Plaza Verde Park to Quinto Sol march honored Eddie Montour
By VICENTE MARTÍNEZ ORTEGA
Over a 100 people gathered for the first annual Joseph “Eddie” Montour March at Plaza Verde Park on the Lower Eastside of Pueblo on Sept. 6, 2025.
Montour passed away on August 15 in a Denver hospital. Hundreds attended his funeral a week prior to the march. His passing leaves many mourning and inspired by his decades of dedication to community work for Chicano issues and the Eastside of Pueblo.
At 9:30 a.m. Groupo Xochitli, of Pueblo, and Groupo Tlaloc, of Denver, started drumming together to open the circle with a ceremonial song and dance. After a number of traditional songs and dances the Aztec dancers and the attendees began the march to El Centro del Quinto Sol. A black 1937 Dodge “Bomber” revved up the engine to lead the procession down Glendale Ave. to East Sixth St. By the time the procession reached Quinto Sol, the crowd had grown to 250 attendees, as people joined along the route. Others waited at the amphitheater for the program to start.
Nathan Montour, nephew of Eddie Montour, welcomed everyone and thanked them for honoring his uncle. Many of the marchers got water from a water booth courtesy of Southwest Motors. Servicios de la Raza had a table and booth to record video testimonials of attendees that wanted to tell their stories about Eddie Montour and their experiences with him in the Chicano movement. El Moviemento Sigue, also a sponsor of the event, had an information booth for community members.
Velia Rincon, serving as emcee, introduced Aaron Romero who sang a Vicénte Fernandez song, ” El Rey” dedicated to Eddie Montour. Felix Gallegos, Beto Romero and Steve Lucero also spoke about Eddie and his involvement with the Brown Berets, La Raza Unida Party and his decades of activism.
Rincon closed the remarks with inspirational quotes from Eddie as she had worked and learned from him on community issues, “To the young people, Eddie would want you to decolonize your minds,” Rincon said.
The Aztec dancers and drummers closed the circle with traditional songs, including the American Indian Movement, victory song.
Nathan Montour said he intends to continue organizing the annual Joseph “Eddie” Montour march in the future. Speakers and attendees, throughout the program, and at the park stated their commitment to the work of Eddie Montour vowing “he will be remembered.”
Photos by Velia Rincon and Juan Espinosa, Video produced by Juan Espinosa
Wow! good coverage. Was a beautiful event! So touching when Eastside residents came out of their houses, holding their fists aloft, and shouting Viva with the marchers! Thanks Vicente for the article!