Latino Radical Politics: Church Occupations and the Fight to Save the Barrio

In the 1960s and 1970s, Latino activists in the United States occupied churches as a form of protest against urban renewal and gentrification. These occupations were a powerful symbol of Latino resistance to the displacement of their communities. They also helped to raise awareness of the issues facing Latinos in the United States and to build a movement for social justice.

Apostles of Change: Latino Radical Politics, Church Occupations, and the Fight to Save the Barrio

by Felipe Hinojosa

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16596 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	219 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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The Origins of Church Occupations

The first church occupation in the United States was organized by the Young Lords in Chicago in 1969. The Young Lords were a radical Latino youth organization that was founded in Chicago in 1968. The group was inspired by the Black Panther Party and other radical organizations of the time. The Young Lords believed that the Latino community was facing a crisis of displacement and oppression. They saw church occupations as a way to fight back against these injustices.

The Young Lords' first church occupation lasted for 12 days. During that time, the group held rallies, teach-ins, and other events. They also demanded that the city government meet their demands for better housing, education, and healthcare for Latinos.

The Young Lords' church occupation was a success. It helped to raise awareness of the issues facing Latinos in Chicago and it forced the city government to address the group's demands.

The Spread of Church Occupations

The Young Lords' church occupation inspired similar occupations in other cities across the United States. In 1970, the Brown Berets, a Latino youth organization in Los Angeles, occupied a church in East Los Angeles. The Brown Berets occupied the church for two weeks, demanding that the city government stop the construction of a freeway that would have displaced hundreds of Latino families.

In 1971, the United Farm Workers, a Latino labor union, occupied a church in Delano, California. The UFW occupied the church for three weeks, demanding that the grape growers agree to a contract that would improve the working conditions of farm workers.

Church occupations became a common form of protest for Latino activists in the 1960s and 1970s. These occupations were a powerful symbol of Latino resistance to displacement and oppression. They also helped to raise awareness of the issues facing Latinos in the United States and to build a movement for social justice.

The Impact of Church Occupations

Church occupations had a significant impact on the Latino civil rights movement. These occupations helped to raise awareness of the issues facing Latinos in the United States and to build a movement for social justice. Church occupations also helped to empower Latino activists and to give them a voice in the political process.

Today, church occupations are still used as a form of protest by Latino activists. In recent years, church occupations have been used to protest against police brutality, gentrification, and other forms of injustice. Church occupations remain a powerful symbol of Latino resistance and a reminder of the importance of fighting for social justice.

Latino church occupations were a powerful form of protest that helped to raise awareness of the issues facing Latinos in the United States and to build a movement for social justice. These occupations were a symbol of Latino resistance to displacement and oppression. They also helped to empower Latino activists and to give them a voice in the political process.

Today, church occupations are still used as a form of protest by Latino activists. These occupations are a reminder of the importance of fighting for social justice and of the power of community organizing.

Apostles of Change: Latino Radical Politics, Church Occupations, and the Fight to Save the Barrio

by Felipe Hinojosa

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16596 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	219 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE