Alianza Federal de Mercedes facts for kids

The Alianza Federal de Mercedes, also known as the Federal Land Grant Alliance, was a group in New Mexico during the 1960s. It was led by Reies Tijerina. The Alianza worked to help Hispanic families in New Mexico get back land that they believed was rightfully theirs.

This group had smaller branches in places like Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico and San Luis, Colorado. Many Hispanic families had lived in these areas of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado for hundreds of years. After the Mexican–American War, the United States Congress made a promise in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This promise said that people living in the New Mexico Territory would keep their land rights when the land became part of the U.S. However, by the 1960s, many families, including traditional shepherds, had lost their land. This land often went to large cattle ranches or the United States Forest Service.

The Alianza Federal de Mercedes had a famous saying: Justice is Our Creed and the Land is Our Heritage.

What Was the Alianza Federal de Mercedes?

The Alianza Federal de Mercedes was a group formed to help people reclaim their land. Many families in New Mexico had lived on their land for generations. They believed they had legal rights to this land. However, over time, much of this land was taken away. The Alianza wanted to fix this problem.

Why Did People Lose Their Land?

After the Mexican–American War, the U.S. government took control of new territories, including New Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed to end the war. This treaty was supposed to protect the land rights of the people already living there. But many people did not understand the new U.S. laws. Some were tricked into selling their land. Others simply lost their land to new settlers or the government. The Alianza believed these land losses were unfair.

What Was the Tierra Amarilla Incident?

The Tierra Amarilla incident was a major event involving the Alianza. It happened on June 5, 1967, in a small town called Tierra Amarilla. This event brought a lot of attention to the Alianza's cause.

What Happened Before the Incident?

Before the incident, the Alianza planned a big meeting. The District Attorney of Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, Alfonso Sanchez, tried to stop it. He announced on the radio that the meeting was against the law. He said that anyone who attended would be arrested.

The night before the meeting, police cars drove through the small towns. They went to the homes of Alianza members. Police knocked on doors and arrested nine members. They were put in jail.

What Happened During the Incident?

Two days after the arrests, the Alianza got a legal paper to arrest District Attorney Alfonso Sanchez. A group of armed Alianza members went to the courthouse in Tierra Amarilla. They wanted to make a citizen's arrest of Sanchez.

During the event, shots were fired, and two people were hurt. The group held the courthouse for about two hours. They searched the building, but the District Attorney was not there.

The Governor of New Mexico, David Cargo, called in the United States National Guard. The National Guard arrived with armored tanks. While the Alianza members were hiding, the National Guard held many of their family members. This incident was reported all over the country. It made many people aware of the Alianza's fight for land rights.