Chicano History 101: On March 17, 1973, the Denver Police raided Denver’s Crusade For Justice. By JUAN ESPINOSA DENVER — Luis “Junior” Martinez was fatally wounded by a Denver police officer 53 years ago this week, in what has become know as the St. Patrick’s Day raid on the Crusade for Justice. Ernesto Vigil also… Continue reading St. Pat’s Day Raid
Move Mountains
12 YEARS EMPOWERING YOUTH LEADERS Reprinted from the Costilla County Free Press San Luis, CO – In the past year, 14 youth leaders participated in more than 20 different learning and work experiences — earning $15 per hour for their involvement. The year began in April with the annual cleaning of the acequias and quickly… Continue reading Move Mountains
‘Singing Our Way to Freedom’
Paul Espinosa has produced over 30 documentary films aired on PBS. Compiled By LA CUCARACHA STAFF Chicano filmmaker Paul Espinosa, toured Southern Colorado the last week of February showing his award-winning film “Singing Our Way to Freedom” — first released in 2020. The film is about the life and times of the late Ramon “Chunky”… Continue reading ‘Singing Our Way to Freedom’
Navigating higher-ed
Alone…Afraid…Anxious…Nervous…Confused…Lost… By CELESTE MOLINA Those are all the feelings one might experience when navigating the unfamiliar journey of higher education. For first-generation and migrant students, college can feel like stepping into a world designed for someone else, a world of unspoken rules, invisible barriers, and few people who understand your background or your struggles. As… Continue reading Navigating higher-ed
Data centers take, not give
By DEBORAH MARTINEZ MARTINEZ In Southern Colorado, climate pollution is affecting the way people perceive the push to put large data centers in their communities. Data centers can consume as much electricity as 175,000 homes and there is concern for scarce water supplies. Also, the promise of jobs is a false one, according to a… Continue reading Data centers take, not give
AIM Liberation of Wounded Knee — 1973
PINE RIDGE, S.D. — This year marks 53 years since members of AIM (American Indian Movement) occupied Wounded Knee, AND 136 years since the U.S. Army massacred 146 Lakota men, women and children at the site. Feb. 27, 2026, the anniversary of the occupation, will be commemorated with drumming, singing and talks from numerous speakers… Continue reading AIM Liberation of Wounded Knee — 1973
Aaron Gutierrez
Local Attorney and Community Leader Announces Candidacy for Colorado State Senate District 3 BY DEBORAH MARTINEZ MARTINEZ The March Pueblo Caucuses will see Aaron Gutierrez, a local business owner with deep roots in Pueblo, running for a seat in the Colorado State Senate District 3. He is running against others at the County caucus in… Continue reading Aaron Gutierrez
Hatched: The Invasion
SERIES CONTINUED: “Hatched: The Invasion is the fourth and final short story in a new La Cucaracha feature — excerpts from books. To read the earlier installments, scroll down to “Rat Tale,” “Shadows,” and “Hatched.” By Emiliano Medina Trujillo Chuck could see his hands moving, he felt like he was sitting in the back of… Continue reading Hatched: The Invasion
Gaza as bad as ever
After 12 Foreign Deployments Aguilar Says Gaza Conditions Worse Witnessed By JOSEPH ALAN SANCHEZ FREE THE OPPRESSED is the Special Forces motto he has sought to follow during the course of his military career. A highly decorated combat veteran with Bronze Star and Purple Heart awards, Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar in his 25 years of… Continue reading Gaza as bad as ever
When They Come…
Guest Editorial By AARO KARJALA This isn’t new. I’ll grant you that federal agents shooting middle-class white people in the face is a bit novel, but on the whole, this isn’t new. I would argue that this is about as American as it gets. America is no stranger to state or federal agents terrorizing cities.… Continue reading When They Come…