Walkout (2006) - full transcript

Based on a true story, student activist and Mexican-American Paula Crisostomo (Vega), tired of being treated unequally, decides to take action and stage a walkout at five East Los Angeles high schools in 1968, to protest educational conditions and complain of anti-Mexican educational bias along with some 10,000 students. Paula Crisostomo (now Romo) is not Mexican- American--she is Filipina-American. She and her husband, then boyfriend were roommates of mine in college. We are very good friends and I see her often.

Leader of the
striking farm workers, Cesar Chavez,

showed strong signs
of deterioration...

Walk out! Walk out!

Walk out!

Bobby.

Yes.

Gettysburg.

Uh, I don't know.

A whole mess of people
got killed.

Come on, scratch
a little deeper, Bobby.

Who fought there?



Americans.

Americans.
How about your ancestors?

Mexicanos?

Yeah, Yoli, help him out.

Read the part
on the Chicano regiments.

Chicanos?

Old Mexican-Americans.

That was before we moved
to East L.A.

and became vatos locos.

Any luck, Yoli?

Read the part about
Mariano Vallejo

and... and his meeting
with Abraham Lincoln.

That's it.

Paula, help her out.



Read the part of 9,000
Mexican-Americans

who fought in
the American Civil War.

Mr. Castro, it doesn't say
anything about Mexican-Americans.

Oh?
Let me see.

See, that's funny.
We were there.

What side did we fight on?

Both.

Ooh, and we still lost?

Yeah, we still lost.

You know why we lost?

We lost our legacy.

Why?

'Cause we're not
in this book.

See, if people don't
know about it,

then it never happened.

See, you're learning
your history

from people that don't
know your history.

Your blood is in Gettysburg.

What about Vietnam?

Your blood is in Vietnam, too.

'Kay, have a good day.

Fernie, I want
to talk to you.

Hey,

your mother signed
the permission slip.

I look forward
to having you.

I need your
permission slip, too.

Oh, I know.
I'm really working on it.

I can't hold it, Paula.

Oh, what do we do?
What do we do?

What do we do?
What do we do?

Let's try the faculty restroom.

Man:
Excuse me.

What are you doing?

Mr. Hurley,
I really have to go.

There's no students allowed
in the building at lunchtime.

You both know that.

Well, Mr. Hurley,
all the other bathrooms...

I don't make the rules.
Go on.

Get him, Fernie!
Get him, Fernie!

Hey, Yoli, you wanna
see the fight?

Not right now, Bobby.

Hurry up.
Okay, okay.

Break it up!

I said break it up!
Ya basta!

Break it up!
Break it up!

Hey, we're not
done here, puto!

All right, drop it, Fernie.
Drop it, Fernie.

Drop it... okay.
Everybody go back to class.

Come on, stop.

Come on, before Ingles
sees us.

Puto is a pendejo!

Hey!

Look, don't give
that pendejo

any more reasons
to kick you out of school.

No one talks like that
about my mother, man.

You're worried
about your mother?

Graduate.

Okay, everybody,
go back to class.

Hey, Paula.

See you at the meeting
tomorrow.

Be there or be square.

I'll see you there, Ray.

Guess we better
get back inside now.

No, no, no,
I'll catch up with you later.

All right.

Come on.

Please, papi, it's not
a camping trip.

I'm not sending you to the beach
with a bunch of wild boys.

It's Malibu,
I told you.

it's a student leadership
conference, papi.

Papi, you have nothing
to worry about.

They're all geeks
like Paula.

You think anyone
who can spell is a geek.

J-E-K.

G-E-E-K.

That was my point.
See?

Look, it's chance to be around
intelligent kids for a change.

Panfilo, it's an honor
to be chosen.

She brings pride
to the family.

You're a girl.
Dad, I already finished my homework,

I got the weekend
off from the theatre,

and it doesn't
cost anything.

Yeah, papi?
Jeff.

When's your test?

Monday.

You stay home and help
your brother study.

He's not so smart
like you.

I'm not gonna help him.

No one ever helped me
with my homework.

Here.

You have permission.

He signed it?

I signed it.

It only asked
for one signature.

You should be very pleased,
Paula.

President of the ticketeers,
prom committee...

You've made quite
a contribution here.

Not to mention
your test scores.

Now, here are
your financial aid forms.

Have you applied
to any of the colleges?

No, not yet.

- Hey, Paula
- Hey, Paula.

Hey, how'd it go?

Mr. Peck told me,

"You have a big future
ahead of you...

That's good.
Yeah.

...in the art world."

Industrial arts.

Yeah, a nice way
to say car mechanic.

He told me, secretary.

There's no nice way
to say that.

Well, didn't he offer
junior college?

Yeah, to improve
my typing skills.

Anyway, so what'd
he say to you?

Oh, he just gave me some pamphlets
and financial aid stuff.

Out of all of us,

you should definitely
be the one going to college.

Why only me?

Uh, 'cause you're smart.
So are you.

Yeah, not in
the same way.

Bobby Verdugo,
give me a break, Sal.

He also happens to be a smart ass.

We could get him
into UCLA.

He's got a 2.8.

Well he's got the test scores.
Get real, Sal.

We gotta concentrate
our resources

on the talented ones.

You know, you don't have to go
to college to be successful.

No, you don't. But they have to
know what's available to them.

They can be doctors,
and lawyers...

There's other roles for 'em
to play in society, Sal.

Lloyd, I think you better just
stay out of this for a second.

How much money
do you make?

As much as you do.

Which is bupkis.

And Jorge Ramirez who
graduated this high school

owns his own tire shop.
No college education,

he makes 10 times our salary.,

You know what,
and I bet you he's got

10 of our dropouts
sweeping his floors.

Sal, you know I do
whatever I can.

Good, don't give up
on Bobby.

Steer him into college.

Is that what he wants, Sal?
Or is that what you want?

You know something, Hurley?

Whoever gave you a break,
I bet you they regret it right now.

I'm just asking a question.

"I seemed swinging

in a mighty rhythm
through orbit vastness.

Sparkling points of light
spluttered and shot past me."

Fernie?

"They were stars,
I knew,

and flaring comets that peopled
my flight among the suns."

Jesus.

"As I reached the limit
of my swing

and prepared to rush back
on the counter swing,

a great... gong struck
and thundered."

Oh, gracias.

"For an immeasurable... "
Bobby, Jesus,

front and center.

What'd I do?

You spoke Spanish.
You know the rules.

Mr. Verdugo, you're first.

Let's go, assume the position.

Quiet!

Excuse me.

Glad you could join us.

Since you're here,
is there any action

on the entertainment
for the prom?

We're still trying
to find a band.

Personally, I like
The Midnighters.

Can we afford them?

Well, we could still
do some fundraising.

And pull about a $100
from the decorating committee.

I mean, look at what we're
spending on balloons.

Balloons contribute
to the festive atmosphere.

Find a cheaper band.

If there isn't
anything else...

We have to get the schools
to open the restrooms at lunch.

We've already discussed that
and proposed it.

They say we don't respect it.

They're bathrooms, Ray.
Not churches.

Not happening.

Let's focus on things under our control.

