Coloradans Honored for Work in the Latino Community

On Friday, August 14, two Colorado residents were honored for their work in the Longmont Latino community. El Comité De Longmont was started in the 80s by Victor L. Vela and Marta Moreno after the shooting and killing of two unarmed, Latino men by a police officer. 

Both 21, Juan Louis Garcia and Jeffery Cordova were killed by police the night of August 14, 1980 after getting pulled over. After an altercation lasting a total of 44 seconds, the pair was gone. Glenn Herner was acquitted of his charges of manslaughter.

This incident sparked a movement for the Latino community in Longmont with Vela and Marta at the frontlines of the fight. Various members of the Latino community created a petition and sat with city officials and Council members with demands and ways to change the current methods of policing. Their first meetings were in the basement of a church.

To honor their work of over 40 years, Governor Jared Polis created a proclamation declaring August 14 Victor Vela and Marata Moreno Day. After advocating for the community for four decades, Moreno has since retired from working various positions within El Comité De Longmont. Colorado flags were flown over the Colorado State House for their work.

.@GovofCO⁩ issued a proclamation honoring my dad’s work for El Comité de Longmont. It formed in 1980 after police shot two unarmed Latino teens.

Aug. 14 will be named Victor L Vela & Marta Moreno Day in CO! Moreno was a longtime El Comité leader

Look: https://t.co/yVMmfmlUJO pic.twitter.com/BVj4POOeSE

— Vic Vela (@VicVela1) August 12, 2020

El Comité De Longmont brought about reform which resulted in expanding training for new police officers, the Longmont police using a new Use of Force policy, and including the Latino Advisory Council in the department. 

In addition to creating change with El Comité De Longmont, Vela has done work for youth in the community. Moreno has recently retired from working multiple positions in El Comité De Longmont. 

The motto of El Comité De Longmont is without actions, there is no miracle; sin acciones, no hay milagros. 

“I am honored and shocked to receive this proclamation. I am happy to receive this proclamation on behalf of the six other original members of El Comité, who, without them and others who became members later, we would not have accomplished all that we did.” Vela says.

“Si quieres paz, lucha por la justicia.” Moreno states.