Gloria Arellanes - Statement of the 50th Chicano Moratorium Committee on the loss of Co-chair Emeritus

Gloria Arellanes and friends

With heavy hearts and thoughts of appreciation, we share the journey to the ancestors of our long time Adelita in struggle, Grandma Gloria Arellanes, who has transcended beyond to the spiritual world on the eve of celebrating International Indigenous Day 2024.

Gloria’s family has offered this message; “She was an amazing mother, grandmother, auntie, sister, and friend. Forever a fighter, she loved the underdog, she could not stand injustice and was the person you wanted in your corner when things needed to be done. Her story is one that many know, and our ask is that you remember her actions, her kindness, her fire, and her love.”

From the days of her high school experience Gloria helped lead the E.L.A. “Blow outs” in 1968, a mass movement for student rights and better relations in education, becoming an original member of the Brown Berets and encouraged equity for women by founding Las Adelitas de Aztlan, and, organized the first E.L.A. Barrio Free Clinic (1969), while leading the anti-war protests as an original member of the first Chicano Moratorium Committee. Her spiritual energy led her to become an activist in the indigenous rights movement, particularly supporting and advocating for her Tongva Tribe and all other indigenous groups in the Americas.

In 2020, upon the anniversary and formation of the 50th Chicano Moratorium Committee celebrating the August 29, 1970 E.L.A. anti-war actions, she joined with Rosalio Munoz and many veterans of the Chicano Civil Rights movement as Co-chairpersons emeritus on the 50th CMC in Los Angeles. Her anti-war leadership was vital in moving Las Adelitas de Aztlan in the February 1970 moratorium, uniting youth and women against the violence in Vietnam, and for a peaceful resolution for young people by directing them into education.

Gloria committed to continue as an elder mentor, and promoter of peace with resolution, as featured during our annual commemoration this August 31, 2024, at E.L.A.C. in a video presentation with a land acknowledgement to introduce our program. This year the 50th CMC established the first educational scholarship program in the name of our 50th CMC, honoring Gloria Arellanes, and, Chicano Journalist Ruben Salazar, in partnership with the ELAC Scholarship Foundation to be launched in Spring 2025.

Gloria Arellanes will be remembered for many generations in spirit, Gloria presente!

Las Adelitas de Aztlan