The Chicano Moratorium took place 50 years ago, on August 29, 1970. The Left Coast is pleased to feature an eyewitness article about the march by my long-time friend and Los Angeles City Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo. The Moratorium had been called by a variety of Latinx organizations as a protest against the war, but it was also a new beginning against racism and oppression against Chicanos, Latinos, and people in color.
This brings back old memories. Yes 1970, I was the Pace and Freedom Party nominee for California State Controller On August 29, 1970 I was tabling at Laguna Park in East Los Angeles when tear gas started filling the park. People were running in all directions and screaming. I started packing up my stuff when I looked up to see a policeman with his baton raised moving towards me. However, someone ran by us and the officer turned and chased the other person. I don't know if it was my slow, calm movement or the fact that I was white that saved me that day, it still stands out in my mind. Today, things have not changed. The police still attack people of color as if they were in a war and people of color are the enemy. Yes, Black Lives Matter. Retraining, psychological evaluation, and weeding out of racist and/or dangerous officers need to happen now.
This brings back old memories. Yes 1970, I was the Pace and Freedom Party nominee for California State Controller On August 29, 1970 I was tabling at Laguna Park in East Los Angeles when tear gas started filling the park. People were running in all directions and screaming. I started packing up my stuff when I looked up to see a policeman with his baton raised moving towards me. However, someone ran by us and the officer turned and chased the other person. I don't know if it was my slow, calm movement or the fact that I was white that saved me that day, it still stands out in my mind. Today, things have not changed. The police still attack people of color as if they were in a war and people of color are the enemy. Yes, Black Lives Matter. Retraining, psychological evaluation, and weeding out of racist and/or dangerous officers need to happen now.
In solidarity.
C. T. Weber
Peace and Freedom Party of California
Legislative Committee Chair