By 1968, numerous student organizations had been formed throughout the Southwest. The
United Mexican American Students (UMAS) was the largest, and it played a significant role in organizing high school student protests against racism in the largely segregated schools of East
Los Angeles. These protests, which came to be known as “Walkouts” or “Blowouts,” took place in the first week of March. Picket signs protested racist school policies and teachers and called for freedom of speech, the hiring of Mexican
American teachers and administrators, and classes on Mexican American history and culture. Signs catching the attention of mass media, police, and the FBI included “Chicano
Power,” “Viva La Raza,” and “Viva La Revolución!”
These student walkouts
United Mexican American Students (UMAS) was the largest, and it played a significant role in organizing high school student protests against racism in the largely segregated schools of East
Los Angeles. These protests, which came to be known as “Walkouts” or “Blowouts,” took place in the first week of March. Picket signs protested racist school policies and teachers and called for freedom of speech, the hiring of Mexican
American teachers and administrators, and classes on Mexican American history and culture. Signs catching the attention of mass media, police, and the FBI included “Chicano
Power,” “Viva La Raza,” and “Viva La Revolución!”
These student walkouts