Violence In The Chicano Civil Rights Movement

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Much like the African-American civil rights movement, violence is a cornerstone in the Chicano civil rights movement. Violence is also plays a major role in The Revolt of the Cockroach People. Much of the novel does not describe much violence being committed by the protestors. The first real violent pushback made by the Chicanos occurred while Brown was in Acapulco. In 1970, the Chicano Moratorium march began peacefully.
“Thousands of people mill around, sitting on the green grass with children, eating hot dogs, tortillas, soda pop, singing, smoking, smiling, pretty girls, young dudes a little drunk, falling, jumping, horsing around, a picnic, a Saturday afternoon in the park, groups of bearded men, strong men in brown khaki, in brown brogans. …show more content…

Edward Escobar commented, “Before the mass of people had a chance to leave the park, and, indeed, well before most people knew that police had ordered them to disperse, sheriff’s deputies charged the crowd, shooting tear gas and beating fleeing demonstrators with nightsticks” (Escobar 1483). Much like in the case of the 1970 riots, the use of violence is often misconstrued as a valid use for one side and an act of terror on the other. The use of violence by the police to subdue protestors and break up protests faces no opposition by the common tax payer. It’s only when the protestors are pushed past their breaking point and turn violent as well that the violence used is put into …show more content…

The most prominent time being the initial protest on the St. Basil’s Church in which police violence and numerous arrests ensue. St. Basil’s is located on the west side of Los Angeles in Koreatown despite the majority of the Catholic community in the L.A. area residing in East L.A. The St. Basil’s Catholic Church was built on the west side, far away from East L.A. intentionally to separate the lower-class Chicanos from the higher class white population. When the Chicanos march in protest to the church, they are met with resistance by the church and are refused

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