Be careful, mija.

Bye, mami.

Do you guys
ever stop kissing?

Ever?
Do we ever?

No.
Never ever.

Never.

See, look how she loves me?
Check this out, Paula.

Ain't that cute?
It's my little, love drawing I made for him.

Hey, fool!

Hey, come on, choto.
Don't do me like this, ese.

Mr. Castro said all I gotta do
is deliver you here

and I don't have
to do a book report.

I see how you putos are.

Pimping out your own homeboy!

The fuck are you
looking at?

You're coming with us?

Fuck no.

Nice, huh?

Look at that house right there,
honey.

Right there.

Check out these houses.

They're like all Beaver
and Cleaver.

Wow.

What do these
people do?

Lawyers, doctors,

businessmen...

College-educated people.

Hey, Mr. Castro?
Yeah.

You went to college, right?

Yeah.

How come you ain't
living out here?

Far out.

That's beautiful.

Whoa.

Wow.

You ever been to the beach?

Of course.

Once.

And another rule,
don't pick up any moving sticks.

Those are snakes.

Well, mine wasn't moving.

And you're not supposed
to pick those up either.

Why, are they dangerous?

They like to think they are.

Hi.

Here, let me help you.

Thank you.

Uh, excuse me.

Thank you so much
for your help

But, Paula, you can
get your bag.

No boys allowed.

Come on, ladies.
Get your bags and thank the guys

for their genuine kindness.

Does anybody know
why they're here?

Hey, does anybody
know why they're here?

To meet girls.

To meet boys.
Yeah.

All right, all right.
All right, all right.

I'll tell you why you're here.

Because an administrator
or a teacher

or somebody who understands
the Chicano struggle,

saw something in you.

Maybe you're smart,
maybe you're good at sports,

maybe you're good with people.

Maybe you're just
a chingon vato loco.

Ah, Bobby Verdugo.

Cholo King!

One out of four
Mexican-Americans

graduate high school.

- Huh?
- Wow.

You guys are almost over that hurdle.

The next hurdle is getting
you into college

and getting a degree.

Yeah, that's right.

"Time" magazine.
You guys see it?

It's America's bible

and we made it!

Whoo!

Let me read it to you.

It's called "Pocho's Progress."

- What?
- Pocho?

What are the pochos by the way?

Hey, what's pocho?
Hm?

"Nowhere is pocho's plight
more evident

than in the monotonous,
sun-scabbed flatlands

of East Los Angeles."

What are they talking about?
We got hills in East L.A.

No, I know.

I know.

"In tawdry taco joints
and rollicking cantinas,

the reek of cheap, sweet wine

competes with the fumes
of frying tortillas."

This is how they see you.

- That's bullshit, man.
- That's messed up.

Yeah.

So if our schools are inferior
and the police beat us up,

so what, right?
We deserve it, right?

We're cheap, tawdry, and poor.

No? No?

No!

2% of Chicanos
make it into college.

2%, we gotta change that.

Until we get educated,
somebody else will be writing our history.

I want us to write it.

That's right.

Let's write it.

Huh? I want us to make
our own history.

The great American Chicano!

All right, guys, now remember...

Remember that freedom
is an education and knowledge.

Thank you.
Got it, thank you.

Hi, welcome
to Occidental.

Strong liberal arts.
Thank you.

Okay, sure.

Okay, got it.
Got it.

I am hungry, girls.

Hi, Mr. Castro.

Thanks, Castro.
Hi, Mr. Castro.

UCLA.
It's UCLA.

I see L.A.,
we saw L.A.

What's with
the berets?

Oh, like the Black Panthers.
Only brown.

Oh, that's original.

Ladies, sign up right here.

What do you guys do?

We're a community action group
improving conditions

in the barrio.
Cleaning up parks,

registering people
to vote...

Don't forget about
protesting police brutality.

Yeah?

That's right.
I'm David Sanchez.

Carlos Montez.
Hi.

Armando Lopez.
Um, oh.

How you doing?

How are you guys?
Nice to meet you.

Here, this will give you an idea
of what's really going on.

All right, man, thanks
for your contribution.

We want people who've got
the guts to change things.

Think you've got
the guts, carnal?

Hey, girls,

you wanna change something,
go to college.

You're Al's sister, right?

Yeah, Paula.

Moctesuma Esparza,

I went to Lincoln with him.

You passed by my booth
and, uh,

where are you
going to college?

Oh, um, I don't
know yet.

There's 40 Chicanos
in UCLA,

at a school of 30,000,
not counting the gardeners.

We need all the beautiful
Chicanas we can get.

No, I mean I don't know
if I'm gonna go to college.

Yes, you are.

You're a leader,
and that's why you're here.

Please, fill these out.

We'll even pay
the application fee.

And, uh, Vickie?

Vickie will help you
with any questions you have.

Okay?
Hey, you guys.

Thank you, Monte.

It's Mocte.

Hey, here's my number.
Call me.

Thank you so much.
Thank you.

- See you.
- See you later, girls.

Hey, Yoli.

Check it out.

Chicanas,
I like that.

Chicano, Chicana,

how does that make
you feel?

You all should really be going.

You've gotta get a degree.

Good grades will help
if you don't have the money...

♪ Hey, Joe,
what are you going to do... ♪

♪ Hey, hey, Joe,
what are you going to do ♪

♪ I guess I'll shoot my woman
that's what I'll do... ♪

Chicano!

This is a poem
by Corky Gonzales.

"I am Joaquin..."

"...Lost in a world
of confusion.

Caught in the whirl
of gringo society.

Confused by the rules,

scorned by the attitudes.

I've come a long way
to nowhere.

I am Cuauhtémoc,

king of an empire civilized
far beyond the dreams

of the gachupín Cortés.

I am Maya prince,

great leader of the Chichimecas.

I rode with Pancho Villa.

Hidalgo, Zapata,
Murrieta, Espinozas

are but a few

who dared to face the force
of the tyranny of men

who rule by farce
and hypocrisy.

I stand here, looking back,

and now I see the present

in a country that's wiped out
all my history

and stifled my pride.

I shed a tear of anguish

when I see my children disappear
in the shroud of mediocrity.

Never to look back

and remember me.

And now the trumpets sound.

The music in the people
stirs a revolution,

like a sleeping giant
slowly rearing his head.

And we start to move.

La raza...

Mexicanos, Españoles,
Chicanos, Latinos,

whatever I call myself.

I look the same,

I feel the same,

I cry and sing the same.

I am Joaquin.

My blood is pure.

I am Aztec prince,
I am Christian Christ,

I shall endure."

Yeah, I know one thing.

I ain't no Joaquin.

Who's Joaquin?

The guy from the poem.

"Lost in a world of confusion,

caught in a whirl
of a gringo society."

Hey, that's Bobby.

You're Chicano, Bobby.
You can't wash that shit out.

You're an Aztec.

Mexica.
Man, I ain't no Aztec.

I'm a Dodgers fan.

Lost in a world of confusion.

You're the son of your father.
Your father's a Chicano.

My father's a teamster, man.

Nah, man.
He's from Bakersfield.

He's Mexican-American.

