[Rudy Lozano] (2024 Preservation Print)
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This loosely constructed documentary footage captures Chicago’s response to the murder of Mexican American labor rights activist Rudy Lozano. The rising political star had worked to build a coalition between Chicago’s Black and Hispanic communities during the 1983 mayoral election that brought Chicago’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington, to power. Lozano narrowly lost his own race for alderman in his home neighborhood of Pilsen, but had just been enlisted by Washington as his liaison to the Latino community when he was shot to death in his home on June 8, 1983.
Credits
Bill Stamets (filmmaker); Harold Washington (participant); Robert Lucas (participant); Jesús "Chuy" García (participant); Juan Velázquez (participant); Charles Hayes (participant); Nina Burman (participant)
Complete catalog record
Cfa collection: Bill Stamets Collection
Notes: The film begins at the 1983 Bud Billiken Parade in Bronzeville, where Mayor Washington marches with Lozano’s campaign manager (and future Illinois Congressman) Jesús “Chuy” García and fellow activist Juan “Mama” Velázquez, who carry a Mexican flag with photos of Lozano attached to it.; The second half of the film focuses on Lozano’s funeral on June 13, 1983 at St. Pius Catholic Church at 1919 S. Ashland Ave in Pilsen. Many of Chicago’s political leaders are in attendance, including Washington, civil rights activist Robert Lucas, and Congressman Charles Hayes. Lozano's wife, Guadalupe, and son, Rudy Jr., are seen leaving the service. Two thousand mourners are seen marching on 26th Street in Little Village, holding banners of Lozano’s face along with signs declaring that the activist’s work will continue.
Subjects: Political Activists; Politics and government; Parades and processions; Politicians; Funeral rites and ceremonies; Demonstrations; Mexican Americans; Death
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Lower West Side; North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Douglas; North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Washington Park; North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > South Lawndale
Film notes: This 16mm preservation print was made from the Super-8 original in 2024, thanks to a Basic Preservation Grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation.
Cfa elements: Preservation print, 561 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/41118
Notes: The film begins at the 1983 Bud Billiken Parade in Bronzeville, where Mayor Washington marches with Lozano’s campaign manager (and future Illinois Congressman) Jesús “Chuy” García and fellow activist Juan “Mama” Velázquez, who carry a Mexican flag with photos of Lozano attached to it.; The second half of the film focuses on Lozano’s funeral on June 13, 1983 at St. Pius Catholic Church at 1919 S. Ashland Ave in Pilsen. Many of Chicago’s political leaders are in attendance, including Washington, civil rights activist Robert Lucas, and Congressman Charles Hayes. Lozano's wife, Guadalupe, and son, Rudy Jr., are seen leaving the service. Two thousand mourners are seen marching on 26th Street in Little Village, holding banners of Lozano’s face along with signs declaring that the activist’s work will continue.
Subjects: Political Activists; Politics and government; Parades and processions; Politicians; Funeral rites and ceremonies; Demonstrations; Mexican Americans; Death
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Lower West Side; North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Douglas; North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Washington Park; North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > South Lawndale
Film notes: This 16mm preservation print was made from the Super-8 original in 2024, thanks to a Basic Preservation Grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation.
Cfa elements: Preservation print, 561 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/41118
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, creator, format, color, sound, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:08