los cinco
For years Mexican Americans had been denied the right to vote by obstacles like poll taxes, literacy tests and gerrymandering voting districts. In 1963, for the first time in more than one hundred years, Mexican Americans put up their own candidates for office and challenged anglo politicians for control of city government. The five candidates, known as los cinco, surprised political observers by defeating the anglo mayor and the all anglo city council. The victors quickly learned that long standing traditions do not change easily. First, Texas ranger A. Y. Allee refused to turn over the keys to city hall. A phone call from Texas governor, John Connaly forced him to accept the new officials. The rise and fall of los cinco echoed a long history of conflict between Mexican Americans and the south Texas power structure.