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‘Corky’ Gonzalez remembered as liberation fighter

Published Apr 20, 2005 4:19 PM

On April 17, some 2,000 family members, friends, supporters and acti vists marched from Escuela Tlatelolco in remem brance of Rudolfo “Corky” Gonzalez, founder of the school, who had died on April 13. The 76-year-old had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and renal disease.


‘Corky’ Gonzalez

The march ended at Curtis Park near down town Denver. At the park, there were traditional Aztec dancers, music and other performances to celebrate the life of the activist who, in the 1960s, after having split from the Democratic Party, began the Cru sade for Justice, an organization whose building was attacked in 1973 by Denver police. In the pitched battle that followed, the upper floor of the building was torn apart by a blast that many attribute to the police.

“Corky” Gonzalez was a boxer in his earlier life who became a fighter for justice and the liberation of Chicanos and all people of color. He began to realize that a capitalist party like the Democratic Party would not and could not truly advocate for people of color.

In his poem “I am Joaquin,” which states emphatically “I shall endure! I will endure!,” he blends together the many aspects of being from Mexico, of trying to hold on to those roots and culture in a country that sought and still seeks to strip people of color of pride in their history and culture. In doing so, the essence of a people’s struggle is lost, and without knowing what is capable, mounting a further struggle for liberation is extremely difficult.

In his active life, “Corky” Gonzalez understood the importance of the culture of Mexican people in resisting racism. The school Escuela Tlatelolco was opened because of the failure of Denver schools to educate Chicano students and to instruct them in both Spanish and English.

He also linked up with Cesar Chavez and leaders of the Black struggle, fought against police brutality and protested the Vietnam War, and in 1968 led Chicanos in the Poor People’s March on Washington.