Manny’s: Learning from History: Remembering Mexican Repatriation of the 1930s

The threats of mass deportation of American residents—-part of this year’s Presidential campaign—-is not a new concept for the U.S., particularly in California. During the Great Depression, so-called Mexican Repatriation efforts included the forced deportation of more than a million Mexican and Mexican-Americans, a period that devastated tens of thousands of California families and left lasting scars on communities throughout the State. Scholars estimate that more than half of those pushed out of the U.S. were American citizens, often the U.S.-born children of immigrants, It is the only occurrence of a forced deportation of citizens and non-citizens based on race and implemented through Presidential orders.

With the threat of mass deportations becoming part of normal political conversation, this history has never been more relevant. Thanks to new legislation pushed by two California State Senators, California is officially memorializing this dark chapter in American and California history.

Governor Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 537 authored by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzales (D-Long Beach) and Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park). With the 95th anniversary of the beginning of the forced repatriation – and the 20th anniversary of the passage of SB 670, California’s official apology for its role in repatriation— Senators Gonzalez and Becker have called for state of California to formally recognize the Mexican Repatriation with an immediate historical acknowledgement, educational awareness raising, and community healing and justice.

Please join us for an important program to learn this relevant history from experts in the field and to get an update on an official state memorial for Mexican Repatriation of the 1930s from the State Senators who pushed for the legislation.

Speakers

California State Senator Josh Becker (D – Menlo Park).

Senator Becker represents the residents of California’s 13th Senate District, which comprises most of San Mateo County and the northern part of Santa Clara County.

Kevin R. Johnson

Distinguished Professor of Law, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law and Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law, Professor of Chicana/o Studies, UC Davis

Moderator and additional speakers to be named shortly.