urn:taro:utexas.blac.00149 Manuel (Chaca) Ramírez Photographs, 1964-1982 Benson Latin American Collection University of Texas Libraries, 2006 Finding aid encoded by Christian Kelleher, CA, April 2006Finding aid written inEnglish. Descriptive Summary Ramírez, Manuel, 1947- Manuel (Chaca) Ramírez Photographs 1964-1982 English and Spanish 22870067 1,360 slides and 32 prints Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin Photographs and slides document Mexican American barrios, civil rights activities, including the Texas Farmworkers' march of 1977 and the East Austin Boat Race controversy, and Chicano arts and artists. Biographical Sketch

Photographer and civil rights activist Manuel (Chaca) Ramírez (1947-) was born in Laredo where he began his photographic career in the 1960s. Ramírez studied photojournalism at the University of Texas at Austin. In the late 1970s, he documented several examples of Chicano activism; in the 1980s, he recorded the work of Mexican American artists Amado Maurilio Peña, Jr. and Consuelo (Chelo) Gonzalez Amezcua.

 Scope and Contents Note

Collection consists of 875 images that document activities and environs of Mexican Americans in Texas. Photographs of Laredo, Texas, in the 1970's show people of Laredo in their surroundings, and the contrasts between poverty and luxury in the city. Slides document the Texas Farm Workers' march of 1977 for reform of labor laws in Texas and the United States, protest marches against police brutality, neighborhood activism in Austin, Texas, and a mural project by the League of United Chicano Artists (LUChA) in East Austin. 280 different slides and 41 photoprints show artist Amado Peña and his works; also included are two small reproductions of prints by Peña. 180 images document art works by Chelo González Amezcua. Accompanying materials include lists of slides giving place, date, and names of participants, or titles and dates for art works. Biographical information on Amado Peña and copies of magazine and newspaper articles are also included.

 Arrangement

Organized into seven series: 1. Laredo photographs, 1973-1975; 2. Texas Farm Workers' march, 1977; 3. Statewide march in memory of Jose Campos Torres, Austin, Texas, 1978; 4. East Austin boat race controversy, Austin, Texas, 1978; 5. LUChA mural project, Austin, Texas, 1977-1978; 6. Artist Amado Maurilio Pena and his works, 1966-1982; 7. Artist Consuelo (Chelo) Gonzalez Amezcua's works, 1964-1975. Original order as arranged by photographer.

 Access Restrictions

Unrestricted.

 Use Restrictions

Standard copyright restrictions apply. Copyright is held by the Ramírez estate.

 Preferred Citation

Cite as: Manuel (Chaca) Ramírez Photographs, Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas Libraries, the University of Texas at Austin.

 Index Terms

The Manuel (Chaca) Ramírez Photographs are classified under the following Subject Headings in the University of Texas Libraries' catalog:

Pena, Amado Maurilio, 1943- Texas Farm Workers Union. League of United Chicano Artists (Austin, Tex.) Laredo (Tex.)--Social conditions--Photographs. Mexican American agricultural laborers--Texas--Photographs. Mexican American art--Texas--Photographs. Mexican Americans--Texas--Laredo--Photographs. Mexican Americans--Texas--Austin--Photographs. Demonstrations--Texas--Austin--Photographs. Mural painting and decoration--20th century--Texas--Austin. Other Authors: Pena, Amado Maurilio, 1943- Gonzalez Amezcua, Consuelo, 1903-1975 Document Types: Photographs Slides (photographs) Box and Folder Inventory 1. Laredo Photographs, 1973-1975 1Prints, 1973-1975 [b/w mounted photographs, 27.9x35.5 cm]

Descriptions of the photographs were supplied by the Benson Collection's Mexican American Library Project staff in 1976.

