This City Belongs to You
This City Belongs to You
A HISTORY OF STUDENT ACTIVISM
IN GUATEMALA, 1944–1996
Heather Vrana
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS
University of California Press, one of the most distinguished university presses in the United States, enriches lives around the world by advancing scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Its activities are supported by the UC Press Foundation and by philanthropic contributions from individuals and institutions. For more information, visit www.ucpress.edu.
University of California Press
Oakland, California
© 2017 by The Regents of the University of California
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Vrana, Heather A., author.
Title: This city belongs to you : a history of student activism in Guatemala, 1944–1996 / Heather Vrana.
Description: Oakland, California : University of California Press, [2017] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017004051 (print) | LCCN 2017006970 (ebook) | ISBN 9780520292215 (cloth : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780520292222 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 9780520965720 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Student movements—Guatemala—History—20th century.
Classification: LCC LA453 .V73 2017 (print) | LCC LA453 (ebook) | DDC 378.1/981097281—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004051
Manufactured in the United States of America
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To every student who dreams of changing the world.
CONTENTS
Introduction: “Do Not Mess with Us!”
1 • The Republic of Students, 1942–1952
2 • Showcase for Democracy, 1953–1957
3 • A Manner of Feeling, 1958–1962
4 • Go Forth and Teach All, 1963–1977
5 • Combatants for the Common Cause, 1976–1978
6 • Student Nationalism without a Government, 1977–1980
Coda: “Ahí van los estudiantes!” 1980–Present
Notes
Bibliography
Index
ILLUSTRATIONS
MAPS
2.New Transit Plan for Downtown Guatemala City, 1952
FIGURES
1.Citizens gathered in front of the National Palace, October 20, 1944
4.Cover of the Boletín del CEUAGE, May 22, 1954
5.Carlos Castillo Armas visiting the new University City in September 1954
6.Front page of the No Nos Tientes, 1966
7.Juan Tecú comic depicting the development of a military officer. No Nos Tientes, 1969
8.“Go forth and learn from all . . .” Mural by Arnoldo Ramírez Amaya, 1973
9.The bloody symbol of the National Liberation Movement. Mural by Arnoldo Ramírez Amaya, 1973
10.Youth spray painting a wall with the slogan, “Student Who Listens, Organize and Fight”
11.“Guatemala ’78: Home of the World Championships of Assassinations”
12.Protestors confront National Police on La Sexta, August 3, 1978
13.National Police detain unknown people on La Sexta in Zone 1, Guatemala City, January 31, 1980
14.A scene of political violence in Zone 1, Guatemala City, ca. 1980
15.Mourners carry red carnations and process down La Sexta at the funeral for Oliverio Castañeda de León
16.Iduvina Hernández walks with a comrade at the funeral for a union leader from CAVISA, 1978
17.Funeral for the victims of the Spanish Embassy Fire, Guatemala City, February 1980
18.Memorial for victims of the Spanish Embassy Fire with Gregorio Yujá’s casket, Guatemala City, February 1980
19.Banner of the Asociación de Estudiantes de Humanidades (AEH) at a protest on International Workers’ Day, May 1, 1980
20.Flyer advertising a protest in front of the Guatemalan
