Pena Cultural de la Raza

WHAT: A Cultural and Educational Event on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848
WHO: The Barrio Defense Committee, a community organization is organizing the “Cultural Peña of la Razaâ€
WHERE: Centro Aztlan Chicomoztoc, 520 So. 2nd Street, San Jose, California (408) 885-9785
WHEN: Sunday, February 6, 2005, from 2 pm to 6 pm


February 2nd, marks the day when in 1848 a Treaty between two nations was signed. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed between Mexico and the United States. This Treaty was to divide the Mexican territory now known as New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, California, Wyoming and Utah. This Treaty set the stage on the treatment of the Mexican people to this day.

The Cultural Peña of la Raza will have invited guests to speak about the history and the conflicts that occurred during the 1800’s as well as the origins of the Mexican people. The invited guests will be Jose Jacques Medina, a labor organizer from the Los Angeles area, Guillermo Suarez an attorney from Los Angeles, Henry Villalobos a descendent of the Aztecas, and many others.

There will also be cultural presentations such as the well known artist and director of la Peña Juchitireta Victor Hugo Sanchez as well as Christian Rodriguez a young San Jose Raza rapper.

There will further be a recognition of a long time member of the San Jose community Aurora Becerra and active community organizer, dearly loved by many for her human rights activism. Aurora Becerra has traveled to many countries that have attempted to change the poverty conditions of the people such as Nicaragua during the Sandinista government. Aurora is now 87 years of age and it is fitting to honor someone like Aurora who has dedicated her life to human rights.

The Centro Aztlan Chicomoztoc a community organizing center for la Raza has been in existence since the year 2000 and inaugurated on February 2nd. We celebrate its 5 year anniversary as well.