 11Black and white photo of two young boys standing in a puddle of water in the street in front of a small house, 1973 12Baby with bottle in its mouth, in small plastic tub, placed in front of old door, 1974 13Young boy stepping onto rocks at water's edge, 1974 14Old man seated on stump in front of a pile of junk, wearing Stetson, 1974 15Young Chicano standing at street corner, wall sign reads "Chicano Power," 1975 16Three children, girl, boy, and toddler, 1974 17Young woman with child seated on block of wood, 1975 18Close-up of couple, 1975 19Young boy with grandmother[?] standing in doorway of ramshackle hut, 1973 110Woman and man at cafe counter, 1974 111Couple photographed near telephone booth, 1974 112Man and woman near white fence, 1974 113Group of young Chicanos at street corner, 1974 114Ceramic figurines, four of same mold: the typical peón, seated, arms resting on knees, shaded by large sombrero, 1974 115Outhouse, 1974 116View of participants attending a ball; three young women wearing festive ballroom gowns, 1975 117Participants at a ball, 1975 118Scene at a political rally[?], 1974 119Hospital scene: three women near young man lying on bed, 1975 120Funeral scene: close-up of woman in casket with wreath oand floral arrangements, 1975 121Close-up of grave markers, specifically those of Vietnam casualties, 1974 122Highway scene: "Stop Ahead" as seen from inside automobile, 1975 123Highway scene: "Stop", U.S. officers with vehicles as seen from inside approaching vehicle, 1975 124Close-up of "Stop" sign, U.S. officers with Border Patrol vehicle parked nearby, 1975 2"El Cuatro" Photographs, 1975

Note by the artist: "The photographs in this series were taken during the month of March 1975 in the southwest part of Laredo, Texas, en el barrio 'El Cuatro.' In photograph #1 the people living next to the Hilton, on the east side, refused to sell or move. Till this date, July 20, 1978, they still live there."

"El progreso no necesariamente indica el mejoramiento de la gente. Muchas veces es la desaparición de un barrio. La gente es nomas trasladada a otra parte de la ciudad--olvidada."

