1. Involvement of Los Seis in Student Groups

2. Prior to the Car Bombings

3. First Bombing

4. Second Bombing

5. Investigation Following the Events

6. In Art and Media

7. References

Los Seis de Boulder ({{lang-en|link=no|The Boulder Six}}), named so posthumously, were six Mexican American (or Chicano/a) activists that were killed following two consecutive car bombings in the city of Boulder, Colorado at the end of May, 1974.^[1]

Involvement of Los Seis in Student Groups

Los Seis were active in the UMAS (United Mexican American Students) at the University of Colorado, Boulder. At the time between 1967-1979, Colorado was one of less than 10 U.S. states in which Chicanos were initiating the original MECha groups. As of 2012, there are over 500 chapters.^[2] Although these groups originally concentrated more on education issues, this led to participation in political campaigns and protests against widespread issues such as police brutality and the U.S. war in Southeast Asia.^[3] Outside of Colorado, the Brown Berets, a Chicano youth group which began in California, took on a more militant and nationalistic ideology.^[4] At the University of Colorado Boulder today, UMAS and MEChA have combined into a single coalition simply referred to as "UMAS y MEXA".^[5]

Prior to the Car Bombings

The University of Maryland's GTD (Global Terrorism Database) has information on other Boulder, Colorado bombings in 1974 suspected to involve the same "Chicano activists," and that "The explosions came during a time of racial tensions in Colorado, especially in Denver and Boulder, where at least 10 bombings had occurred within the last year, primarily directed at public buildings such as schools, police stations, and courthouses."^[6] 2 months prior to the deaths of "Los Seis", in March of 1974 a Boulder police station was bombed. There were no causalities, though $8,000 worth of damage was caused.^[7] Minutes later on the same day, the courthouse was bombed.^[8]

First Bombing

In an article written for the Daily Camera, librarian and local historian Carol Taylor states that the first bombing took place May 27 of 1974, and

Second Bombing

Investigation Following the Events

Due to the politicized nature of the activists work as members of UMAS and MEChA, focusing on fighting for Mexican American student rights at the University of Colorado Boulder as well as other institutions of higher education throughout the state^[11], conspiratorial foul play has also been suspected as claimed by some involved in the Chicano community at that time.^[12]

The crimes have not yet been solved, with the FBI and police blaming the students^[13] and the active COINTELPRO program at the time being a primary basis for speculation of government involvement.^[14]

Priscilla Falcon, professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Northern Colorado^[15], said in relation to the deaths of Los Seis “After that, many people became fearful that they could be the next target of the government,” and “So there were peaks and valleys in the movement. If you’re looking at the activism among the student population, I would definitely say that a peak was 1970, with the Chicano moratorium in California, where 3,000 folks came, and after that I think we entered into a repressive period where there was a lot of COINTELPRO stuff going on.”^[16]

In Art and Media

Documentary films and live performances have featured the subject, including 2014's Symbols of Resistance^[17] and a 2017 entirely dedicated to the subject, "Neva Romero: Jamas Olvidados" by director Nicole Esquibel.^[18]

On May 31 of 2014, Su Teatro, located in Denver's Art District on Sante Fe, which on its website claims it "has established a national reputation for homegrown productions that speak to the history and experience of Chicanos."^[19], hosted a 40th anniversary event commemorating the death of Los Seis. ^[20]

References

• Frank Stulen
• Frank Subotka
• Frank Sullivan (basketball coach)
• Frank Sullivan (disambiguation)
• Frank Sullivan (film editing)
• Frank Sullivan (ice hockey, born 1929)
• Frank Sully
• Frank Summers
• Franks v. Delaware
• Frank S. Walsh
• Frank swart
• Frank Swart
• Frank S. Welsh
• Frank S. Wiborg
• Frank Sydney Greenop
• Frank Szymanski
• Frank Séchehaye
• Frank S. “Hap” Farley
• Frank Talk
• Frank Tammariello
• Frank-Tamm formula
• Frank Tate (disambiguation)
• Frank Tatum
• Frank Taylor (British European Airways Flight 609)
• Frank Taylor Cable