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Brown Berets
The Brown Berets are a pro- Chicano organization that was founded by David Sanchez. The group revolves around farm workers struggles, educational reform, and anti-war activism. The group is against police brutality. By September 1968 the Brown Berets became a national organization having chapters in Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota and many more. -
The United Farm Workers
Was formed by Dolores Huerta and her co-leader Cesar Chavez in 1965. The movement was sparked by mostly Filipino American farmworkers. The movement aimed for a variety of civil rights reforms and was inspired by the civil rights movement. They were fighting for restoration of land grants, workers rights, better education, and voting rights. -
Equal Pay Act
Is a United States labor law that abolishes wage disparity based on sex. It was made law on June 10, 1963. The law was signed by President John F. Kennedy as a part of his New Frontier program. The law establishes wage based on a merit system where you are being paid through your skill, not by sex. -
California Grape Boycott
September 8th, 1965, the Filipino American grape workers walked out on strike against Delano-area table and wine grape growers. The workers were protesting for years of poor pay and conditions. Cesar Chavez joined the strike movement. In the first time in American history, Cesar and the United Farm Workers and the National Farm Workers use boycott in a major labor dispute. Millions stopped eating grapes and by 1970 the boycott was a success. -
The National Organization for Women (N.O.W)
The National Organization for Women is a feminist organization. It was founded by Betty Friedan and Pauli Murray. The organization main focus is on women’s rights, feminism, the equal rights amendment, civil rights, and reproductive rights. During John F. Kennedy’s presidency, he appointed Eleanor Roosevelt as the head of the organization. -
Chicano “Blowouts”
They were series of protest by Chicano students against unequal conditions in the Los Angeles School District. The goal was to receive educational reform. Students were walking out of class and not attending school. In 2016 the high schools in the Los Angeles area had one of the highest dropout rates of 21.8%. -
American Indian Movement (AIM)
(AIM), started in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1968 by Denis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt, Eddie Benton Banai, and George Mitchell. The original purpose was to help Indian natives in urban ghettos who been displaced by government programs. Eventually, goals began to circle back to the idea of Indian people’s demands. Examples included economic independence, and ownership of tribal areas and restoration of lands they had been taken away from. -
Occupation of Alcatraz
Nineteen month-long protests where 89 American Indians occupied Alcatraz Island. Led By Richarch Oakes, LaNada Means. The groups chose the name Indians of All Tribes (IOAT). The goal was to occupy the land because via the Treaty of Fort Laramie it says that “all retired, abandoned or out of using federal land was returned to the Native people who once occupied it -
Stonewall Riots
Started when police raided the gay bar called the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in New York City. The purpose of the raid was that it was still illegal to engage in gay behavior in public so police harassment of gay bars was still often. In six days police had to haul employees and patrons from the bar including violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, neighborhood streets, and nearby parks. Became the icon for gay rights movement in the U.S and the world -
La Raza Unida
La Raza Unida translates to the National United People’s Party founded by Jose Gutierrez and Mario Compean. It is a Mexican American nationalist organization that was prominent throughout Texas and Southern California. The organization has growingly supported the Democratic party. It was most successful at the local level in Texas in city council and school board. -
Phyllis Schlafly Defeat of ERA
Schlafly was an outspoken opponent of the ERA. She argued that the ERA would take away gender specific privileges enjoyed by women. She said that the ERA would make women be apart of the Draft and no more separate restrooms. Her campaigning made the ratification of the ERA fall short, 38 states needed to ratify the proposed amendment but only 35 states did. -
Trail of Broken Treaties
Cross country protest by Indian and First Nations organizations. Designed to bring national attention to Indian issues in America. There were eight organizations involved, some include the American Indian Movement (AIM), National Indian Brotherhood (NIB), the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), the National Indian Youth Council (NIYC), and the National American Indian Council (NAIC). They also developed a Twenty-Point Position Paper to the Federal Government -
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced in 1921. The ERA was written by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman. It was designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American Citizens regardless of sex. The ERA was never ratified to become an amendment. -
Siege at Wounded Knee
Started when 200 Oglala Lakota followers of the (AIM) seized and occupied the town of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. The goal was to occupy the town to protest against Wilson’s administration and against government failures to honor treaties. An event happened when after 30 days of occupation, Kent Frizell cut off all electricity, water, and food supplies to the city during winter. Lawrence “Buddy” Lamont, a local Oglala Lakota, was shot and killed by a government sniper. His death ended the Siege. -
Roe V. Wade
A landmark decision by the U.S Supreme Court on the issue of laws that restrict access to abortions. The court ruled 7-2 that women do have the decision to have an abortion. It is protected under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. This gave women more voice in their reproductive rights. -
Murder of Harvey Milk
Was the first openly gay elected official in the state of California
During his service, he sponsored a bill banning discrimination in public accommodations, housing, and employment on the basis of sexual orientation. Was murdered with Mayor George Moscone by Dan White who was looking to get his job back after a private business enterprise was unsuccessful. Milk in his career became a major icon in the gay San Francisco community -
Indian Gaming Regulatory
The purpose was to provide a basis for the operation of gaming, protecting gaming as a means of gaining money for tribes, helping to grow economic development in tribes, and protecting the companies from negative influences. Helped to improve quality of life on reservations for Indian Tribes peoples. Through research, it shows that these casino operations have decreased obesity, smoking, and heavy drinking. Increased employment rates, school attendance and gaining a degree in poor households. -
Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
The repeal ended the Department of Defence Policy that prevented the LGBT community from joining the armed forces. In 1993, Clinton signed a bill in efforts to stop the ban on homosexuals entering the armed forces that had been in effect since WW2. The bill stated that as long as those in the LGBT community did not state that they were gay, so they could join the armed forces. In 2010, Obama signed the bill that ended the policy with an amendment to the Defence Authorization Bill -
Murder of Matthew Shepard
Was a gay American student from the University of Wyoming
He was beaten, tortured, and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming
He would die six days later in Fort Collins, Colorado from severe head injuries. His murder brought worldwide attention to hate crimes. Years after his murder in October of 2009, Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. His death has inspired many films, novels, plays, songs, and other works -
Obergefell v. Hodges
Was a civil rights case in which the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was legal. Before this case, plaintiffs in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee filed district court cases to lift the ban on gay marriage. Justice Anthony Kennedy headed the majority opinion and stated his opinion that bans on same-sex marriage were against the 14th amendment and equal protection clauses. In a 5-4 ruling, same-sex marriage became legal across all fifty states.
