A Movimiento is a pursuit of greater gains by individuals united loyally with one another, focused not upon the status quo but instead striving to bring about respect and equality in an environment that fosters ignorance. The energy to lead the Movimiento stems from the creative consciousness of Estudiantes, driven not by self-righteous motives but by the firm belief that united as an organization the interests of the greater Chicano community can be fulfilled. The spirit that guides these Estudiantes Chicanos is rooted in their past, their homes, their heart, Aztlán. The spirit that gave their ancestors life, the spirit that thrived in the soul of the Mexica, is the same spirit that gives the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán strength to succeed and endure.           (MEChA de Yale University)

                    MEChA de USC

Local MEChA Links: MECHA DE VALLEY, CSUN, MISSION, UCLA, USC, LOYOLA,   SANTA MONICA, PASADENA, CAL STATE LA, and every high school in the SFV, et. al.: 2001

Purpose of MEChA
Each word in M.E.Ch.A. symbolizes something. MOVIMIENTO, means that the organization is dedicated to the movement to gain self-determination for their people. ESTUDIANTIL, identifies the organization as a student group for we are part of our Raza's future. At the heart of the name is the word CHICANO. At first seen as negative, now is taken as a badge of pride. In adopting their new identity, the students committed themselves to return to the barrios, colonias, or campos and together, struggle against the forces that keep our people oppressed. Lastly, the students affirmed that they were from AZTLAN, the legendary birthplace of the Aztecs, which reputedly is today's Southwest.

M.E.Ch.A. originated in the Southwest but quickly spread throughout the United States. M.E.Ch.A.'s primary role in the Chicano movement are:

1. To increase the number of Chicano students in higher education and to ensure that all necessary assistance is offered for successful completion.
2. To take part in the direction of the movement towards Chicano self-determination or control over one's destiny.
3. To socialize and politicize Chicano students on their particular campus, to the ideals of the movement.
4. To establish close working relations in the barrios, assisting in all that has to be done to reach justice and equality for our people.
5. To educate and mobilize barrio youth towards self-determination and not self-destruction.

Mexika Art Azteka,  Maya, & Inca Gente, Arise and take up the call to once again look to the future, by honoring our past and acknowledging our "Roots", in the First Nations of Aztlan, dating(1500 BC). 16th Century Azteka Kings: MEChA de Cal State L.A.