|
SOHO Supports Chicano Park National Historic Landmark Designation
January 2017
SOHO extends a big thank you to Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51), who introduced the Chicano Park Preservation Act (H. R. 3711) in the House of Representatives last year. This bill mandates a thorough study of the park, which is currently listed on the National Register, to evaluate its significance to qualify as a National Historic Landmark. Read the nomination HERE. The House passed the Chicano Park bill by unanimous consent in November 2016, and it moved to the Senate in early December.
Chicano Park began in the 1970s with a large group of residents boycotting the construction of a highway patrol station beneath the Coronado Bridge. Designated as an official historic site by the City's Historical Resources Board in 1980, the park became a National Register site rather recently in 2013. Several of the same residents who were involved in the 1970s and 2013 came together again to initiate the bill introduced by Representative Vargas.
As a strong advocate for this worthwhile congressional effort, SOHO sent a support letter to Representative Vargas and we encourage others to do the same. SOHO's letter states that Chicano Park is a nationally significant site, composed of a collection of properties. Together, they represent the ongoing political process to accept and respect Latino Americans. This letter also highlights information from the historical context Latinos in Twentieth Century California and calls out the specific reference to muralism in Chicano Park (pg. 59). Painted over decades by mostly local artists, the internationally renowned murals represent Chicano history, heroes, politics, and culture.
Latinos made and continue to make substantial contributions to the nation's growth, development, and culture despite a history of widespread discrimination and segregation that continues to drive the fight for equality and inclusion. The existence and integrity of Chicano Park illustrate Latinos' struggle for social acceptance and recognition as equals.
Please help support this National Landmark designation by sending letters to:
U.S. House of Representative Juan Vargas
1605 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
|
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
|
