Hunger Strike for Chicano Studies Department Collection, 1993-1994

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Summary

Creators:
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) 1993
Abstract:
This collection consists of flyers, memos, notes, form letters, faxes and photographs that document the events that occurred during the spring of 1993 when several students and one professor began a hunger strike to protest the decision of Chancellor Charles E. Young to close the Chicano Studies Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Extent:
1.2 linear ft. (3 boxes)
Language:
English and Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Hunger Strike for Chicano Studies Department Collection, 1, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes flyers, memos, notes, form letters, faxes, photographs and documents of the events that occurred during the spring of 1993, when several students and one professor went on a hunger strike to protest the decision of Chancellor Charles E. Young to close the Chicano Studies Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Biographical / historical:

In 1993, after several attempts by faculty and students at the University of California, Los Angeles to change the standing of the Chicano Studies Program from an interdisciplinary program to a department, Chancellor Charles E. Young announced that the Program would not receive departmental status. The date was April 28th, 1993, the eve of Cesar Chavez's funeral. This decision ignited the passion and activism of many students and set in motion a sit-in demonstration by the Conscious Students of Color group over the welfare of the Chicano Studies Library, budget cuts, and the Chicana/o Studies Program and other Ethnic Programs at UCLA. Around 200 hundred students walked across the Westwood campus to the Faculty Center to protest the Chancellor's decision. The protest turned violent after Los Angeles Police Department and University of California Police Department officers appeared in riot gear at the Faculty Center. As a result, 99 students were arrested and UCLA pressed charges against the students for vandalizing the premises.

These actions set off rallies and demonstrations on the part of a variety of student groups such as MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan), Latin American Student Alliance (LASA), and Students for Revolutionary Action, as well as community groups such as the United Community Labor Alliance, bringing together thousands of people to demand changes at UCLA.

The most dramatic demonstration, and the focus of this archival collection, was the 1993 hunger strike. Several students and one UCLA professor decided to protest what they considered an injustice on the part of the UCLA administration, represented by Chancellor Charles E. Young, through a fast to emphasize their demands. The hunger strikers were: Juan Arturo Diaz Lopez, Marcos Aguilar, Balvina Collazo, Maria M. Lara, Arturo Paztel Mireles Resendi, Cindi Montanez, Joaquin Manual Ochoa and Professor Jorge R. Mancillas.

The hunger strike attracted the support and attention of many recognized members of the community including State Senators Tom Hayden and Art Torres, State Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard and Xavier Becerra, City Assemblywoman Hilda L. Solis, Mothers of East L.A. and many others. This event galvanized the community at large and resulted in one of the largest student and community mobilizations in the history of UCLA.

At the end of the hunger strike a compromise was achieved between the hunger strikers and the UCLA administration. As a result, the Cesar Chavez Center for Interdisciplinary Instruction in Chicana and Chicano Studies was created.

Acquisition information:
Donated to the Chicano Studies Research Center by Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) in 2002.
Arrangement:

The files are in the order determined by the previous archivists.

Physical location:
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library and Archive for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research.

Terms of access:

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of materials, including but not limited to infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Hunger Strike for Chicano Studies Department Collection, 1, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Los Angeles, Chicano Studies Research Center Library, 193 Haines Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1544, US
Contact:
(310) 206-6052
librarian@chicano.ucla.edu
Website