In this powerful episode of Dreaming Big, Working Hard, Assemblymember David Alvarez welcomes Josie Talamantez, a lifelong activist, cultural leader, and daughter of Logan Heights, who has dedicated her life to preserving Chicano history and art.

Josie recounts the legendary day in April 1970 when students and community members learned that the land beneath the Coronado Bridge was slated to become a California Highway Patrol parking lot — not the long-promised park for Barrio Logan. Within hours, hundreds gathered:

“They were leveling the land. They had bulldozers. We basically became human chains around the bulldozer.” — Josie Talamantez

From that moment, Chicano Park was born. The occupation lasted 12 days, and Josie, along with fellow activists, formed the Chicano Park Steering Committee, which still safeguards the park’s vision today.

But Josie’s journey didn’t end there. Her activism grew to include decades of work in arts administration, helping grassroots organizations navigate government systems, and spearheading the creation of the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center. The museum, now thriving on National Avenue, preserves archives, exhibits rotating art shows, and serves as a hub for cultural education and community gatherings.

The murals of Chicano Park, Josie explains, aren’t just beautiful works of art: “Our murals are not just beautiful murals. They are beautiful murals, and they tell stories — they tell our own story of our history.” 

From protecting murals threatened by highway retrofits to mentoring new generations of activists, Josie embodies the spirit of a “long-distance runner” in activism — staying committed over decades to achieve lasting change.

For anyone who believes in the power of art, community, and history, this conversation is essential listening. Josie’s story reminds us that real change requires both courage and patience — and that the murals beneath the Coronado Bridge are living testaments to resilience and cultural pride.

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