Access to this collection is generously supported by Haynes Foundation funds. Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. Pedro J. Gonzalez had an important role in Mexican-American music of the twentieth century, as both a performer and, to a greater extent, a popularizer of the style. He had a radio program to promote his music and had also used his program to advocate social justice for Spanish speakers in Southern California, and to protest the deportation of hundreds of thousands of such people from the United States. Gonzalez was earlier convicted for raping 15 year old Aphrodite Versus, a ruling he challenged on the grounds that he was convicted on perjured testimony. In Los Angeles, the young victim said she had lied because the city officials had promised to keep her out of reform school if she accused Pedro. The judge refused to admit her affidavit. The earlier ruling was upheld and he was sentenced to 1-50 years after his plea for probation was denied on Nov. 7, 1935. In prison, Pedro served as a translator and de facto liaison helping fellow Spanish speaking inmates and was instrumental in a hunger strike that led to the reforms in theCalifornia penal system. Pedro J. Gonzalez defense committees sprung up throughout the Southwest and northern Mexico. Pedro's family, fans, and the Mexican consul in Los Angeles worked tirelessly on his behalf until finally in 1940, he was released from prison on the condition that he be deported from the United States. The attorney Anna Zacsek had had a former career as a film actress under the name Olga Grey. She had immigrated to the United States from Budapest in her teens. Pedro Gonzalez (1895-1991), 40 year old radio announcer in a Main St. theater and his attorney, Anna Zacsec, in a courtroom. Refer to article: "Hearing Scheduled on Perjury Charge," Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 1935: A10. Text from negative sleeve: 1620 - Aug 22 1935; L to R - Pedro Gonzales [sic]. Anna Zocesc [sic]. atty 8/16/35; Pedro Gonzales [sic] was convicted of allegedly having raped Aphrodite Dora Versus Handwritten on negative: L to R - Pedro Gonzales, Anna Zocsec [sic]. 8/16/35
Type
image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
uclamss_1429_9967 ark:/21198/zz002dj4jf
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
Lawyers--California--Los Angeles Rapists--California--Los Angeles Courtrooms--California--Los Angeles Gonzalez, Pedro J Grey, Olga, 1897-1973
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