No, you're either Mexican
or you're American,

you can't be both.
You're one or the other.

That's not true.

But Irish-Americans
don't have to choose.

I'm not a Mexican-American.

I'm a Chicana,

born and raised
in the USA.

I think we can all
agree on that one, right?

Yeah.

You know, one day I wanna be
the first great Chicano surfer.

What's stopping you?

I can't swim.

Okay, what was
your favorite part, Paula?

Oh, the best part was definitely
dancing around the fire.

Oh, you two were
so funny.

Bobby was such a dork.

I've never seen you
move like that, man.

You get red ants on your feet of
course you'll be moving like that.

But this is what's great though.

Like, you got a bunch of kids,

some of the brightest kids,

right, that wanna change
as much as you guys.

That's what's so great
about it.

I didn't know that there
were that many people like...

There's a lot.
There's a lot more.

Wait, where are we?

It's a high school.
Who needs to go?

I'm going.

Okay, so this is
the senior court.

You see the stairwell?
Yeah.

Okay, there's a water fountain,

behind the water fountain
is a bathroom.

Okay?
Fernie come with me.

There you are.

I'm sorry,
I was gonna come down...

No, no, no.
What are you looking at?

Look at this,
there's so much to learn,

you know, find out about.

Our library is sad.
I mean, look,

they have books
in Hebrew,

they have French,
Mm-hmm.

German, they even
have Spanish.

Look at this, look.

We can't even speak
Spanish in our schools.

I know.

It's not right.

I mean, don't people realize
how we're being treated?

Hmm.

You should write
an article about it.

What, "A Tale of Two Schools"?

That's a good title.

Hi, papi.

Mando Ramos?

I love Mando,
look at him dance.

He's running away.

Come on, he's amazing.

He used to be.

Now he don't
work for it.

Thinks he knows everything.

He still wins
on points.

Takes too many chances.

Guys who take chances...

vas a ver...

Bang!

Get their heads taken off.

You should have
seen it, papi.

All we did was drive
across the city

and it was like we were
in a whole new world.

There were kids from all over.
Smart kids, papi.

We heard speeches
and there was a poem

and we learned
all about our culture.

What culture?

Chicano culture.

You're not a Chicana.

Of course I am.

I'm from the Philippines.

You're a "Chilipina."

Chilipina.

"A tale of two schools.

You're afraid of us,
your own children,

scared that we're gonna
shake things up.

Change what you're
holding onto.

But we're beginning to see
what's going on

and we don't like it.

We're opening our eyes
and finding our own voices."

"It's not about swimming
pools and fancy auditoriums.

The Palisades High library has books
in languages from all over the world.

They honor the cultures
of their students.

In East L.A., the Chicanos aren't
even allowed to speak Spanish.

The Declaration of Independence
tells us that we are created equal,

but our schools teach us
that we are not."

Dang, girl,
you can write.

I know.

Risco at La Raza
will love this.

Really?
Mm-hmm.

- This is La Piranya?
- That's right, girl.

We built this place ourselves.

There's so many people
in there.

Don't worry, you met
a lot of them up at Malibu.

This is the official
Chicana, Chicano headquarters.

Paula, Vickie, Hi.
Thanks for coming.

I think you know everyone here.
Hey. Hey, Robert.

Hey, Paula.
Hey, Mocte.

Hey, Vickie.
Hey, Tanya.

- Hi, Paula.
- Oh, Tanya, right?

I'm Tanya Mount.

Roosevelt?

Um, wait, what was
your name again?

John Ortiz.
I'm with Garfield.

Oh, Garfield?

Oh, just like Mita.
Mita goes to Garfield.

Yeah, Mita Cuaron.
Hi, Paula.

Um, and Mickey?

Mickey Fernandez.

Beverly Hills High School.

He wishes.

And Harry, right?

Harry Gamboa.

Wow, so we have all five
East L.A. high schools

right here in one place.

That could be dangerous.

Did you guys all read
Paula's article?

I read it.
I really liked it, Paula.

It's a great article.
Very impressive.

East L.A. schools are more
jacked up than Westside schools.

That ain't news.

It is news, Harry.

A student wrote it.

Yeah, the principal should
read the article actually.

I think we should get all our
school principals to read that.

Principals know
the school's jacked up.

But that's just
one student complaining.

It's not gonna do anything.

Well, one student might not
change anything,

but a whole bunch will.

So then what
do we do?

Well, how about we get
every high school student

to write an essay about
what they think about schools.

They're not gonna
write an essay.

They don't even do
their own homework.

This is East L.A.,
you know what I mean?

Not everybody
can write, you know?

We can make it simple.

We can ask
the questions ourselves, right.

Come up with a list
of questions

and then kids can answer them
about their schools...

- Like a survey.
- Oh yeah.

Surveys are bullshit.

Got a better idea?

You want to get
people's attention,

get their attention.

The Black Panthers
don't take no surveys.

We're not
the Black Panthers, ese.

Black Panthers?

We're talking about improving the schools,
Carlos.

We're talking about getting
people's attention, que no?

Que si, that's why we're
gonna do it our own way.

Nonviolently.

Hey, Vickie,

I'm just gonna go.

We just got here.
Yeah, stay.

Come on, we're just
getting into it.

I have to get home, I didn't
realize what time it is.

You guys don't know my dad.

Can I give you a ride?

You have a car?

Yeah, I have a car.
Come on.

All right, well,

it was nice seeing
you guys again.

- Thank you, bye.
- Okay, bye.

I'm watching you.

So you think
Carlos is serious?

About what?

About doing like
the Black Panthers,

violence and shit.

I don't know.

I... I don't think so.

I mean, I can't take
guys too seriously

who wear sunglasses
at night.

Neither can I.

Here, I'll get it.
Thanks.

Sorry.

So...

why did you join?

What, the Brown Berets?

Yeah, I saw you
sign up.

I don't know, I want
to help out the community.

I think we all need
to stick together.

So do I.

Thanks for taking
me home.

Yeah, sure.
It's no problem.

Um, look, Paula...
Yeah?

Um...
you know, I was watching you tonight.

When everyone was talking,
you're just listening.

I just wanted to hear
what they had to say.

Yeah...

Hey, sis.
What?!

Nothing, Dad's home
from work early.

Oh, my gosh.
Okay, you have to go.

Wait, um...

No, no, you've
gotta get out of here.

Wait, Paula...
Go, go, go.

Maybe you wanna do something
on Friday or something?

No, go now!

Who was the vato?
Al, I swear,

if you say anything...

Papi, you're home early.

It's late.
It's a Saturday night.

Who brought you home?

Yeah, tell him
who brought you home.

Wasn't that Vickie's car?

Who's Vickie?

She's a counselor
I met at camp.

I told you, I don't want you
hanging around those people.

You don't even know them.
Vickie goes to college.

They're agitators.
Agitators?

You see?
She's agitating.

Mija, who was the boy?

He was just a friend.

If you're trying
to hide something...

Mom, if I was
trying to hide something

we wouldn't be parked
in front of the house.

If you get pregnant...

What?

Mom, is that what you think
this is about?

I don't know
what this is about.

Do your parents and counselors
support you in all your ambitions?

