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Join us for a fundraiser full of music, community, and shared vision! 💫 Featuring live music inspired by Los Torogoces and stories from Sebastián Torogoz new book. Read Sebastián Torogoz Biography This special night will honor the past, uplift the present, and build toward a just future — all while raising funds to keep solidarity strong.
Details
November 14, 2025 from 5-8:00 PM
Latin Patio, 3115 N Central Ave Chicago, IL 60634
Benito Chica Argueta, better known as Sebastián Torogóz, was born in the rural Cantón El Zapotal in Joateca, Morazán, El Salvador. He was the fourteenth child of his parents, Francisco Chica and Cástula Argueta. From an early age, around nine, he began playing guitar at home; his siblings were part of a chanchona (a rural string ensemble) that performed at family celebrations and community events. In his youth, Sebastián joined community Christian reflection groups (which later became part of the Comunidades Eclesiales de Base) in El Zapotal. There he participated in courses on first aid and community health, blending spiritual reflection with social praxis. In 1978, he formally joined the armed struggle via the Ligas Populares 28 de Febrero (which later became part of the ERP). In June 1981, Sebastián and fellow combatants founded Los Torogoces de Morazán, the musical group that became closely associated with Radio Venceremos and the cultural resistance during the Salvadoran war.
During the twelve years of war, Los Torogoces acted as “juglares¨ troubadours of resistance, traveling through conflict zones, performing songs, sharing stories, and offering laughter in the face of adversity. Sebastián employed music, storytelling, and theatrical satire, often impersonating figures of the elite or military, as a tool to challenge authoritarian power and uplift communities under duress.
After the signing of the peace accords, he reassembled the group with younger generations and continued touring both nationally and internationally. Among his notable works are corridos like Recordando al Profeta (in tribute to Oscar Romero) and Corrido al Mozote, honoring victims of the Mozote massacre. He has also actively engaged in memory work—publishing, performing, and organizing events that resist silencing of El Salvador’s violent past.
Sebastián’s artistry is deeply rooted in the folk traditions of Morazán and El Salvador’s eastern region, combining instruments such as harp, marimba, and strings with narrative lyrics that document struggle, identity, and resilience. His music remains informed by a liberation perspective that insists on the importance of collective memory, social justice, and cultural reclaiming. In recent years, he continues to mentor youth, organize concerts, and deliver talks that bridge El Salvador’s past and present struggles, deepening transnational solidarity and cultivating new generations of cultural and political memory keepers.
May 1 is for the workers, we are all workers, and it is International Workers’ Day. May Day is a bittersweet forgotten history for anyone living in Chicago. If one is paying attention to the marches that happen from México, Guatemala, Chile to Brazil, and around the world, Chicago is almost always referenced. As the retired Reverend Dan Dale reminds us at CRLN ¨May Day was forged from the bloodshed and bravery of workers in Chicago, who dared to dream of a world where they would be treated with dignity.¨
CRLN honors the martyrs of 1886 and the millions who marched in the 2006. They are who continue to be the spirit of this movement. Their struggle is not in the past, it lives in undocumented workers fighting for fair wages, and students resisting family separation.
Under today’s repressive regime, as authoritarianism threatens the lives of all immigrants, workers, and the most vulnerable, we must take to the streets again.
On May 1, CRLN will be in the streets to honor the historic memory of the 1886 Martyrs, as well as the memory of the 2006 marches and to participate as we write a new chapter of resistance for Chicago and the United States.
CRLN will join the Interfaith Gathering that Arise Chicago has organized.
📅 Date: May 1, 2025
🕙 Time: 9:30AM – 10.30AM
📍 Location: Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60606
May 1 is for the workers, we are all workers, and it is International Workers’ Day. May Day is a bittersweet forgotten history for anyone living in Chicago. If one is paying attention to the marches that happen from México, Guatemala, Chile to Brazil, and around the world, Chicago is almost always referenced. As the retired Reverend Dan Dale remind’s us at CRLN ¨May Day was forged from the bloodshed and bravery of workers in Chicago, who dared to dream of a world where they would be treated with dignity.¨
On May 1, 1886, thousands of Chicago workers participated in a national strike demanding what today itself may seem in need of reform, the infamous eight-hour workday.
On May 4, during a peaceful rally at Haymarket Square, people protested police violence from a previous strike, and a bomb was thrown at the police. The police retaliated by opening fire and killing several people. The person responsible for the bomb was never identified. This led to eight people being arrested and four being executed.
August Spies – German-born editor of the anarchist newspaper Arbeiter-Zeitung.
Albert Parsons – Former Confederate soldier turned socialist and anarchist, editor of The Alarm.
Adolph Fischer – Printer and labor activist.
George Engel – German immigrant and militant socialist.
¡Presente!
The Haymarket Martyrs, as they were now known, became international symbols of working-class resistance. The memory of the Chicago Martyrs found a special connection with other worker movements in Latin America and Europe. Many of us who grew-up or know Latin American history find it ironic that despite many efforts to erase this radical history in the U.S., countries across Latin America and the world honor May Day as a day of action, historic memory and resistance, helping preserve this historic memory. May Day is a day people march to reclaim the dignity of workers, to demand justice for the poor, and to fight back against the violence of neoliberalism, exploitation and the political repression of capitalism.
