Running by Luis Rodriguez Cause and Effect

¶ … Running by Luis Rodriguez

Cause and Effect as Found in Always Running La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A.

A by Luis Rodriguez

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction" Sir Isaac Newton once wrote. Such is the case in the life of author Luis Rodriguez. The short essay found on pages 160-164 of his book, Always Running, describes the unjust imprisonment (effect) Rodriguez faced following his participation in the "Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam War" protest of August 29th, 1970. (cause) (p.160)

Before discussing the effects of his actions, it is important to know the reasons behind his behavior. Rodriguez wanted to attend the march because he was interested in being a part of a cause greater than he was.

The Vietnam War was going on. Many Hispanics were opposed to the war because of the large numbers of Hispanic casualties overseas. The number of Hispanics dying was not in proportion to the amount of Hispanics found in American society at that time. (p. 160) Rodriguez wanted to show his support of the anti-war movement, and his commitment to the Hispanic brotherhood, La Raza (p.160) so he attended the rally.

At first, Rodriguez went along with the crowd, shouting slogans and walking along. Then some of the younger members of the protest started fighting the police assigned to control the crowd. Many even "threw bottles at the police squad cars smashing windshields." (p. 161) This did nothing but create a tense situation between the police and the marchers.

The crowd then gathered at a park and began listening to speeches. Next, the police tried to end the rally by moving through the crowd asking people to leave. This is when Rodriguez decided to make his stand for his "cause," and face the penalty for his actions.

A police officer shouted at Rodriguez to move (maybe assuming he was one of the trouble making teenagers). Rodriguez, filled with pride for himself and at the gathering of his people united for a common cause refused, saying: "This is my park." (p. 161) As a result of this simple statement, the brutality of the police towards Rodriguez and his fellow protesters began.

The police slammed Rodriguez into the ground hitting him with their clubs, injuring him. (p. 162) Tear gas exploded and the police began beating and arresting people. (p. 162) Rodriguez was put into a squad car and taking to a holding cell at the East L.A. jail. He was then taken to the Los Angeles County Jail, moved to juvenile hall and then back to the L.A. County Jail. The police even sprayed mace into the windows of his bus. (p. 162) Rodriguez was suddenly an instigator (participant) in the so-called "East L.A. riot" (p. 163)

Rodriguez was forced to stay on "murders row" with the hard-core adult male prisoners even though he was just a teenager. One murderer even threatened his life. (p. 163) Interestingly, as a result of his imprisonment, Rodriguez was able to find a sense of belonging to a larger community while in prison as well.

He bonded with other minority inmates against the special treatment given to fellow inmate Charles Manson and was able to protest the murder of a leader in the Chicano community at the hands of the police. His family, after much difficulty, located him and after many days of confusion he was released. (p. 164)