Latinx Freedom Conference: Power and Protests in the 1960s

A landmark gathering of veterans of the 1960s Latinx civil rights movements, scholars, and cultural leaders convenes at the CUNY Graduate Center for the Latinx Freedom Conference, a two-day public event launching the Latinx Freedom Movement Archive and Exhibition Project. Speakers include Martha P. Cotera and Juan González. Free and open to the public. Register at

Conference Day 1:

9:00–9:20 AM: Welcome and Introductions by Johanna Fernández and Felipe Hinojosa

9:25–10:00 AM: Performance by singer, drummer, songwriter, and poet Kaila Paulino

10:00–11:30 AM: Plenary Session: Voices of the Movement: Leaders who joined the movement

during the Vietnam War era discuss Latin America’s role in the Cold War and the enduring lessons of that

history. Facilitator: Stephen Pitti, Yale University | Panelists: Carlos Montes, Mita Cuaron, Gilbert Colón,

Omar Lopez, Estela Vasquez

1:00–2:00 PM: Keynote Address by Juan González, New York Young Lords and Martha P. Cotera, La

Raza Unida Party in Texas

2:30–4:00 pm: Breakout Sessions

● From Aztlán to Borikén: The Imperial Origins of Latinos in the U.S.

● From Mendez to Walkouts and Community Control

● Labor and the Humanization of Farm Workers

4:00–5:00 PM: Closing Reception
Conference Day 2:

9:00–9:45 AM: Remarks by Johanna Fernández and Felipe Hinojosa with music by Atl Tlachinolli

9:45–11:15 AM: Breakout Sessions

● The Chicano Movement in the Southwest

● The Movement in New York

● Coalition Building in Chicago

12:30–2:00 PM: Panel Discussion on the Farmworkers Movement

2:30–4:00 PM: Breakout Sessions

● From Salsa to Spoken Word: The Art and Soundtrack of the Movement

● The Health Campaigns of the Young Lords

● The Chicano Youth Conference, Denver 1969

4:00–5:00 PM: Closing Reception

6:00–8:30 PM: Town Hall The Shadow of Ice: What it means for Latinos and for America featuring:

● Maria Hinojosa, Pulitzer Prize-winning founder of Futuro Media and anchor of Latino USA

● Juan González, co-founder of Young Lords, co-host of Democracy Now!, author of Harvest of Empire

● William I. Robinson, scholar on global capitalism and Professor of Sociology at UC Santa Barbara

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Latinx Freedom