New Mexico Civil Rights and Justice: Tears in the Valleys
Ray John de Aragón
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Ray John de Aragón’s book New Mexico Civil Rights and Justice: Tears in the Valleys, published by The History Press, is a powerful and comprehensive account of the Hispanic and Native American communities’ enduring struggle for civil rights in New Mexico—an inspiring chronicle of those who stood up with courage and conviction for justice, dignity, and equality. Through meticulous research, de Aragón presents a well-documented and insightful account that honors the real-life struggles and achievements of individuals and communities who refused to remain silent in the face of systemic discrimination and marginalization.
As a former member of the Alianza Federal de Mercedes, led by Reies López Tijerina, de Aragón brings a unique insider perspective to the Hispanic community’s fight for social justice in New Mexico. He highlights New Mexico’s rich civil rights legacy, tracing it from the mid-19th century through the late 20th century. He presents early figures who laid the groundwork for justice and follows the movement through pivotal moments and leaders who advanced the cause. His intimate connection to the land and its people shines through every chapter, giving the book a personal yet scholarly tone. Among the most compelling figures featured is Reies López Tijerina, whose leadership in the Alianza Federal de Mercedes and the 1967 Tierra Amarilla Courthouse Raid brought national attention to the issue of land grants promised under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. De Aragón also honors earlier leaders like Padre Antonio José Martínez, the 19th-century priest from Taos who defended education and Indigenous rights during U.S. expansion, and the Las Gorras Blancas, a 19th-century group of land defenders who fought against the encroachment of Anglo-American settlers and the loss of communal lands. By including these figures and others, the author shows how resistance in New Mexico spans generations and is rooted in deeply held values of justice and community. |
In the final pages, de Aragón leaves readers with a stirring reminder of the unrelenting spirit behind these movements. “In New Mexico and the rest of the country,” he writes, “civil rights and justice leaders did not rest. They did not take the easy way out of inactivity, relaxation or sleep.” John wants readers to know that the fight for justice was not passive—it was a conscious, ongoing effort marked by sacrifice, persistence, and unwavering dedication. New Mexico Civil Rights and Justice: Tears in the Valleys is a work that should be read and studied in academic institutions across New Mexico and throughout the country for its valuable contribution to the understanding of civil rights history in America.
Author Ray John de Aragón joined La Alianza Federal de las Mercedes in May 1967. The group fought for the rights of Native Americans who had lost their ancestral lands and attempted to have millions of acres of Spanish/Mexican land grants returned to their rightful owners and heirs. De Aragón remains actively involved with issues that affect downtrodden people and prolifically writes on these subjects. He is a recognized historian and scholar of New Mexico and professor of southwest history.
New Mexico Civil Rights and Justice: Tears in the Valleys is a publication by History Press.
Author Ray John de Aragón joined La Alianza Federal de las Mercedes in May 1967. The group fought for the rights of Native Americans who had lost their ancestral lands and attempted to have millions of acres of Spanish/Mexican land grants returned to their rightful owners and heirs. De Aragón remains actively involved with issues that affect downtrodden people and prolifically writes on these subjects. He is a recognized historian and scholar of New Mexico and professor of southwest history.
New Mexico Civil Rights and Justice: Tears in the Valleys is a publication by History Press.
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