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"Francisco 'Kiko' Martinez Saga" by David Martinez, open letters and flyers,, 1982-1985.

 File — Box: 20, Folder: 10

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The Francisco E. "Kiko" Martínez Papers documents the state and federal court cases and defense committee activity relating to his indictment for allegedly mailing three letter bombs in Denver, Colorado in 1973. The papers also concern Martínez' activism in the Chicano Movement and his work for civil rights and prisoners rights in the U.S. and Latin America, as well as land issues in the San Luis Valley. The collection contains newspaper clippings, personal and business correspondence, memorabilia, photographs, posters, maps, periodicals, and video and cassette recordings relating to his legal defense, his career as an attorney, and his political activism. Published material in the collection includes newspapers, books, magazines, and journals. The collection is divided into twelve series.

State and Federal Court Cases: Contains records pertaining to Federal and State criminal charges brought against Martínez in the early 1970s and 1980s. Includes motions, hearings, investigations, and trial transcripts for cases related to the original federal bombing charges and the resulting Hogue mistrial, Two Wheeler acquittal, and Crider Dismissal. Also contains records of bombing charges brought by the State of Colorado and charges by the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service. Many of these records were obtained by Martínez and his defense committee through the Freedom of Information Act.

Francisco E. Martínez Defense Committee: The Francisco E. Martínez Defense Committee (FEMDC) was a community-based group in Alamosa, Colorado. Includes office correspondence, letters of support for Martínez, press releases, flyers and news clippings documenting the activities and fund-raising of the Committee. Additional materials pertain to social and fund-raising events a community-based group in Alamosa, Colorado.

Legal Office and Business Records: These records relate to Martínez' career as an attorney in Colorado. Includes materials relating to the Ricardo Falcón murder trial, Martínez' membership in the National Lawyers Guild, and other cases handled by the office.

Chicano Movement: Materials reflect Martínez' activism and role in the Chicano movement, including the Crusade for Justice. Some materials document reaction to the bombings that killed six Chicano activists in Boulder known as "Los Seis de Boulder."

San Luis Valley, Colorado: Documents land and water issues effecting Chicanos in Southern Colorado, including protests against the Taylor Ranch and the poaching sting against big game hunters known as Operation San Luis Valley.

Prison Reform/Political Prisoners:This small series contains information about a few specific cases relating to prisoner's rights.

Political/Social Movements: Includes materials relating to Latin America, Puerto Rican independence, and Native Americans. Also contains hearing of the U. S. Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, 1975.

Oversize Boxes: These large format materials include posters and maps. They are arranged topically according to the series listed above.

Publications: Includes Spanish and English language publications mostly from Colorado, Texas, California, and New Mexico. Newspapers are arranged topically according to the other series in the collection.

Audio-Visual Materials: These audio and video recordings contain interviews with Kiko Martínez, speeches by Martínez, as well as programs documenting his struggle. (Digitized June 2019)

Map Case Oversize Additional large format materials consisting mostly of maps and posters.

Miscellaneous Photographs: This series contains photographs of protests, trips, events, and people.

Dates

  • 1982-1985.

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 46 boxes (42.5 cu. ft. ) + 1 oversize folder

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451