The East LA Walkouts
The East LA Walkouts, also known as the Chicano Blowouts, were a series of protests led
by Chicano students in Los Angeles in 1968. The walkouts occurred in response to the
discriminatory treatment of Chicano students in the Los Angeles Unified School District
(LAUSD) and the lack of educational opportunities available to them. The protests began on
March 1, 1968, and lasted for several weeks, involving thousands of students across multiple
high schools in East Los Angeles. The walkouts were a significant moment in the Chicano civil
rights movement and brought attention to the need for greater educational opportunities for
Chicano students. In this essay, I will examine the events that led to the East LA
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They were attempting to accomplish better
resources, more Mexican-American teachers, and a more accurate and meaningful curriculum.
The students faced opposition from school officials and the Los Angeles police department, but ultimately their protests led to changes in the LAUSD.
Several individuals played a significant role in the East LA Walkouts, including Sal
Castro, a teacher who encouraged and supported the student protests, and Paula
Crisostomo, a student organizer who helped plan and coordinate the walkouts. These individuals
influenced the group by providing leadership and guidance and advocating for the rights of
Chicano students. They believed that education was a tool for empowerment and social change.
The East LA Walkouts were a response to institutional discrimination and prejudice
against Chicano students in the LAUSD. The Chicano students faced racism and marginalization,
which led to a lack of resources and opportunities for them. This event helps explain racial