New Communist Movement and Government Surveillance

The claim that Marxist groups within the Chicano Movement from 1971-1974 led to internal conflicts and fragmentation, hindering its progress.

A Marxist-Leninist organization that emerged from the Chicano Movement, emphasizing class struggle and revolutionary change.

Elizabeth “Betita” Martinez's critical view on the American Third World Liberation Front (ATM), arguing that their actions negatively impacted labor struggles, particularly in New Mexico.

Juan Gómez-Quiñones and Irene Vazquez's nuanced perspective on the American Third World Liberation Front (ATM), recognizing both its positive contributions to political consciousness and its problematic aspects.

The idea that the American Third World Liberation Front (ATM) served as a steppingstone for Chicano activists to engage in 1980s immigration activism.

The claim that the American Third World Liberation Front (ATM) was the first unique Marxist-Leninist group distinct from white New Left organizations.

The underrepresentation of the American Third World Liberation Front (ATM) in Latina/o scholarship and studies of leftist movements.

The League of Revolutionary Struggle (LRS), a multiracial Marxist-Leninist organization formed in 1978 from the merger of several groups, including the ATM.

The Church Committee's investigations revealed that the CIA and FBI engaged in illegal and unethical actions, often violating the rights of U.S. citizens.

The Church Committee's investigations uncovered that the FBI attempted to pressure Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. into suicide using blackmail.

President Gerald Ford, in response to the Church Committee's findings, introduced new guidelines aimed at regulating the FBI's internal activities.

After the Church Committee's investigation, the FBI significantly reduced its domestic investigations, demonstrating a shift in their focus.

The New Communist Movement was an extension of the New Left and student groups like the Students for a Democratic Society.

Activists involved in the New Communist Movement drew inspiration from writings on Latin American, Asian, and African liberation movements, as well as philosophies of Marx, Lenin, and Mao.

The FBI's historical surveillance practices had a lasting impact on the policies and mindset of activists in the 1980s, creating a sense of fear and suspicion.

The history of the ATM (Anti-Terrorist Movement) demonstrates that the FBI's history of surveillance had a lingering effect on activist communities.

A prominent Latinx/o organization deeply involved with immigrants and citizens, yet also dedicated to global Marxist solidarity and internationalist efforts.

An organization that aims to address the exploitation and oppression of people of color, particularly through a framework of Marxist principles and anti-imperialist struggle.

The act of discreetly watching and monitoring individuals or groups, often for security or intelligence purposes. In this context, the FBI intensely surveilled the ATM.

The collective belief systems and shared understanding within a group, often shaped by the group's experiences and interactions with the world.

The overarching storyline or path of an organization or movement, often influenced by various factors including internal dynamics, external pressures, and historical context.

The merging of different groups or organizations into a single, unified entity.

A gathering or meeting of representatives from different groups or factions to discuss and agree on a collective course of action.

The practice of making false accusations of subversion or treason, especially by using intimidation or smear tactics. It is often used to discredit and silence political opponents.

A US Congressional committee created in 1938 to investigate allegations of communist and fascist activities inside and outside the United States government. It used its power to root out perceived threats to American national security.

The practice of attacking someone or something by using prejudice against their ethnic origin, nationality, or language.

The practice of attacking someone or something based on their political views or association with radical or leftist groups.

Luisa Moreno was a prominent Guatemalan-born labor organizer and civil rights activist who was targeted by the HUAC for her activism and association with the Communist Party. Her case highlights how anti-communist and anti-foreign sentiments were intertwined in the pursuit of perceived threats to the American national security.

The Congreso de los Pueblos de Habla Española, or National Congress of Spanish-Speaking Peoples, was a social and political organization founded in 1939 by Luisa Moreno and others. It aimed to secure resources, better conditions, and protection for Spanish-speaking immigrants in the US.

El Centro de Acción Social Autónomo or Center for Autonomous Social Action was a Chicana/o movement organization aiming to empower the community by addressing important issues like police brutality, racial discrimination, labor rights, and housing.

The state regime, in the context of the U.S. in the early to mid-20th century, refers to the governmental apparatus and its policies. The term emphasizes the role of the state in implementing and upholding specific political, ideological, and social agendas, often through legal measures, which can be detrimental to individuals and groups perceived as threats to its interests.

The FBI used various tactics to monitor and gather information about the ATM, including analyzing organizational documents, flyers, and telephone directories.

The FBI specifically tracked ATM forums and meetings by analyzing their flyers and documents, using this information to pinpoint locations and dates.

The FBI documented and analyzed the phone numbers of ATM members from telephone directories in Oakland, using this information for potential future surveillance.

The FBI listened in on private phone calls, including one conversation which provided information about where the ATM planned to hold forums.

The FBI monitored the sale and distribution of ATM documents, which included identifying the location of printing and those involved in that activity.

The FBI documented the political affiliations of ATM members, finding that three were registered with the La Raza Unida party, while one was registered as a Democrat in San Francisco.

The FBI meticulously observed and documented articles published by the ATM, noting their references to Marxist theorists, such as Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin and Mao.

FBI documents revealed that several ATM members lived and engaged in activities at

A pamphlet written by the August 29th Movement outlining their revolutionary approach to the "Chicano National Question" based on a Marxist framework.

The August 29th Movement, a group advocating for Chicano self-determination, utilized Marxist-Leninist theory to guide their political actions and strategies.

The August 29th Movement was active in recruiting new members and spreading their political message through various means, including attending protests and organizing study groups.

Key to understanding the August 29th Movement were their discussions on the national question, analyzing the boundaries of the Chicano nation and its historical development.

The FBI actively monitored the August 29th Movement, tracking their meetings and activities, which were viewed as potential threats to national security.

The August 29th Movement, through its engagement with Marxist-Leninist ideologies, brought a new perspective to Chicano activism by intertwining it with broader national and international struggles.

Former ATM member Theresa Montaño joined the movement after experiencing its influence while studying at California State University, Los Angeles, highlighting the impact of study groups on recruitment.

A document that detailed a revolutionary approach to the Chicano national question, "Fan the Flames" also explored the influence of Marxist-Leninist theory on the August 29th Movement.

The August 29th Movement's revolutionary ideals and Marxist-Leninist approach contributed to the development of Chicano activism in the 1970s, demonstrating the impact of these ideas on political movements.

The August 29th Movement's focus on the "national question" led them to analyze the boundaries of the Chicano nation, including its historical development and its struggles with capitalism and imperialism.