 21East side of the Hilton 22Street scene, one block west from the Hilton 23From the arroyo, two blocks north from the Hilton 24Three blocks northwest from the Hilton 25Two blocks southwest from the Hilton 26Two blocks southwest from the Hilton 27Two blocks southwest from the Hilton 28Children standing in front of their home two blocks west of the Hilton 2. Texas Farm Workers' March, 1977 3Texas Farmworkers March from San Juan, Texas, to Austin, Texas, February 26-April 4, 1977 311. Copyright notice. This slide must be shown first if slides are to be projected. 32. 400 mile route from San Juan, Texas, to Austin, Texas. February 26-April 4, 1977 33. First day of the march was cold and windy. San Juan, Texas, 26 February 34. Entering Donna, Texas, 26 February 35. Through downtown Weslaco, Texas, 26 February 36. On the road to Kingsville, Texas. Portable toilet attached to back of truck was used by the ladies on the open plain 37. Mayor of Kingsville greets marchers outside of Kingsville city limits, 5 March 38. Through downtown Kingsville, 5 March 39. Priest gives "la bendición" outside church in Corpus Christi, 12 March 310. Through downtown Corpus Christi, 12 March 311. State Representative Gonzalez and State Senator Truan with farmworkers in Corpus Christi, 12 March 312. Dr. [Hector P.] Garcia, founder of G.I. Forum, addresses rally in Corpus Christi. Antonio Orendain, leader of TFW march, looks on, 12 March 313. On the road to Gregory, Texas, 12 March 314. In Gregory, owner of small grocery store, with hand raised, offered cold soft drinks to the marchers, 13 March 315. Lady in the middle marched in the 1966 farmworkers march to Austin. On the way to Taft, Texas, 13 March 316. The sun was a constant companion throughout South Texas. Near Mathis, Texas, 14 March 317. Women would sleep in the back of a red truck that accompanied the march from San Juan 318. On to George West, Texas, early in the morning, 16 March 319. In George West, 16 March 320. Along the march route people from small communities would donate warm food. Between George West and Three Rivers, Texas, 17 March 3221. Señora Salaz resting, 17 March 322. Blisters: the result of walking 15 miles a day on the hot pavement, Señora Salaz, 17 March 323. Entering Three Rivers, Texas, 17 March 324. Early morning in park in Three Rivers, 18 March 325. Fields of Texas bluebonnets greeted the marchers along the way, 18 March 326. Entering Cambelton, Texas, 19 March 327. Orendain conferring with Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall in Austin as Estela Salinas and Joe Uriegas listen, 19 March 328. Near Pleasanton, Texas, 20 March 329. Entering Pleasanton, 20 March 330. Orendain and wife, Raquel, on the road to San Antonio, 20 March 331. Prayer given by Rev. Sostenes at end of day's march, 20 March 332. Men would sleep in a yellow bus that accompanied the march from San Juan, 21 March 333. Preparing breakfast before marching into San Antonio, 22 March 334. San Antonio can be seen in the distance, 22 March 335. Entering San Antonio city limits, 22 March 336. Marching through barrio near Mission Espada, San Antonio, 22 March 337. Marching into Mission Espada, 22 March 338. Doctor and nurses check marchers in Mission Espada, 22 March 339. Marching out of Mission Espada towards downtown San Antonio, 26 March 340. Near downtown San Antonio on the way to the Alamo, 26 March 3341. Arriving at the Alamo, 26 March 342. Rally at the Alamo. Lady from Detroit speaks, 26 March 343. Out of San Antonio on the way to Austin, 27 March 344. Father Peña offers a prayer at the end of the march for that day outside of San Antonio, 27 March 345. Eating on the road to Austin near Selma, Texas. There was no heat to warm food and no spoons. Noon, 28 March 346. Later that same day, in the evening, people from Selma prepared a big supper for the marchers at Martin Sada's ranch, 28 March 347. After supper, the marchers enjoyed themselves, 28 March 348. On the way to New Braunfels, 29 March 349. Resting by the side of the road, 29 March 350. The road seemed endless but it was closer to Austin, 29 March 351. Marchers eating under overpass south of San Marcos, 29 March 352. On the way to San Marcos, Texas, 29 March 353. Dr. Garcia greets marchers in San Marcos, 29 March 354. Nurse checks feet of Sra. Salaz in San Marcos, 29 March 355. Bishop Harris from the Austin Diocese welcomes the marchers, 30 March 356. A passerby contributes money to Orendain, 30 March 357. Marchers rest inside bus, 31 March 358. A family in Kyle invited the marchers for lunch, 31 March 359. Don Jose, 63 years old, was the oldest person on the march, 31 March 360. Last campout, early morning before marching into Austin, 1 April 3461. Last day of the march on the outskirts of Austin, 1 April 362. Singing on the march, 1 April 363. First graders from Zavala Elementary School in Austin join the march, 1 April 364. Austin city limits, 1 April 365. Marching to St. Edward's University where marchers stayed for three days, 1 April 366. Mariachis performed for the marchers on Saturday at St. Edward's University, 2 April 367. Rally in St. Edward's gym before marching to Capitol, 3 April 368. Leaving St. Edward's, 3 April 369. Marching down Congress Ave., 3 April 370. Approaching downtown Austin, 3 April 371. Representative Gonzalo Barrientos welcomes marchers, 3 April 372. Finally the Capitol seems near after marching 400 miles, 3 April 373. Last steps of the march, 3 April 374. Orendain speaks at the rally on the Capitol steps, 3 April 375. On the way to see Gov. Brisco, 4 April 376. Breakfast, coffee and sweet bread, being served at the Governor's Mansion, 4 April 377. Gov. Brisco and his wife talk with marchers, 4 April 378. Marchers talk with Miss Jurajda's first grade class at Zavala Elementary School in Austin, 4 April 379. Orendain testifies before Senate subcommittee hearing, 4 April 380. Don Jose and I [Ramírez] on the march, 18 March 1977 3Texas Farmworkers March from Austin, Texas, to Washington, D.C., June 18-September 5 (Labor Day), 1977 3581. Copyright notice. This slide must be shown first if slides are to be projected 382. With the Texas State Capitol in the background, the marchers proceed down Congress