Protests, Doctor Loco, Latino Representation
Welcome to the Daily Chela Newsletter. The #1 newsletter for Mexican American voices, news, and culture in the country.
What’s New This Morning?
Politics: Won’t Intervene?
Music: RIP Dr. Loco
Movies: Protest Letter
More: Stories, Podcasts, Links
Trump Says Feds Won’t Intervene In Democratic Cities Protests🚨
President Trump announced that federal authorities will not step into protests in Democratic-led cities unless local officials explicitly request help, directing DHS and Homeland Security to instead focus on protecting federal buildings and personnel, a sharp pivot amid escalating clashes over immigration enforcement.
Trump’s public remarks, shared on his social platform, also urged ICE and Border Patrol to defend themselves and government property aggressively if faced with violence.
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Chicano Cultural Icon Dr. Loco Dies At 84
José “Dr. Loco” Cuéllar, a beloved Chicano scholar, musician, and cultural ambassador, has died at age 84, leaving behind a legacy that blended academic work with vibrant musical expression.
Best known for leading Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band, his career spanned decades rooted in community, culture, and celebration. Cuéllar’s impact expanded beyond performance: as an anthropologist and educator, he documented Chicano culture and mentored generations of students while his band became a staple at Bay Area events and rallies.
Mexican-American Dreamer Julissa Arce Wins Prestigious Literary Award
Writer and former finance executive Julissa Arce, who came to the United States from Mexico as a child, has won the Luis Leal Literary Award in recognition of her contributions to literature and her powerful voice as a Mexican-American author.
Arce’s work often explores themes of immigration, identity, and resilience, drawing on her own life experiences to give depth and nuance to contemporary American storytelling.
Latino Creatives Fire Off Open Letter To Hollywood Over Representation
More than 100 Latino actors, artists, and creators, including Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo, Xochitl Gomez, Jessica Alba, and others, have signed an open letter urging Hollywood to address systemic underrepresentation and inequity in casting and storytelling.
The letter was sparked by a backlash to Odessa A’zion’s casting in the A24 film Deep Cuts, where she was initially cast as a character of Mexican heritage before stepping away amid criticism.
Judge Rejects Minnesota Bid To End Immigration Enforcement Surge
A federal judge in Minnesota declined a request from state and local officials to immediately halt the Trump administration’s large-scale immigration enforcement surge, allowing Operation Metro Surge to continue as legal challenges unfold.
Critics argue the deployment of thousands of federal agents threatens state sovereignty and has sparked protests after fatal shootings, but the judge said there wasn’t a sufficient legal basis to suspend the operation before full consideration of the lawsuit.
Remembering East L.A. Chicano Band “Tango”
Before Tango was a signed band on A&M Records, before the sharper political edge of songs like “I’m Brown,” Mark had already written eight original recordings in 1972. These early works, crafted with the same circle of friends who later helped give Tango its signature sound, reveal an artist wrestling with identity, personal contradictions, and the full spectrum of human feeling.
“I’m Human,” the third track on side one, comes directly out of this era—and it feels like a conceptual prelude to the self-definition and cultural assertion that explodes in “I’m Brown” two songs later.
Grab American Homeboy On Blu-Ray & DVD
We’re excited to announce a new limited edition release of American Homeboy on Blu-Ray and DVD. As a Daily Chela reader, we’re giving you an exclusive subscriber discount to grab your copy. Save 10% on your entire order! Enter subscriber code: HOMEBOYGIFT
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Incredible tribute to Dr. Loco. The idea of someone being both an anthropologist documenting culture and a musician activley living it feels rare these days. I think that dual role is what made his work so authentic, he wasnt just observing Chicano culture from the outside but helping shape it through performance and mentorship.