"Do you think you are
going to graduate?"

Chale, hell no.

Why not?

"If not, why not?"

I'm serious, Bobby.

What is the point?

Hey,
I can hear you in there.

It's a raging river, sir.

All right, come on
out of there now.

Nature's calling, Mr.
Hurley. I have to answer.

Well, now you're gonna have
to answer to principal Ingles.

Let's go.

What is he supposed to do?

He's supposed to use
the bathroom.

The bathroom is locked.

Well, then he can wait.

That's what people do,

they wait.

Come on, let's go.

Mr. Hurley, come on.
Give the guy a break.

Hurley: Rodriguez,
this doesn't concern you.

He didn't hurt anything,
he won't do it again,

right, payaso?

Scout's honor.

Hey, come on.
Let us handle it.

All right.

Everybody listen up.

Don't pee in the bushes.

All right?

Okay.

Open the bathrooms.

Yeah.

Are you guys tired of this?

About how we're being treated
in school?

Well, we might have
something to change it.

What is that?

It's a survey.
It asks questions

about our schools and the way
that we're being treated.

We're hoping it will
make a difference.

Can I see one?

Yeah.

"Are you made to feel
ashamed of your heritage?"

Can I fill one out?

Yes.

Me, too.

Give me one of those.

Here.

You guys can all
fill them out.

Try to fill these out and get them back to us

as soon as you can.

Here.

Please fill out a survey
and return it to me.

Here, fill out
a flyer, man.

Everybody, take a survey
to evaluate our high school.

Improve our schools.
Please fill out this survey.

It's a survey
about our education.

Brown power.

Thank you so much.
Improve your schools.

Make a difference.

Hi, how are you?

Fill one of these out,
it will only take a minute.

Make a difference.
Hi, how are you?

Please take one.
It will only take a minute.

Hi.

It'll only take a minute.
Improve your schools,

make a difference.

Fill out this survey, man.

Hey, ladies,
how are you doing?

How was that biology class?

Fill out these surveys. We want to know
what the kids at Belmont have to say.

Here you go.

Here you go.

These things
are a joke.

They can't
even spell.

So you should have
no problem then.

She wants to be able to ask
questions during class.

That's reasonable.

Hey,
this guy wants Mexican food in the cafeteria.

Yeah, tacos
for everyone.

Hey, the pinche cops across the
street just hassled me, man.

- What happened?
- What?

Yeah, there's
cops out there.

We're not doing
anything wrong.

They've been out there for a while.

They've been
watching us, eh.

Hey,
did they ask you any questions?

Yeah, they asked me
all kinds of questions.

Yeah, you can't take these
surveys to the school board.

Morning, Mr. Hurley.

Good morning.
Hi, Lloyd.

Good morning, Sal.

Why not?

Look, Mocte said
that if we take...

Mocte?
Did he tell you

that he tried this two years ago?
What?

Yeah, and they
shut them down.

They'll shut this down.

No, the school board
has to listen...

They don't have
to listen to you.

Yes, they do.
Not to students.

They can wait until
you graduate or drop out

and then problem solved.

You don't even sound
like you're on our side.

I am on your side.
I was born on your side.

I have tortillas
in my blood.

Look, you have
to slow down.

Okay, you have
to build support.

'Kay.

What about
the school principals?

That's a start.
Try Ingles.

You want Mexican food
served in the cafeteria.

That's one point in 39,
Mr. Ingles.

"Compulsory bi-lingual
education.

Textbooks revised to reflect Mexican-American
culture and contributions..."

"Teachers who show prejudice
must be transferred."

"Libraries expanded.
End of swatting."

"Covered lunch areas.
No janitorial punishment.

New schools?"

Tell me, Tanya,
who's going to pay for the new schools?

Um... I don't know, sir.

I don't think you
thought this through.

You're going to graduate
in just a few months.

Are you saying it's not important
to improve our schools?

I don't see what you
have to complain about.

You've done
extremely well here.

'Cause it's not
just me.

Look, I'm not saying
the schools are perfect.

I've pushed for some
of these same changes myself.

These things take time.

Will you at least take it
to the school board?

Paula,
you have a bright future ahead of you.

Don't mess things up.

And that group that you've
been hanging out with,

you're too much
of an individual

to buy into that
collective angst crap.

Be sensible
about this.

Sal, can I have a word?

Yeah, sure.

Did you put these
kids up to this?

No.

I'm not stupid, Sal.

This is going to stop.

Paula Crisistomo is...

Crisostomo.

"Crisostomo."

Paul Crisostomo is
a good student.

She shouldn't be
jeopardizing her future.

It's not up to me.

The kids took
the initiative themselves.

Oh, and you're not
giving them any advice?

If they ask me a question,
I answer it truthfully.

That's what a teacher does.

I think that you're
trying to coerce these kids...

Ingles, I'm not trying
to coerce anybody.

Mr. Ingles, please.

Mr. Ingles, these kids
don't have to be coerced.

They know what's going on, they know that
they're getting the short end of the stick.

You know,
I can see why they kicked you out of Belmont.

You just don't know when
to draw the line, Sal.

All these kids
are gonna be heard.

If things go wrong...
Mm-hmm.

I'm coming after you.

Well, come early 'cause
there'll be a line.

What was that?

Oh, I said everything
will be fine.

Come on, huevones,
you just gonna sit there

and watch us clean all night?

Another reason
we got shit canned

was because it was
a stupid idea

to go to the principals
in the first place.

That was Sal's idea.

No, that was my idea.

Your idea was to take a survey.

And you didn't tell us
that you did it before.

Hey, that was two years ago.

Yeah, and it failed.

Look, we weren't nearly
as organized as we are now.

Screw that, it's the past. Why don't we
just take the surveys to the school board?

Enough with the surveys already.
It didn't work.

Kids are getting their heads busted
for burning their draft cards

and we can't turn in a few
papers to the school board?

Shit.

I'll have to build
a coalition,

You know how
this thing works.

It's gonna take time.

Well, time is what
we're running out of.

These kids
are ready to blow.

Sal, you're the teacher.

Teach them the system.

Well, the system's been screwing
them their entire lives.

I think they have a pretty good
idea of how the system works.

Radical reform doesn't
happen overnight.

Did the Watts riots
really change anything?

Well, let's just hope
it doesn't come to that.

I'm gonna need time
to do this

but I just got elected
to the school board.

Yeah, thanks
to the Chicano vote.

Let's get one thing
straight, all right?

Mm-hmm.

It was a county-wide
election.

Oh, you're sounding
like a politician.

You're sounding
like an idiot.

Oh! An idiot, huh?

Unenlightened.

I prefer idiot.

Listen, get me more
of these surveys,

I'm gonna have
to pass them out.

So bring 'em to me
for the next...

Mr. Castro.

The meeting will now come to order.

Male Board Member:
Excuse me, Madam Chair.

First thing on the agenda
is of course

the funding for the Westside.

It will be
approximately 2.5 million.

The motion was seconded.

- Thank you, Mr.
- Thank you.

- Yes, Madam Chair.
- Yes?

...That the words
"deaf" and "hard of hearing"

and that the report...

