Pedro J. González

Pedro J. González (April 28, 1895 – March 17, 1995) was a Mexican activist, singer, songwriter, guitarist and radio personality. He hosted one of the first Spanish radio broadcasts in California and in the U.S. Through his popular broadcasts, González had strong political influence in the Hispanic community in Los Angeles, which he used to advocate against the mass repatriation of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the U.S. under Herbert Hoover. González also came to be known for his band, Los Madrugadores, whose songs were played on his radio broadcast.

González would be imprisoned under false charges due to this political influence, his court case politicizing the Mexican and Mexican American community on the issue of discriminatory law-enforcement practices. Despite the attempt to silence him, González was able to achieve prison reform by organizing the first major strike at San Quentin State Prison. After being released from prison on the condition that he be repatriated, he and his wife settled in Tijuana, Mexico where he actively advocated for the land rights of veterans of the Mexican Revolution and started another radio broadcast show. Once he was given access back to the U.S., he moved closer to his family with his wife in California and advocated for Mexican and Mexican American rights in the U.S. until his death at age 99. Provided by Wikipedia