“We became Chicanos when the U.S. forced Mexico to draw the line along the Southwest,” said Sol Marquez of the FRSO. “So be proud of who you are! You are Chicano! And we must lead ourselves to fight for full equality; no one will do it for us, but ourselves.”
The unified chants of, “Chicano power! Immigrant power! Student power!” and “Que viva la Raza! Que viva Aztlán! Que viva Mexico!” was heard through the streets of the Chicano neighborhood of Boyle Heights, May 1. The spirited May Day march proceeded on Chavez Avenue in the heart of Boyle heights where residents came out to cheer and show support. A short rally was held at the corners of Chicago and First Street at the LAPD Hollenbeck police station to denounce the killings of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez, Jesse Romero and other youth.
Chicano revolutionary Carlos Montes called on the protest participants to continue to fight beyond May 1, by organizing in our neighborhoods, schools and work places to defend against ICE raids and police brutality, while building the movement for equality and self-determination.
Libeth Galaviz of Centro CSO spoke about a recent immigration case of Teresa de Jesus Vidal Jaime in Boyle Heights, “When our community is attacked, we stand together and fight back. La lucha sigue y sigue and we will continue to defy and resist until our right to live is as valued as the fruits of our labor.”
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