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Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán.
About Us
The Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), or the Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán, was a student organization born out of the 1960s civil rights movement. It was a fusion of several student groups, including the United Mexican American Students (UMAS), the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO), and other similar student associations. The unification of these groups took place at the historic First National Chicano Youth Liberation Conference in Denver, Colorado, in 1969. The name "Aztlán" symbolizes the ancestral homeland of the Aztec people, representing a cultural and political reclamation of the U.S. Southwest.
MEChA Southeast Los Angeles
Our chapter was founded on the principles of Chicanismo—a sense of ethnic pride, cultural reclamation, and political self-determination. Located in the heart of Southeast Los Angeles, our chapter was established to address the specific needs of Chicano youth in communities like Bellflower and Compton. During the height of the Chicano Movement, these areas faced significant challenges, including educational disparities, limited access to higher education, and a lack of cultural representation in schools. Our founders, inspired by the national movement, sought to create a local platform for activism, cultural expression, and community empowerment. The chapter's purpose was, and remains, to foster a sense of identity and provide resources for students to succeed academically and become leaders in their communities. We continue to build on the legacy of the East Los Angeles Walkouts of 1968, advocating for educational equality and social justice within our local schools. Our work in Bellflower and Compton focuses on mentorship, community organizing, and promoting Chicano art and history to empower a new generation of activists.
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