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Saturday, August 26, 2006

The Chicano Moratorium links Struggles in Palestine and Aztlan
Hundreds march on the streets of East LA

By Jose X
josexlara@yahoo.com

East Los Angeles, Occupied Mexico — La Coordinadora Estudiantil de la Raza marched forcefully and loudly during the 36th Annual Chicano Moratorium. Mexican flags wove high and proud as the CER led the largest contingent of students at the March.

Behind the CER banner flew the mantas of MEChA de Santee and Somos Raza. These
students once again publicly voiced their opposition to the War in Iraq, the Zionist invasion of Lebanon, the militarization of the border, and paramilitary migra raids in the Raza community.

The CER continues its protest against these unjust repressive state actions by continuing their No Somos El Army Campaign!

One of the leaders of the CER, a former JROTC cadet, spoke out against military by saying, “I will not be a soldier for Yankee imperialism!” and “I will not fight the White Man’s war.” He then continued to say “this is for la Raza” as he pumped his fist in the air.

Amongst the crowd, members of Union del Barrio lead the marchers in chants that included, “Raza Si, Migra No,” “Esta es Mi Tierra, Esta Es Mi Lucha” and repeated Chants of, “Que Viva Mexico, Lebanon, Palestine, Cuba y Venezuela.”

Other organizations present at the March included UCLA Raza Graduate Student Association, Danza Cuauhtemoc, Harmony Keepers, the South Central Farmers and MEChA Statewide.

This event held great importance for Raza as it marks the 36th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium that turned into a police riot leaving three people dead. One of which was Ruben Salazar, a Los Angeles times reporter who frequently wrote about Raza issues and was working on a story about police brutality at the time of his death.

Just as the first Chicano Moratorium that made connections between Yankee imperialism in Southeast Asia and Raza Oppression here at home, Raza today is making the connections again; only this time the connections are between Yankee/Zionist imperialism in the Middle East and Raza oppression throughout Latin America.

Protesters made clear their opposition to the US invasion of Iraq. In the spirit of Muhammad Ali, Vicente Jimenez, a member of Somos Raza and CER, stated, “Ain’t no Iraqi, Ain’t no Palestinian, ever call me an illegal.” His statement clearly pointed out who was La Raza’s true enemy and natural ally.

The event was well planned and ended without incident.

Just wanted to say "Thank you" to all those that mobilized and participated in the Chicano Moratorium. Many of us in the community, at all levels and from many angles began our organizing careers in MEChA and would mobilize for the most important of days, August 29. Please keep the tradition alive, for on the 50th, we shall ALL return and rise!!!!!

In Solidarity,

Ernesto Jesus Nevarez
Port of Aztlan