Brown Berets (Watsonville)
Encyclopedia
The Brown Berets are a youth organization
based in Watsonville, California
modeled after the Brown Berets
of the Civil Rights Movement
. A group of students from Watsonville, inspired by the legacy of the Mexican nationalist-tinged community activism of the original Brown Berets, decided to resurrect the movement on April 6, 1994. They felt that similar conditions existed there in 1994 that had existed in 1967, and wanted to respond to the gang-related murders of 9-year-old Jessica Cortez and her 16-year-old brother, George.
s of Watsonville in order to bring the message of Peace and Unity. In doing this, the Brown Berets believed that young people involved in gangs could redirect that energy into more constructive avenues — cultural awareness and social-political activism leading to grassroots local change.
Since then, the group has established firm relations with other left-wing community organizations such as Students Against War (UCSC), Barrios Unidos, and the Resource Center for Non-Violence of Santa Cruz. In 2004, the Watsonville Brown Berets opened "Liberation School", which provides tutoring and career guidance as well as an extensive revolutionary library.
Watsonville city council member Oscar Rios said, “The Watsonville Brown Berets have been one of the strongest youth organizations in this community and have led by example by providing our young people with constructive alternatives and the tools to make progressive change.”
On May 27, 2005, the Watsonville Brown Berets organized their fourth annual Youth and Power event, which took place at the Vets Hall in Watsonville. Over 400 young people were in attendance. The event featured counter-military recruitment activist Fernando Suarez del Solar
. Over 20 organizations hosted information tables providing literature about college opportunities as well as political, community and environmental activism. “It is events like this that empower our young people and remind them that their voice is a powerful weapon,” said Brown Beret member Jennifer Laskin.
Youth group
Youth group may refer to:* Youth Group, an Australian band* Youth club, a social and activities club for young people* Youth ministry, an age-specific type of religious ministry...
based in Watsonville, California
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
modeled after the Brown Berets
Brown Berets
The Brown Berets is a Chicano nationalist activist group of young Mexican Americans that emerged during the Chicano Movement in the late 1960s and remains active to the present day. The group was seen as part of the Third Movement for Liberation. The Brown Berets focus on community organizing...
of the Civil Rights Movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
. A group of students from Watsonville, inspired by the legacy of the Mexican nationalist-tinged community activism of the original Brown Berets, decided to resurrect the movement on April 6, 1994. They felt that similar conditions existed there in 1994 that had existed in 1967, and wanted to respond to the gang-related murders of 9-year-old Jessica Cortez and her 16-year-old brother, George.
Background
In order to address the increasing gang violence, the Watsonville Brown Berets organized an annual march that passed through all the different barrioBarrio
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood.-Usage:In its formal usage in English, barrios are generally considered cohesive places, sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days...
s of Watsonville in order to bring the message of Peace and Unity. In doing this, the Brown Berets believed that young people involved in gangs could redirect that energy into more constructive avenues — cultural awareness and social-political activism leading to grassroots local change.
Since then, the group has established firm relations with other left-wing community organizations such as Students Against War (UCSC), Barrios Unidos, and the Resource Center for Non-Violence of Santa Cruz. In 2004, the Watsonville Brown Berets opened "Liberation School", which provides tutoring and career guidance as well as an extensive revolutionary library.
Watsonville city council member Oscar Rios said, “The Watsonville Brown Berets have been one of the strongest youth organizations in this community and have led by example by providing our young people with constructive alternatives and the tools to make progressive change.”
On May 27, 2005, the Watsonville Brown Berets organized their fourth annual Youth and Power event, which took place at the Vets Hall in Watsonville. Over 400 young people were in attendance. The event featured counter-military recruitment activist Fernando Suarez del Solar
Fernando Suarez del Solar
Fernando Suarez del Solar is a peace activist based in Escondido, California.On March 27, 2003, Fernando lost his son, Jesus Suarez del Solar, when he stepped on a US cluster bomb while fighting in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Since then, Fernando has been traveling around the country speaking out...
. Over 20 organizations hosted information tables providing literature about college opportunities as well as political, community and environmental activism. “It is events like this that empower our young people and remind them that their voice is a powerful weapon,” said Brown Beret member Jennifer Laskin.