We'll check our calendars independently

- and come back to decide to correct it.
- Okay.

We'll take it up next week.

I say we call it a day.

One moment, if I may.

Julian, you never take
just one minute.

Earlier today
I passed out a report.

It's a survey taken by
a group of students

from our East L.A. schools.

There's some very interesting
ideas on how to improve

the studies
for Mexican-American students.

May we go through it?

I think we could all use
a little more time

to review the document.
What do you think, Dr. Nava?

Well, I'd like
to set a timetable.

Put the timetable on the agenda
for our next meeting.

This session
is now adjourned.

We can't just sit around
and wait for these pendejos.

It's time to protest.
Yeah!

Hey, I know a vato
back from 'Nam

who makes a mean
Molotov cocktail.

Hey, the point is
nonviolence, pendejo.

Like Martin Luther King and
Gandhi and Cesar Chavez. Come on!

It's like the Montgomery
Bus Boycotts.

I can't hear anything, you guys.

Hey, hold it!
Hold it!

It's like Montgomery.

You know Dr.
King got everybody to boycott buses, right?

Yeah, and Cesar
is boycotting grapes.

Yeah, you guys,
but this is about schools, okay?

So let's boycott!

- The schools?
- Why not?

That's completely different.

No, it's not.
It's exactly the same.

We get treated like
second-class citizens.

Hey, you guys, are we talking
about buses here or what?

Our schools are
the back of the bus.

What?

Boycott the schools.

Yes, boycott!
That's good.

No, it's not a good idea.

Oh, it isn't?

No. You wanna know why?

Because they don't give
a shit if these kids

go to school or not.

Actually, they do.
Oh, how so profesor?

A.D.A.

Average daily attendance.

Schools get money
from the state

according to how many
students are present.

Empty chairs,
empty pockets.

They need us!

So what, a bunch
of kids stay home sick?

No, we show up
and then we leave.

- Huh?
- Si.

Walkout.

Walkout, yeah.

A walkout.
A walkout.

Walkout!

I like that!
Walkout!

Let's do it!

Come on!

Let's go!
Walkout!

Walkout!

Molotov cocktails
and walkouts worry me.

I mean, I think there could
be a better way to do this.

Why didn't you
say anything?

This whole thing
could backfire on us.

If we attack the principals
and the school board members,

they're gonna fight back.

It's not an attack.

It's a protest.

I want better schools,
I want a Chicano mayor from East L.A.

So are you declaring
your candidacy?

No.

I don't know,
maybe.

Maybe.

Hey, holmes.

Hey, check it out.

What is it?

Smile for the camera.

Check out those pigs
right there.

Cheese!

Queso!

Make sure they
get your good side.

Armando!

Come on, Fernie.
You missed a candy wrapper.

Come on, pick it up.

Let's get that.

You've got something else
over here by the drainpipe.

By the rain gutter, Fernie.
Let's go.

This whole quarter's
got to be clean.

Not one piece of trash.

Come on, come on.
Don't forget these papers over here.

Not one piece of trash.

Come on, I've been here
long enough already.

Don't you wanna go home?

You've got two milk cartons
under that table.

Fernie, you've got
two milk cartons

under that table.
Clean it up.

Clean up the two milk cartons.

Come on, Fernie,
all of the trash.

All of it.
How many times do I gotta say it?

Come on, we've been
doing this all day.

Two milk cartons
and you're off the hook.

Clean up the two milk cartons,
put them in the trash pile,

and let's get out of here.

Fernie...

Fernie!
It's not worth it.

Pick up that broom.

Just do what he says.

Come on, he just wants you to quit.
Hey!

He wants you to quit!
You stay out of this! I did not ask you.

Just do what he says, okay?

Just do what he says.

Hey, Fernie, look at me.

Come on.

Pick up that broom
or you're out of here.

Please, Fernie,
just do it, okay?

Come on.

Please, Fernie.

Last chance, Fernie.
Pick up the damn broom!

That's right, pick it up.

All right, now you got
a pile of trash over here.

Hey,
you got two milk cartons under that table.

Fernie?

Fernie?
Hey!

It happens to so many kids.

The ones who don't fit in,
they get pushed out.

This boy made a poor choice.

He didn't have a choice.
You don't know, Fernie.

I know Fernie.
At least he didn't kill the guy.

He was going to graduate high school.

Now what's he
supposed to do?

If he wants to fight,
he can fight in the army.

Know what I'm
talking about?

Is there another choice?

It's an honor.

Is Al going
to the army?

No.

If the government asks,
he will go.

A country must defend itself.

From what?
Panfilo: Communism.

We're not stopping communism,
we're probably spreading it.

She's right. I can't believe
I'm defending you.

I'm defending you.
If you go to the Army,

they'll send you
to the front line.

That's where they send
all the Chicanos.

I've heard that too,
Panfilo.

I believe it.

That's where Woody's brother got killed.

If you want to live
in this country,

you must be willing
to die for it.

All the good things
we have in America,

it's not for free.

That's what's great
about our country,

is we can question
our leaders.

You're all so smart,
start your own country.

Papi, I'm ready.

Okay, let's go.

Hey, what are you
doing here?

The principals know
we're blowing out.

Julian Nava
talked to Sal.

They know everything,

who's on the committees,
when we meet.

How'd they find out?

Nava thinks
it was the police.

Come on, we're meeting.

I can't,
I have work.

Well, can't you
get out of it?

Papi, Vickie's gonna
take me.

Bye.

We gotta go pick up
Bobby and Yoli.

Aren't we going
to La Piranya?

No, the church.

La chota closed us down.

The police know who we are.
They know what we're up to.

That's why they
closed down La Piranya.

Somebody here
is talking to them.

On behalf of all the outside
agitators in this room,

I'd like to send a special
message to the police.

Que viva la raza!

Que viva!

Wait a minute,
wait a minute.

I have a special message
for the informant,

whoever you are, puto.

Que viva!

Paula is one of our best students.

But she's fallen in
with a radical crowd.

Is she breaking
any school rules?

Not technically.

Paula's trying to convince her fellow
students to boycott the school.

She's trying to stage a walkout.

I'm sure you can appreciate
the position that puts me in.

Your daughter's
a good student.

Paula, when you get to college,
you can protest all you want.

Hell, it's probably
an elective.

If I have to expel one student
to protect all of the others,

I'll do it.

I'm sorry,
what was that?

He says he will
speak to his daughter.

Good.

I'd hate to see Paula lose everything
she's worked so hard to attain.

Paula, these men
are serious.

They're gonna make
an example of you.

They're just scared 'cause
they know we're right.

You are risking everything.

I told you to stay away

from these agitators.

Why do you listen
to those people?

They don't care
about you.

In a few months
you graduate.

Do whatever you want.
Get married, have babies,

work, whatever!

Go back to school.

Go back.

Mr. Castro?

Yeah?

I don't know
if I can do this.

What?
What's the matter?

Principal Ingles said
that he would expel me

if I did the walkouts.

What?
He can't do that.

You have every right
to protest.

But what if he can?

What if he could take away
everything that I worked for?

The one thing that I
accomplished in life.

Hmm...

What would you do?

I can't answer
that for you.

I...

You're my teacher.

Yeah, you're right,
you're right.

Every choice has
a set of consequences, right?

And you're gonna have to live
through those consequences,

not me.

Aren't you scared?

Never.

You got fired, right?

From your last job?

For the tortilla movement,
yeah.

There was no Mexican-Americans
in student council.

100% Anglo.

So I helped 'em put together
a political party.

And it was good,
they were good.

They ran a strong campaign,
you know.

And it came down
to the final debate

and they delivered
their platform in Spanish.

Which follows
which political rule?

Consolidate your power base.

That's right.

You know, it was a scene.
You should have seen it.

One half was going crazy,

the other half didn't know
what the hell was going on.

And the principal comes on
and takes the mic and he says,

"You can't speak a foreign
language in L.A. schools."

Mr. Castro, you know that.

Did you know the original
California constitution

was written
in Spanish and English?

They were both
official languages.

But you still got fired.

It was a good lesson.

Kids learned about politics.

Guess you did, too.

Hmm, well, that was my choice.

Now you have
to make your choice.

Thank you.

I have been looking
all over for you.

Wilson walked out.

What?
I know, I know.

They didn't tell anybody,
they just did it.

Come on, we have
to have a meeting.

What's wrong?

You go ahead,
I have work.

Can't you
get out of it?

Yeah, but...

I'm not going to.

The schools are supposed
to walk out together.

- That's the point.
- Exactly.

Right on, Robert.

Yeah, Robert, what happened?
Were you a part of it?

I didn't tell 'em to,
they just did it.

We know that.
Why?

Principal canceled some play,
actors got all pissed off

and just started yelling
"walkout" and they walked out.

That's a joke.

The other schools
have to go out now.

Yeah, we're gonna
get blamed anyway.

No, hey, whoa, whoa.
no, no, no.

Hold on, wait a minute.

No, no more waiting.

No, we're not ready.

We don't have a choice.

Wilson jumped the gun.

Look, ya estuvo con la blah,
blah, blah.

We go out tomorrow.
Who's with me?

I'm with you.

Hold on, hold on,
hold on.

Hold it.
One at a time guys.

Okay, was there
any cameras there?

No.

No?
No photographers, no reporters?

I don't think so.

Didn't happen.

What are you talking about?

The walkout
didn't happen.

Mr. Castro,
we know it happened.

Well, no, no, no.
If the news wasn't there,

then it didn't happen.

Tune in tomorrow, Sal.
'Cause we're going out.

You're not ready yet.

You're not organized.

We're organized.

Well, how many
picket signs do you have?

What do they say?

Who's going to carry 'em?

Hey, Paula.
Hi.

And what about the gangs?

We'll be walking
right into their territory.

And what about
after the walkout?

How about the news stations?

Anybody talk
to the news stations?

Did you talk
to the news stations?

You know what happened
today at Wilson?

Nothing.

Whole bunch of kids
got home early.

A bunch of kids stood up
for what they believed in.

Yeah, but everybody
has beliefs.

You want to inspire people
with what you believe.

You gotta
get organized.

We don't have to listen
to this man, we could blow out...

You gotta get organized.
You have to get organized.

Chavez organized
the farm workers,

Dr. King organized the blacks,
Gandhi, he organized India.

Also, Che and Zapata.

Yeah, you don't think
they organized?

You take your time,
you do your work,

you inspire people.

How long do you think
it will take us?

Two years.

No, just...

No, nah.

A week, a week.
It'll take a week.

Wednesday at the earliest.

We said tomorrow.

You know what,
let's put it to a vote.

Let the kids vote.

No.

Yes.

Sal's right.

They're the ones
with the most to lose.

All those in favor of walking out tomorrow,
please raise your hand.

Wednesday?

All right,
let's get organized.

All right, Blowout Committee.
Brown Berets, ready?

Ready, where's Cal State?

- Ready.
- Loyola's ready.

What about UCLA?
Ready.

Long Beach, USC,
Northridge?

All right,
Brown Berets, listen up.

Remember, you keep between
the cops and the kids,

you got it?
Passive resistance.

If those pigs try to grab you,
go limp.

Make no mistake, mi gente,
la placa knows this is coming.

The LAPD, the FBI, CIA,
Sheriff's department,

and everybody else is gonna
be there tomorrow.

So I want
the Brown Berets and UMAS...

use your head,
take care of these kids.

If any heads get busted,
make sure it's yours, okay?

I have a question.

What if nobody walks out?

They'll walk out.

We're gonna walk out.

Tomorrow,
all of the schools.

If we back down now,

how are we ever gonna
stand back up again?

Papi's gonna trip out, huh?

Good?

I hope you know
what you're doing.

It's gonna be okay.

With 52 deaths today,

the total number of American
casualties in Vietnam

now stands at 23,042.

There's very little hope
for peace on the horizon.

U.S. troops are now bogged down
in a four-year conflict

with no end in sight.

Are you nervous?

Paula,

did you get to sleep?

No, not really.

Morning.

Everybody's in a good mood?

- Yeah.
- Good morning.

Walk out.

Walk out, Garfield.

Belmont, walk out!

Roosevelt, walk out!

Wilson, walk out.

Walk out.

Paula, what are
you doing?

I'm sorry, Mr. Hurley.

Paula, get back
in your seat please.

Walk out.

Walk out!

Lincoln, walk out!

Walk out!

Where is everybody?

Be strong, be strong,
be strong.

Walk out!

Walk out!

All right,
let's take attendance.

Rodriguez, sit back down.

Rodriguez!

Walk out!

Walk out!

Come on!

Walk out!
Walk out!

Walk out!

Roosevelt, walk out!

Wilson, walk out!

Lincoln, walk out!

All right, let's
take attendance.

Chapa?
Here.

Walk out!
Come on, you guys, keep it going!

Viva la raza!

Viva!

Walk out!

Walk out!

Walk out!

Walk out!

Walk out! Walk out!
Walk out!

Walk out! Walk out!

Walk out! Walk out!

The other side!
The other side!

Walk out.

Walk out!
Walk out!

Stay on the sidewalk,
stay together, move!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!

Power!

- Chicano!
- Power!

Yes, it's really happening.
Yeah!

Hey, keep those people
on the sidewalk.

Let's go,
keep moving.

Off the street!
Get these people off the street!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!
Power!

Excuse me. Nick, stay with me.
Excuse me.

Aren't you Sal Castro,
the teacher who orchestrated

today's walkout?

Yes, I am Sal Castro

and, uh, no, I didn't
orchestrate the walkouts.

The kids did it
on their own.

Why do you think
they did it?

Well, the Mexican-American
community

has long been referred to
as the "sleeping giant."

And today, he's getting
his wake up call.

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!
Power!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!
Power!

Viva la raza!

Que viva!

We want equal education for all!

Chicano!

Honey...

Honey, come here.

What is she doing?

