American activist Ruben Salazar was killed by a police tear gas projectile in East Los Angeles, marking a tragic end to the National Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam War. This event occurred during a protest that drew approximately 30,000 people to the streets. The moratorium was organized by activists such as Rosalio Muñoz and David Sánchez.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think the Chicano Moratorium was just another anti-war protest, but the standard story goes that it was a pivotal moment in the Chicano Movement, highlighting the disproportionate number of Mexican-American casualties in the Vietnam War. The common understanding is that the moratorium was a reaction to the war, but it was also deeply rooted in the social and economic struggles of the Chicano community.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Juan Gómez-Quiñones and Rodolfo Acuña have extensively documented the events leading up to the moratorium, which took place on August 29, 1970. According to Acuña's book "Occupied America," the moratorium was the culmination of years of organizing by Chicano activists, who were determined to bring attention to the high number of Mexican-American soldiers dying in Vietnam. On February 28, 1969, the Chicano Coordinating Committee on Higher Education was formed, and by 1970, the movement had gained momentum, with protests and demonstrations taking place across the country. The fact that nearly 20% of the soldiers killed in Vietnam between 1969 and 1970 were Mexican-American, despite making up only 10% of the population, was a major catalyst for the moratorium. Historian Lorena Oropeza notes in her book "Raza Si, Guerra No" that the moratorium was not just a reaction to the war, but also a call to action for the Chicano community to address issues like poverty, education, and healthcare. As the movement gained momentum, it drew the attention of law enforcement, who responded with increasing aggression, ultimately leading to the tragic events of August 29, 1970. On that day, Salazar, a prominent journalist and activist, was covering the moratorium for the Los Angeles Times, when he was killed by a police tear gas projectile. The events surrounding his death are still disputed, but it is clear that the moratorium marked a turning point in the Chicano Movement, highlighting the need for greater social and economic justice.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of the Chicano Moratorium was actively suppressed by government agencies and law enforcement, who sought to downplay the significance of the event and the brutality of their response. Los Angeles Police Department officials, led by Chief Edward Davis, worked to discredit the protest and its organizers, portraying them as radical extremists. The media, too, played a role in burying the story, with many outlets focusing on the violence and property damage caused by a small group of protesters, rather than the peaceful demands of the majority. One concrete reason this history was not told is that the LAPD destroyed many of the records related to the event, making it difficult for historians and researchers to reconstruct the facts. As a result, the Chicano Moratorium was largely erased from public consciousness, and its importance was only rediscovered by later generations of activists and scholars.

The Ripple Effect

The Chicano Moratorium had significant consequences for the Mexican-American community, leading to increased activism and organizing around issues of social justice and police brutality. The event also spurred the growth of the Chicano movement, with many young people becoming involved in politics and activism for the first time. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the East Los Angeles Blowouts, a series of student walkouts in 1968 that protested inadequate educational resources and discriminatory policies. The blowouts were a direct response to the same issues of inequality and marginalization that drove the Chicano Moratorium, and they marked an important turning point in the struggle for Chicano rights.

The Line That Says It All

Ruben Salazar, a prominent Mexican-American journalist, was killed by a tear gas projectile fired by a sheriff's deputy during the protest, in a tragic incident that would become a symbol of the violent suppression of the Chicano Moratorium.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Chicano movement and the anti-war protests of the 1960s and 1970s.