‘They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.’ Quisieron enterrarnos, pero se les olvido que somos semillas. “They buried us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.’” The quote comes from poet Dinos Christianopoulos, who was sidelined by the Greek literary community in the 1970s because he was gay.The Human Rights movement… Continue reading THEY TRIED TO BURY US
Month: December 2024
Prayer Walk sparks counter-protest at D70 schools
Forging Pueblo — a Christian political group — organized the “Jericho Walk” with the blessing, in part, of D70 school board members. By DEVIN FLORES On Saturday, Dec. 7, members of Christian political group Forging Pueblo held a “Jericho Walk” at D70 schools, organized in part by school board members. This walk, which consisted of… Continue reading Prayer Walk sparks counter-protest at D70 schools
Denver’s Chicano Pride Ride draws thousands
Cinco de Mayo event created by a Pueblo Eastsider By ROBERT CORDOVA Denver’s Chicano Pride Ride (CPR) starts at the Sun Harley-Davison in Thorton, CO, but it’s roots extend to Pueblo’s Lower Eastside. Every Cinco De Mayo since 2010, Chicano motorcyclists from all over the country have traveled to the Mile High City for this… Continue reading Denver’s Chicano Pride Ride draws thousands
‘To Live Is To Believe’
Prison inmate’s view of Latina/o License Plate By JUAN CANDELARIA To live is to believe; Within this environment, we (inmates) grow accustomed to believing that every day will be repetitive, up until the day when it changes forever. Colorado State Representative Tim Hernández along with a few interns came to Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility… Continue reading ‘To Live Is To Believe’
Advocates testified before legislative committees
Numerous supporters of the license plate legislation testified before State House and Senate committees in person and via Zoom. Pictured above are (top row) Neva Martinez Ortega, Dr. Victoria Obregon, (middle row) Denise Torrez, Jose Ortega, Shirley Romero Otero, Dr. Jonathan Alcantar, (lower right) Deborah Espinosa. Each advocate testified about their own experiences with the Chicano Movement and the obstacles they had overcome to succeed in their careers. Several spoke about the value of Chicano youth programs and how they have changed our state’s history and influenced their own professional development. Collectively the group talked about how a Chicana/o License Plate could document the role Latinos have played in Colorado history and predicted that more emphasis on youth programs would encourage future generations of leaders.
Move Mountains is more than a name
By SHIRLEY ROMERO OTERO As the Executive Director of the Move Mountains Youth Project Inc., I have been a supporter of the Chicano License Plate Initiative since its inception. Many of us testified before the Colorado State Legislature several times in support of this bill, which passed with bipartisan support. The fact that purchase of… Continue reading Move Mountains is more than a name
Proud to play a small role in the Movement
By St. Sen. JULIE GONZALES Over the past few weeks since Trump won re-election, I have listened to friends and family members speaking in hushed tones about the unsettling feeling of politics happening to us, instead of with us. In these complicated times, our society has become increasingly individualized, leading to greater isolation. How… Continue reading Proud to play a small role in the Movement
Chicana/o License Plate journey began with 2nd grade teacher
How EMS became involved In the 2004-2005 school year, a fateful relationship began. Mrs. Denise Torrez, second grade teacher at Eva R. Baca Elementary School in Pueblo, CO, welcomed a group of rambunctious second graders into her Dogpatch classroom. Among the scholars in that group was a wide-eyed, mischievous, yet intelligent little… Continue reading Chicana/o License Plate journey began with 2nd grade teacher
Plate designed by distinguished group of Colorado artists
The artistic design of the Chicana/o Special License Plate was facilitated in a community-driven process initiated by a group of artists convened at renowned Chicano muralist Leo Tanguma’s house. The group of artists met on February 4th, 2023 for over 8 hours to discuss relevant histories, symbols, and representations relevant to the design of… Continue reading Plate designed by distinguished group of Colorado artists
CHICANA/O LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY
“Help build our people with us” By TIM HERNANDEZ When you’re a State Representative, you are given only five laws you can try to pass in a 120 day legislative session. That’s the rule: five bills, no more. During my term, I ran bills on gun violence prevention, immigrant rights, strengthening unions, cultural rights… Continue reading CHICANA/O LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY