Chicano Mexicano Prison Project:
10 Points Platform
During the "Chicano Power" period (1965-75), our movement was able to mobilize and
win all sectors of our community to the struggle for Chicano Mexicano
self-determination. We saw, for example, the students (M.E.Ch.A.), the vato/a locos
(Brown Berets and Crusade For Justice), the intellectuals (Chicano Studies),
political activists (Raza Unida Party), the workers (United Farmworkers),
community-barrio media (Chicano Press Association), and Raza in the joints or
recently released (Pinto Unions), all working and struggling for Chicano Mexicano
self-determination. The activists during this period understood the necessity of
uniting all sectors of the community into one powerful weapon against gringo
colonialism and imperialism.
Unión del Barrio has repeatedly stated in past documents, that not only do we claim
the "legacy" of this period of time, -but that we are also determined to advance its
objectives of Chicano Power and liberation. Along these lines, the Unión has created
the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project with the objective of winning Mexicano prisoners
(the majority who are victims of the gringo capitalist/colonialist system of
exploitation) to La Causa: the liberation of all Mexicans and the reconquest of our
lands.
We understand that the great majority of Raza who (which has historically been the
case) are presently locked up in U.S. prisons, are men and women who are victims of
the colonial oppression of Mexicano people by U.S. imperialism. We also understand
that a large percentage, 20% to 30% and in some Barrios the great majority of our
people are directly connected to prisons, jails, juvenile halls, or the probation
department. This "connection" is either in the form of being actually incarcerated,
on parole, or having a relative under the control of the so-called "legal system." A
true national liberation movement must include the great majority of the people,
therefore, we must include the prison population within our struggle.
1) We recognize that the United States is an illegal settler government that stole
our land in 1848 and has oppressed our gente, therefore it has no right to judge or
imprison the Mexicano people.
2) As colonized oppressed people, we are prisoners of this foreign system in our
land, and we understand that most Raza in prison are political prisoners.
3) We understand that capitalism and colonialism are by their very nature breeders
of crimes; therefore, if we are to eliminate crime, we must first eliminate
capitalism and colonialism.
4) We understand that the prison industry has become a cornerstone of the U.S.
capitalist economy. (Need to add examples)
5) We understand that prisons are used specifically to neutralize liberation
movements using new and existing laws with longer sentences as a way of eliminating
threats to the capitalist/colonialist system.
6) We understand that the general white population and vendidos (neocolonialists)
support the increasing number of prisons being built, as they benefit materially and
socially from the incarceration of Raza and other oppressed people.
7) We must create a system where Mexicanos and Mexicanas accused of crimes can only
be tried by revolutionary tribunals made up by and consisting of members of the
national liberation movements.
8) We understand that the United States systematically imposed the illegal drug
economy in our barrios and it is used to criminalize and lock down our gente.
9) We understand that the rapid incarceration rate of Raza women is part of the U.S.
genocidal strategy to destroy our families and communities.
10) We recognize that the mass incarceration and criminalization of Raza Youth is
another form of genocide. (add example like education system)
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