CHICANO MORATORIUM
"¡Raza Sí, Guerra No!"
THE HISTORY
The National Chicano Moratorium was a massive anti-Vietnam War demonstration that took place on August 29, 1970, in East Los Angeles. It was the largest anti-war protest by Mexican Americans in U.S. history, with an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people marching through the streets of East L.A.
The march was organized to protest the disproportionate number of Chicano casualties in Vietnam. At the time, Mexican Americans made up roughly 6% of the U.S. population but accounted for nearly 20% of the casualties from the Southwest.
The Chicano Moratorium Committee was created and formed by Dr. David J. Sanchez, PhD, founder of the Brown Berets. The Brown Berets, along with Rosalio Muñoz and the Committee, were among the primary organizers of the event.
THE DEATH OF RUBÉN SALAZAR
The peaceful march turned violent when Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies moved in to disperse the crowd. During the chaos, Rubén Salazar — a prominent Mexican-American journalist for the Los Angeles Times and KMEX-TV — was killed when a deputy fired a tear gas projectile into the Silver Dollar Café, striking him in the head.
This was Law Enforcement, in its long history of police brutality against the Chicano Barrios. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputy assassinated Salazar when the deputy fired a tear gas projectile into the Silver Dollar Saloon, striking Salazar in the head.
Salazar's death became a symbol of the oppression and violence faced by the Chicano community. He had been one of the most important journalists covering the Chicano Movement and had recently reported on police brutality against Mexican Americans.
Three people were killed that day, and hundreds were arrested. The violence galvanized the Chicano Movement and led to increased activism and organizing across the country.
LASTING LEGACY
ANNUAL COMMEMORATIONS
Every year, the Chicano community gathers in East Los Angeles to commemorate the Chicano Moratorium. These events serve as both remembrance and a call to continued action for justice and equality. The August 29th anniversary remains one of the most significant dates in Chicano history.
IMPACT ON THE MOVEMENT
The Chicano Moratorium proved that the Mexican-American community would not remain silent. It led to increased political representation, the establishment of Chicano Studies programs at universities, and a stronger voice in the anti-war and civil rights movements.
CHICANO MORATORIUM TV & MEDIA NETWORK
ChicanoMoratorium.TV and ChicanoMoratorium.com are platforms founded and built by John D. Abravanel Berdugo, Founder of the Chicano Power Organisation — providing the community with a standardised, centralised hub to upload events, unite across chapters, and access a single authoritative source for Chicano Moratorium events, recognition, history, and education.
Through these platforms, community members can share their stories, post upcoming commemorations, and connect with the broader movement — all while accessing Brown Berets TV and the Bro Brain Network, a growing ecosystem of Chicano media, culture, and activism.
Available on Roku • Apple TV • Amazon Fire TV • Google TV • iPhone • Android
WHAT YOU'LL FIND ON THE PLATFORMS
- ▸ Upload & share community Moratorium events
- ▸ Centralised event calendar & chapter directory
- ▸ August 29 annual commemoration coverage
- ▸ Recognition of Chicano leaders & activists
- ▸ Historical archives, documentaries & education
- ▸ Brown Berets TV & Bro Brain Network access
