Watsonville Brown Berets

The Emergence of the Watsonville Brown Berets A group of students from Watsonville inspired by the legacy of activism decided to resurrect the Brown Berets April 6, 1994. This was due to similar conditions that existed in 1967 and the gang related murders of two young people, Jessica Cortez (age 9) and her brother George (age 16). “We were a group of young people who were tired of injustices in our community and the lack of political representation. We decided to educate and take power for ourselves,” said Luis Alejo one of the group’s founding members.

In order to address the increasing gang violence, the Watsonville Brown Berets organized an annual march that passed through all the different barrios in order to bring the message of Peace and Unity. They believed that through cultura and activism young people involved in gangs could redirect that energy into more constructive avenues. In addition, the group established a meeting location in which young people could learn to organize and learn about their history (the version that is usually excluded from textbooks). It is in this small “classroom” that strategies and ideas are exchanged to effectively create local change.

A few of their (numerous) actions and battles include the Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta school naming campaign, address police harassment, affordable housing, counter-military recruitment, college-bound mentoring and academic support, and local political elections. The group has established firm relations with other progressive 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 activated Liberation School, which provides tutoring, and career guidance as well as an extensive revolutionary library.

Watsonville city counsel member and activist 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. There were musical performances by La Plebe, Here Kitty Kitty, Universal Language and Watsonville’s own punk rock band Los Dryheavers. “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.

Today, the Brown Berets continue to provide a voice to the voiceless in Watsonville and continue to address a wide range of issues of social, political and economic inequality. They also continue to organize and train young people to be the leaders of today in their community and work to create positive social change.

Mexikah Tiahui