History of formation of RUP
The predecessor of the RUP is MAYO, which is by reputation the most powerful Mexican militant group in Texas from 1967 to 1972 (Navarro 24). The MAYO organization was founded in San Antonio, where a significant majority of the Mexican population were deprived and impoverished. The organization was established by five Chicano student activists at St.Mary’s, a liberal arts college in San Antonio. MAYO became increasingly popular due to its “cultural nationalist orientation and its student and barrio youth consistency” (Navarro 25). They were focused on educational and social issues as opposed to building a strong political party. The goals of education reform (their main goal) was to include support for bilingual education, the employment of Mexicano teachers and administrators, introduction of Chicano studies courses in the classroom, and the end of chastisement of students for speaking Spanish in school (Navarro 25). During MAYO’s first national meeting, suggestions were made for MAYO to engage in political strategies. This was the start for the eventual formation of the RUP.