♪ I said clap your hands ♪

♪ Come on ♪

♪ I said clap your hands ♪

♪ Come on ♪

♪ And then move your feet ♪

♪ Come on ♪

♪ Get into that beat ♪

♪ Come on,
I said... ♪

♪ Na, na-na, na-na ♪

♪ na-na, na-na ♪

♪ na-na, na-na, na-na ♪

♪ na-na, na-na. ♪

♪ Everybody come on now... ♪

♪ Na, na-na, na-na ♪

♪ na-na, na-na ♪

♪ na-na, na-na, na-na ♪

♪ na-na, na-na ♪

♪ One more time... ♪

Listen up, everybody.
I just got off the phone with Julian Nava.

And the school board said they're
gonna consider our demands...

next week!

We won!

Hey, man.
Hey, wait a minute.

We didn't win nothing.

A phone call from a coconut saying
he's going to consider our demands?

Yeah, they're
called negotiations.

Yeah, I know how they
negotiate with Chicanos.

We give and they take.

Well, let's wait and see
what they come back with.

Wait a minute, hold on.
Hold on, wait a minute.

If we back off now,
we're old news.

All right, what if we
meet the board halfway?

Some schools walk out,
and others stay in.

A show of weakness.

You already sent
the message.

Well, let's
send it louder.

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

Let the schools decide.

- Yeah.
- Fine, all right.

- Wilson!
- Garfield!

Lincoln!
Roosevelt!

Berets!
Belmont!

All right.

Garfield?

We're undecided.

Lincoln?

Lincoln's gonna stay in.

Roosevelt?

We're walking.

Wilson?

Wilson stands down
with Lincoln.

Belmont?

Blowout.

Why were you
so quiet tonight?

I don't know.
Everyone else was talking.

I just, uh...

didn't have
that much to say.

Look, I...

I'm uh...

I'm glad you're not
walking out tomorrow.

I, um, I have to go.

Yeah?

My dad's probably, um,
waiting for me right now.

So I...

I have to... yeah.

So I'll call
you tomorrow?

It's probably better
if I call you.

Roosevelt and Belmont
are walking out tomorrow.

Give me enough men
to cover these two schools.

I want to put a stop to this.

Yeah, we know all about
this Brown Beret group.

They're a potentially
militant, dangerous group.

Any kind of communist
affiliation,

foreign agents?

My own daughter enters
the house like a thief.

Papi, I didn't want
to wake anybody.

So now, you are concerned
about your family?

I saw you on TV.

My daughter,

standing on a car
waving a sign.

How do you think I felt?

Proud?

No.
Did you read the sign?

It does not matter.
Did you read the sign?

You were waving it
in the face of a policeman.

Equal education for all.

What is wrong with you?

What is wrong
with what you have?

I don't know, I just don't
want to be like you.

Get in.

I brought you some clothes
and your books.

Your aunt has a spare room.

I'm going to Vickie's.

He'll cool down
in a few days.

Fathers tend to worry,
you know?

Especially about
their daughters.

I'll handle papi.

My father used to tell me,

"Never fall in love
with a sailor."

Mom, I know
how you met Dad.

I got pregnant.

It's been 20 years,
we've had very few easy days.

Make sure you can live with the
decisions that you make, mija.

Damn.

We can't even get close.

All right,
get those signs to the kids.

Make sure they're moving.

Quickly, quickly.

Let's go, people.
Let's go, man.

If we have to push back, we will.

Listen to my command.
Line up now.

Are we making
the right decision?

I really don't know.

Roll call.

Mickey, I need you
to sit back down.

You need to sit back down
in your seat, Mickey.

Belmont, walk out.

Walk out, Garfield!
Walk out!

Blowout!
Walk... walk out!

I need everybody to go back to your seats.

Stay seated.
I need you to stay in your seats.

Please, Sylvia, don't...
Angela, don't do this.

Stop, I need you to...

Stop! Stop!

I need you to step back.

Open your books
to page 49.

Walk out!

Walk out!

This is an unlawful assembly.

By the order of the state
of California,

you must return to your school.

Get back inside.

You're making
a big mistake.

We can't let these
guys intimidate us.

Students are coming
from everywhere.

Susan, make sure that
these kids keep moving, okay?

Don't let 'em stop, don't let 'em stop.
Keep 'em moving.

All right, all right, all right.
Back inside.

Back inside!
Back in...

Walk out, Garfield!

Walk out!

Excuse me, students,
what is going on out here?

We have to.

Yeah, do it.

Walk out!

Carlos, the gate!

Get it open!

Armando, David!
The gate!

You have two minutes.

Return to your classrooms
or you will be arrested.

Stay off the street!

Go, stay
on the sidewalk!

Keep moving.
Keep moving.

Stay off the street.

Keep moving, keep moving.

Please, no!
Please!

It's locked!

We can't go anywhere!
Please open, it's locked!

One minute.

You better back up!

La raza!

Viva!

Viva la raza!
Que viva!

Chicanos!

Clear 'em out.

Stop!

Get off me, get off me!

Stop!
Stop hitting them!

Get off the bleachers
or you will be arrested!

I repeat, get down
from the bleachers

or you will be arrested!

Crisistomo?

Crisistomo?

Paula?

Here.

Student protests continued
for a second consecutive day

as two East L.A. schools
boycotted classes.

Unlike yesterday's
peaceful demonstrations,

where all five area schools
marched in solidarity,

today's smaller protest
was marred by student violence.

Fortunately, a heavy
police presence kept order,

resulting in only
a handful of arrests.

Commentator Earl Brown has some thoughts
about the events of the last two days.

What is the Mexican-American
community saying to us

with these random displays
of juvenile rebellion?

Are they just children
acting out?

Or is there a much more dangerous
element entering the story.

Chief of Police Tom Reddin
has specifically alluded

to outside agitators.

Many with ties
to the Communist Party.

But let us ask ourselves,
has it simply become the vogue

for our younger generation
to attack the very institutions

which are the cornerstones
of our society?

For we the people of Los Angeles
know all too well the results

of these types of attacks, when radical
youth take the law into their own hands.

Chief Reddin had these comments.

Work still remains.

I think we've seen the last
of these so-called walkouts.

- Like hell you have.
- The aftermath

of the Watts riots...
I can't believe what they did.

...illustrated that civil unrest...
Neither can I.

must be countered by swift...
Turn it off.

...and decisive police action.

So we got, um...

we got kids in jail
and in the hospital.

And, uh, all the footage
that, uh...

the kids were being
beat up with,

none of it, um...

none of it made it on the...
in the news.

They wanna pretend
that it didn't happen.

It didn't happen.

Tomorrow's Friday.

I say we take a stand.

They won't let you
just walk out.

We can win this one, Sal.

We need an escort.

I'll bring my abuela.

He's right though,
'cause they don't hit abuelas.

Bullshit.
My abuela hits back.

Why don't we
just invite everybody?

Parents, brothers, primos,

kids.

Why not?

Uh...

Okay, every school
has to walk out together.

At the same time.

Yeah.

All in favor,

say, "yea."

Yea.

Lincoln,
let's walk out.

Walk out!

Walk out! Come on, you guys.
Walk out!

- Walk out! Walk out, come on.
- All right, let's go.

You know what
happened yesterday.

Come on, this is dangerous.

Walk out!

Come on, guys, it's like
lambs to the slaughter.

La raza!

La raza!

Walk out!

Walk out!

