El Congreso was established in 1973. We are a Chicanx/Latinx support group and political student organization. We are the official MEChA Chapter at UCSB. We are comprised of a general body and 16 associated committees, each specializing in a distinct area of El movimiento. El Congreso is committed to fighting against the diverse struggles that the Chicanx/Latinx community faces through education, political organizing, and direct action. We recognize that we are a diverse community of people, indigenous to these continents. The oppression that we as Chicanxs/Latinxs have endured since 1492 continues to affect our people must stop. We demand change and believe this can only occur through the efforts of people united in struggle.
A little history on us: In the year 1969, El Congreso arose out of two on-campus organizations: MEChA and La Raza Libre. Both of these organization shared similar philosophies, however they also shared political and personal conflict with one another. Arnulfo Casillas, a UCSB transfer at the time, suggested and insisted that these two organizations unite to form one. They both eventually agreed and were faced with the decision of choosing the ideal name for the newly combined organization. Some wanted the Organization to be called "La Raza Libre de MEChA" while others wanted it to be called "MEChA de la Raza Libre". After much debate, both parties agreed to give up both names and therefore came the creation of "El Congreso". We advocate a philosophy of liberation through self-determination, comunidad, and collectivity of our gente. We control and decide for ourselves the direction of our learning and the content of our education and advancement. Con Respeto y Cariño El Congreso de UC Santa Barbara |