The Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) settled its lawsuit last December against Sheriff Lee Baca and the County of Los Angeles while representing Phillip Rodriguezāa documentary filmmaker from L.A. The settlement, obtained by way of the California Public Records Act, allows for the release of official documents related to the mysterious death of L.A. journalist and activist Ruben Salazar following the Chicano Moratorium March in 1970.
Ruben Salazar was a successful columnist for the L.A. Times, who was a pioneer in reporting on Chicano and Latino issues for mainstream media. He became news director for Univisionās KMEX-TV, and he advocated for minoritiesā causes by informing majorities about Chicano and Latino issues.
The documents to be released through this settlement include records related to Salazarās death on or about Aug. 29, 1970; the investigation, autopsy and analysis of his body and the circumstances of his death; and coronerās photos taken at the scene, as well as records referring to any investigation, surveillance or inquiry in regards to Salazarās death.
Phillip Rodriguez is making a film about the life and death of Ruben Salazar. The documentary āRuben Salazar: The Man in the Middleā will be released by PBS this fall.