Amplified Voice

Documentary tells tale of Mexican social justice activist

A A A Comments By Jose Gonzalez Thursday, Jan 20 2011

While watching the Ballad of an Unsung Hero, we’re struck by how social activist Pedro Gonzalez (no relation to this writer, by the way) would probably rip into the unholy Arpaio-Brewer-Pearce triumvirate if he hadn’t passed on at 99 years old in 1995.

More About

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

The 1984 documentary uses interviews with Gonzalez and his wife, archival film footage, and vintage sound recordings to follow his life from Chihuahua, Mexico, to folk hero-dom on both sides of the border. Once the telegraph operator for revolutionary Pancho Villa, Gonzalez eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1923, where his stint as a Spanish-language radioman, interrupted by a bum rap that landed him in San Quentin, gave him a voice to speak out about injustices against Mexicans.

Mon., Jan. 24, 1:30 p.m., 2011

Check out this week's featured ad for Arts

Utah College Of Massage Therapy

View Ad View Website

More Ads >>

Get the Events Newsletter

What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.