Ave. on their way to Washington, D.C., some 1,400 miles away, 18 June 1977 383. On the outskirts of Austin going towards Bastrop, 18 June 384. At the end of marching 20 miles the first day, a sister from San Antonio says a prayer, 18 June 385. At the end of the second day of the march, people from Smithville donated food, 19 June 386. Entering La Grange, Texas, early in the morning. The marchers would start walking as early as 5:00 AM, 21 June 387. Marching towards Houston, 24 June 388. Julio takes care of a blister from one of the marchers, 24 June 389. Marching into Houston, 25 June 390. Rally in Houston's Moody Park, 26 June 391. Marchers slept for several nights in a Beaumont, Texas, motel. The proprietor donated the space, 1 July 392. On the way towards the Louisiana state border near Orange, Texas, 2 July 393. Crossing the Sabine River by bus. The Texas-Louisiana border marker is in the distance, 2 July 394. Marching through Texas was like walking in your own backyard. The first day that marchers ventured outside of Texas, they were apprehensive. Marching into Vinton, La., 2 July 395. Marching into Lake Charles, La., 3 July 396. On July the 4th the marchers only walked about five miles. Don Jose and Don Claudio refresh their feet in Lake Charles, 4 July 397. On the road to Morgan City, La., 10 July 398. Don Claudio's feet demonstrate the rigors of the march. Patterson, Louisiana, 10 July 399. Passing a big tugboat by the side of the road. Outside Thibodaux, Louisiana, 12 July 3100. On the road to Raceland, La., 13 July 36101. Preparing for bed in Raceland, La. Mosquito netting was needed in Texas and Louisiana, 13 July 3102. On to New Orleans, Louisiana. Outside city limits, 14 July 3103. Jovita, L.V.N. on the march, attends to Ramon Mata who suffered from heatstroke, 14 July 3104. Crossing over the Mississippi River into New Orleans, 14 July 3105. The marchers were treated to breakfast by a priest from New Orleans, 15 July 3106. Marching by the French Quarter in New Orleans, 15 July 3107. Rally outside City Hall in New Orleans, 16 July 3108. On the way to Mississippi, crossing Lake Pontchartrain, 17 July 3109. In Mississippi, 17 July 3110. Rally in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 17 July 3111. First day marching into Mississippi, near Poplarville, 18 July 3112. Marchers were arrested by sheriff's deputies from Poplarville for obstructing traffic, 18 July 3113. Marchers pray outside the Poplarville courthouse and jail after being released. Toka, an American Indian, and myself [Ramírez], a Mexican American Indian, were jailed for two hours, 18 July 3114. On the way to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, it rained all day, 20 July 3115. In Hattiesburg a black civil rights worker gave the flag of Mississippi to the marchers, 20 July 3116. A nurse from Hattiesburg and a paramedic, Damon Hartley, from Detroit, Michigan, attend to the feet of Don Jose. His feet were infected and full of blisters, 21 July 3117. Alabama, 26 July 3118. Marching into Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Law officers were very cooperative, 29 July 3119. Marching by the School of Law on the University of Alabama campus, 29 July 3120. On the way to Birmingham, Alabama, 30 July 37121. Marching into downtown Birmingham, Alabama, 31 July 3122. Farmworkers attending mass in Birmingham, 1 August 3123. Marchers riding on the breen bus, "El Pepino." The bus would take the marchers from the point where they had left walking to the place where they would shower or sleep. The next day the bus would take them back. Birmingham, 2 August 3124. On the way to Atlanta, Georgia, 2 August 3125. Georgia 3126. Meeting in front of Martin Luther King grave in Atlanta, 6 August 3127. Marching in downtown Atlanta towards the State Capitol, 6 August 3128. Rally on the steps of the State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, 6 August 3129. At the city limits of Athens, Georgia, before marching into the city, 8 August 3130. Hipolito and family in Athens, Georgia. On this morning Hipolito's wife left for Washington, D.C., to have her baby, 9 August 3131. Looking over the map of Greenville, S.C., in a park near Hartwell Dam, 10 August 3132. Marching into Greenville, S.C. Grey bus, "El elefante," carried medicines and water, 11 August 3133. Marching into Spartansburg, S.C., 12 August 3134. Mule wagon in Spartansburg, S.C., 12 August 3135. Marching into Charlotte, N.C., 15 August 3136. Rally in Downtown Charlotte, N.C., 15 August 3137. Early morning sun on the way to Burlington, N.C., 20 August 3138. Rally at the State Capitol in Raleigh, N.C., 24 August 3139. Shining boots in the evening after showers and supper, Cary, N.C., 24 August 3140. Eating lunch outside South Hill, Virginia, 26 August 38141. Don Jose looking at a tobacco plant, South Hill, Virginia, 26 August 3142. Sleeping outside in South Hill, Virginia, 26 August 3143. The signs would indicate that Washington was getting closer. Petersburg 9 miles, Richmond 31 miles, Washington 138, 28 August 3144. Mass by the side of the road near Petersburg, Virginia, 28 August 3145. Passing by a tobacco company in Richmond, Virginia, 29 August 3146. Marchers passing by a mileage sign, 30 August 3147. Sostenes family portrait, Richmond, Virginia, 30 August 3148. Star Wars movie sign in Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1 September 3149. Getting closer to Washington, 3 September 3150. "Chuy" from Chicago sings for marchers outside Alexandria, 4 September 3151. Alexandria city limits, 4 September 3152. Washington 2 miles, 4 September 3153. Morning meeting before the march to the Capitol, 5 September 3154. Entering the District of Columbia, 5 September 3155. Marching towards the bridge over the Potomac River, 5 September 3156. Crossing the Potomac, 5 September 3157. Marching by the National Capitol, 5 September 3158. Marching by the White House, 5 September 3159. Sra. Martinez speaks at the rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial, 5 September 1977 3160. Me [Chaca Ramírez] outside Birmingham, Alabama 3. Statewide March in Memory of José Campos Torres, 1978 41-4Statewide March in Memory of José Campos Torres, 1978 [80 slides]

