For the first time ever, Xicana Moratorium Day – an event that highlights the current issues that affect the RAZA community - will take place at Oakland's San Antonio Park this Sunday, Aug. 28.

Although Xicana Moratorium Day - XMD - is usually held every year in San Francisco, organizers decided to change the location in large part due to gang injunctions and other alleged attacks that are happening against the RAZA community in Oakland. XMD is organized by CoatlNecalli, a grassroots Xicana/o indigenous based, social justice organization.

“Our theme is aqui estamos y no nos vamos: luchando por gente, tierra y libertad,” Sagnicthe Salazar, an organizer for CoatlNecalli for the last eight years, said. "It means we are here, and we are not leaving. We are here to fight for our people.”

Salazar said that members of CoatlNecalli are young people throughout the Bay Area who understand the importance of culture and organizing.

“All these young people put in hard work and come together to plan this event,” she said. “None of them are paid. They do it out of the love they have for their community. This shows what our young people are doing to create positive solutions and ways to take action.”

People are encouraged to come out and celebrate Xicana Moratorium Day, which will include live music, a Salsa and Merengue dance contest, community vendors, free food, HIV testing, job placement programs and activities for kids. There also will be a sunrise ceremony performed by Danza Grupo Xitlalli at 5 a.m., as well as an Aztec dance, from 10 a.m. to noon.    

“We want to celebrate the beauty in our community and organize,” Salazar said. “I think for our community, it is hard for people to come out and have a good time. We want to create that kind of space. We usually have 400 to 500 people. This is an opportunity to do something with our folks and to bring families together.”

History

The first Xicana Moratorium Day was held on Aug. 29, 1970, at Ruben Salazar Park in Los Angeles. Approximately 20,000 people from across the nation gathered at the park in a peaceful protest in response to the Vietnam War.

However, the peaceful protest quickly became deadly when a riot broke out. Many people were injured and three people lost their lives in the Los Angeles Police Department and protester aftermath. 

Those who lost their lives - Angel Diaz, Lynn Ward and Ruben Salazar - will be among those commemorated at Xicana Moratorium Day. Diaz and Ward were two members of the Brown Berets, a group of young Chicano revolutionaries during the Chicano Liberation movement. Salazar was not only a news reporter for the LA Times, but he also represented one of the first voices in mainstream media and brought to light issues and concerns of the RAZA community.

“This will be the 32nd Annual Moratorium Day,” Sagnicthe Salazar said. “Today is about commemorating that 1970 original day, which called an end to the Vietnam War and attacks on the RAZA community.” 

If You Go

What: A free community concert with local artists using music, poetry, art and dance, to put out a positive message.

When: From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. Sunrise ceremony begins at 5 a.m. and Aztec dance is from 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: San Antonio Park, located at Foothill and 16th Street in Oakland