If they come at you,
don't resist.

Walk out!
Hey, if they come at you,

don't resist.
Okay.

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!
Power!

Chicano!
Power!

Viva la raza!

Viva la raza!
Que viva!

Chicano!
Power!

Que viva!

Viva la raza!
Que viva!

Que viva!

Chicano!
Power!

Leave our children alone!

Your papi's gonna trip.

Anything to say?

It's a beautiful day
to be a Chicano.

And in that spirit, we're
forming a committee of parents

to take over where
the kids left off.

And I'd like
to introduce to you,

Dr. Julian Nava,
ladies and gentlemen.

I have some very good news.

The board has agreed to convene
on a special session

at Lincoln High
tomorrow evening.

Looks like you got
their attention.

We did it.
We made them listen.

And we didn't even have to be
sneaky about what we wanted.

Well, that's
a good thing.

Yeah.

I... I gotta go.

Well, actually, wait.

Um, there's something
I want to ask you.

Do you want to go
to prom with me?

I don't know.
Um...

You don't have to.

I mean... it...

No, I'd like to.

I would,
I'd like to.

I have to go.
Okay.

Compulsory bilingual
and bicultural education

will be enacted in all
East Los Angeles high schools.

Corporal punishment
must be stopped.

Janitorial duties should not be
assigned to students as punishment.

Students who speak Spanish
in the classroom

should not be reprimanded.

Chicanos deserve a right
to a higher education.

No student should be discouraged
from pursuing a college track.

Teachers who show any form of prejudice
must be transferred out of the district.

No students or teachers are to
be reprimanded for participating

in the recent demonstrations.

And restrooms are to remain open
to all students at all times.

Viva la raza!

Que viva!

You like it?

Really?

Mom, thank you.

Here, let's put them on.

They're gonna bring
you good luck tonight.

You'll see.

- Chicano!
- Power!

Que viva la raza!

Que viva!

- Chicano!
- Power!

You're Moctesuma Esparza?

Yes.
You're under arrest.

No!
No!

Come on!

Are you David Sanchez?

LAPD, you're under arrest.

Gentlemen, you are under arrest.

Hey, we got a right
to be here, man.

Hey, you got
a warrant?

Get your hands
off me!

Paula...

Please come with me.

Hey, what's wrong?

What happened?

The police are
arresting everybody.

Mocte, Risco,
Armando, David,

they're all in jail.

What about Robert?

I don't know.

They probably
arrested Robert.

We have to go find Sal.

He'll know what to do.

Mr. Castro!

We need a man over at...

Suspect was a female, white,
in a silver or gray Toyota.

Well, where is he?

- Such an idiot.
- He's downtown.

I will call my dad right now,
he can take all of us.

We got to get them out of jail!
That's not fair.

This is just bullshit social injustice, man.

Listen, stop!
We have to defend ourselves.

We have to get
them out of jail.

That's all we know.

There's gonna be
a bail hearing.

Someone's got a line
on a Chicano lawyer.

Like there is such a thing?

Hey, man, these are serious charges,
all right?

Wait a second, you just said
that disrupting the school

is a misdemeanor.

They didn't charge 'em
with disrupting a school.

They charged
'em with a conspiracy to disrupt a school.

A conspiracy to commit
a misdemeanor?

Exactly.

Wait a minute,
that doesn't sound so bad.

It's a felony, Bobby.

Our friends are
looking at serious time.

How much?

66 years.

What?!

66 years for banging
on school lockers?

That's a life sentence.

Hey,
they'll never make that stick.

Yes, they can.

Robert was with us
the whole time,

he'll tell them everything.

Paula, it's not your fault.

Papi?

I wanted to say
that I was sorry.

For everything.

You said those who take chances,
vas a ver...

Bang.
Bang.

They get hit.

I didn't know
what I was doing.

Mr. Castro,

Mocte, the Brown Berets,
they were all arrested

and thrown into jail.

You step in the ring
and you get hit.

I should have
listened to you.

Well, you disrespected
your father.

And now you're
just going to quit?

You won't give in to me

but you're going to
give in to them?

I don't agree with
what you are doing.

But they had no right
to beat you kids that way.

Do you know why nobody wants
to fight Latino boxers?

Because they don't quit.

They never give up.

Te amo.

Bobby?
This is the plan.

You want me to go to college?

Mita, you, me, and everybody,
we have to make a statement.

Okay, listen.

What do you think
I should be, Pancha, huh?

How about an ornithologist, huh?

Maybe I'll teach Spanish.

Mexican-American?
No, Chicano.

Right?

What are you gonna be
when you grow up, Bobby?

I don't know.

When I find out,
then I'm gonna be it.

Free the East L.A. 13!
Free the East L.A. 13!

Move it, move it, move it!

Go, go!
Get out of the way.

Get out of my way!

- Come on!
- Go, go, go, go!

Free the East L.A. 13!
Free the East L.A. 13!

Officers, hold this line!

Please disperse, and move down.

You must be
on the sidewalk.

I repeat,

please disperse
and move back.

Sir, please let me
speak with them.

I know these people.

Make it quick.

Paula, please,
help me stop this.

Okay, before anybody
gets hurt.

Look, they posted bail,
they're gonna be out soon.

I wanted to tell you.

I just didn't
know how.

I was doing my job.

We trusted you.

Well, what did you accomplish
with the walkouts?

The schools aren't
gonna change,

the dropout rate's
not gonna change,

nothing's gonna change.

You might have ruined
13 people's lives.

Was it worth it?

Yeah.

It was worth it.

You know, the schools
may not have changed,

but we did.

Sal!

Sal!

Thank you!

Sal, thank you!
Thank you, Sal!

Thank you, Sal!

Yeah, Sal!

Sal!

Thank you!

Sal, thank you!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!
Power!

Que viva la raza!

Que viva!

Que viva Sal Castro!

Que viva!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano!

Power!

Chicano power!

What the walkouts did...
it focused the attention

now on the Chicanos
in the city.

because these kids
were serious.

A lot of us had the same sort of complaints

about what was
happening in our lives

as far as our education.

So we decided
to take a survey.

That's when we
start to gather that information

and start interacting
with the school district,

saying, you're not
meeting our needs

and look, we wanna
go to college.

It was the political evolution

of a group of young Chicanos
in East L.A.

and asserting their
real identity.

And then getting involved
and realizing

that the system wouldn't change

unless you became
more direct action.

My decision to walk out

was probably the lightest
decision

in terms of what I would have
liked to have done at that point,

with that kind of youth
and energy and anger.

To see outright hostility, brutality,

it didn't match the thing
that we were doing.

We didn't commit a crime.

We were protesting.

The blowouts made us
all realize that,

wow, collectively we had
a strong voice

and it gave us a power that we
didn't realize that we had before.

This was a time in which
enough Chicano students

had gained mastery of the tools
that were necessary

to shake up the system
and had taken the ideals

of the country to heart.

And so we protested
for our rights.

As the bell rang
for the kids to go to school,

into the classroom,
out they went.

With their heads held high,
with dignity.

It was beautiful
to be a Chicano that day.

:: Ripped and Re-synchronized ferneiva ::