No item description is available for these photographs. They may be viewed at the Benson Collection.

 4. East Austin Boat Race Controversy, 1978

Note by the artist: "As a photojournalist I record on film the events that people make. For two years I followed the East Austin vs. Boat Race controversy.

The issue as I saw it was boat races on Town Lake and some neighborhood residents objecting to the noise, heavy traffic in their neighborhood and trash being left behind.

When the police precipitated a confrontation with a group of young protestors on Saturday, April 22, 1978, the boat race issue took on a new meaning. Older neighborhood residents as well a outside sympathizers joined the protest.

The boat races were finally cancelled in the summer of 1978 by the action of the city council.

 451-3. Racing boats of all shapes and colors from all over the country would come to Austin to participate in the annual event. 44-6. Thousands of people would congregate on the north side of Town Lake to watch the boat races. 47-8. After the races were over trash would litter the north side of Town Lake for several days. 49-14. Many city employees were required to bring the Town Lake area back to normal. 415. On one side of the fence stood the barrio residents who objected to the boat races. 416. On the other side stood the police who maintained order. 417. On April 2, 1977[?] a small protest took place on Town Lake. No incidents occured. 418. On April 22, 1978 a larger group of protestors headed toward Town Lake. 419. The police precipitated a confrontation over the issue of getting on the curb. 420. Many protestors were arrested. 4621. Police Chief Dyson is interviewed by the media after the arrest. 422. A meeting was held at the arrest side to plan another demonstration for the following day. Word had reached the barrio about the arrests and more people arrived. 423-27. On Sunday April 23, 1978, another demonstration was held and more barrio people became involved as well as outside sympathizers. 428-30. The police with flack jackets were in evidence but they kept their cool. 431. The late Father Joe from San Luis Rey Church talks to a demonstrator. 432. Demonstrators present their grievances to the traffic going north on IH-35. 433. Police set up a barrier to prevent demonstrators from getting to the highway. 434. There were tense moments but both sides kept cool. 435-36. East Town Lake Citizens hold a planning meeting before they go to present their case to the City Council. 437-38. La señora Muñoz in July 1978 pleads the case of the East Town Lake Citizens objections to the boat races before the City Council. 439. Barrio residents meet again in August to plan more demonstrations. 440. Lt. Vasquez of the APD discusses strategy with barrio residents over the coming demonstrations. 4741. Paul Hernandez of the Brown Berets points to the area of the demonstration. 442-44. Conjunto Aztlán plays for a benefit for the East Austin Lake Citizens at Raul's. 445-46. Protest signs ready for the demonstration August 12, 1978. 447-52. Protestors march through the barrio. 453-55. Moving closer to the site of the demonstration. 456-57. The police were in force on one side of the road leading to the boat races. 458. On the other side were the protestors. 459. Paul Hernandez is interviewed by the media. 460. The police keep an eye on the situation. 4861-63. Conjunto Aztlán plays at the site of the demonstration. 464. Sra. Muñoz gets ready for another demonstration on Sunday August 13, 1978. 465-66. Protestors march through the barrio informing the residents of the issues. 467. Neighborhood residents respond by showing posters on their houses. 468-71. The march continues through the barrio. 472-73. More show of support. 474. Getting close to the protest site in what would be the last demonstration against the boat races. 475-76. The demonstration site. 477. Police monitor from the East Town Late Citizens group shows his sign. 478. Conjunto Aztlán plays. 479. Hasta la victoria siempre! 480. It was a long hard fought battle in which the people won. 5. LUChA Mural Project, 1977-1978 49-12LUChA Mural Project, 1977-1978 [80 slides]

No item description is available for these photographs. They may be viewed at the Benson Collection.

 6. Artist Amado Maurilio Peña and Works, 1966-1982

All art work by Amado Peña has been copyrighted by the artist and may not be copied or duplicated without the written consent of the artist.

 5-6Artist Amado Maurilio Peña and Works, 1966-1982 [slides]

No item description is available for these photographs. They may be viewed at the Benson Collection.

 7. Artist Consuelo (Chelo) González Amezcua's Works, 1964-1975

All art work by Consuelo González Amezcua has been copyrighted by the artist and may not be copied or duplicated without the written consent of the artist.

 7-8Artist Consuelo (Chelo) González Amezcua's Works, 1964-1975 [slides]

No item description is available for these photographs. They may be viewed at the Benson Collection.