Here in Chicago, in 2006, this forgotten historic memory was fused with the efforts for migrant justice that brought the immigrant rights marches of 2006, 2007 and 2008 into action. Organizers were aware of the importance of the date and participated in a historic moment that saw over 500,000 people, many from Latin America marching to have their voices heard in the streets of Chicago. I personally remember those marches because they hold a special place in my political education and formation. People filled the streets demanding comprehensive immigration reform, an end to deportations, and recognition of their labor and humanity. These marches were not only some of the largest in U.S. history but also a turning point that connected immigrant rights to the broader struggle for workers’ rights. Today, these demands remain unanswered. Some of us believe some aspects are worse. While we have won many local and national fights that benefit migrants, our undocumented sisters and brothers are owed so much more. One day soon, we will be able to talk about reparations for our undocumented community in the USA. And that painful conversations will have to include how forced migration was always a factor of decades of predatory and failed U.S. foreign policy.
CRLN honors the martyrs of 1886 and the millions who marched in the 2006. They are who continue to be the spirit of this movement. Their struggle is not in the past, it lives in undocumented workers fighting for fair wages, and students resisting family separation.
Under today’s repressive regime, as authoritarianism threatens the lives of all immigrants, workers, and the most vulnerable, we must take to the streets again.
On May 1, CRLN will be in the streets to honor the historic memory of the 1886 Martyrs, as well as the memory of the 2006 marches and to participate as we write a new chapter of resistance for Chicago and the United States.
¡No nos vamos!
CRLN will join the Interfaith Gathering that Arise Chicago has organized.
📅 Date: May 1, 2025
🕙 Time: 9:30AM – 10.30AM
📍 Location: Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60606
Saint Oscar Romero was a courageous voice for justice and human rights in El Salvador. As Archbishop, he became a new voice of hope during the brutal repression of the war. He understood that he must use his pulpit to denounce the violence and injustices inflicted on the poor by the military dictatorship. Romero was committed to truth and justice, despite receiving threats and ultimately being assassinated by U.S.-trained death squads in 1980, he continues to inspire movements for peace and dignity across the Americas.
In today’s context, where immigrant communities are among the most vulnerable and are targets of the rising authoritarian Trump regime, Romero’s legacy serves as a reminder of the power of faith-rooted resistance and actions in confronting oppressive systems. The Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) was founded in part as a response to Romero’s prophetic work for the oppressed. His vision for justice is embedded in our mission as we stand in solidarity with resistance communities in Central America and fight with immigrant rights communities in Chicago. That is why we are honored to partner with Centro Romero—an institution that has served the immigrant and refugee community in Chicago for over 40 years. Though March is traditionally the month in which we celebrate Saint Romero’s life, every day remains an opportunity to honor his memory by working to dismantle injustice, from El Salvador to the streets of Chicago. Romero’s legacy lives on through the continued efforts of Centro Romero, CRLN, and Alianza Americas. Centro Romero addresses urgent needs through direct services, while CRLN advances interfaith advocacy, education and action for systemic change. Together, we are committed to educating, empowering, and organizing immigrant, Latino/a, and refugee communities to confront today’s injustices with the same courage and conviction that Romero embodied. Join us on April 30 at 10AM.
📅 Date: April 30, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Pueblo Unido Gallery at Centro Romero, 6212 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60660
Saint Oscar Romero was a courageous voice for justice and human rights in El Salvador. As Archbishop, he became a new voice of hope during the brutal repression of the war. He understood that he must use his pulpit to denounce the violence and injustices inflicted on the poor by the military dictatorship. Romero was committed to truth and justice, despite receiving threats and ultimately being assassinated by U.S.-trained death squads in 1980, he continues to inspire movements for peace and dignity across the Americas.
In today’s context, where immigrant communities are among the most vulnerable and are targets of the rising authoritarian Trump regime, Romero’s legacy serves as a reminder of the power of faith-rooted resistance and actions in confronting oppressive systems.
The Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) was founded in part as a response to Romero’s prophetic work for the oppressed. His vision for justice is embedded in our mission as we stand in solidarity with resistance communities in Central America and fight with immigrant rights communities in Chicago. That is why we are honored to partner with Centro Romero—an institution that has served the immigrant and refugee community in Chicago for over 40 years. Though March is traditionally the month in which we celebrate Saint Romero’s life, every day remains an opportunity to honor his memory by working to dismantle injustice, from El Salvador to the streets of Chicago.
Romero’s legacy lives on through the continued efforts of Centro Romero, CRLN, and Alianza Americas. Centro Romero addresses urgent needs through direct services, while CRLN advances interfaith advocacy, education and action for systemic change. Together, we are committed to educating, empowering, and organizing immigrant, Latino/a, and refugee communities to confront today’s injustices with the same courage and conviction that Romero embodied. Join us on April 30 at 10AM.
📅 Date: April 30, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Pueblo Unido Gallery at Centro Romero, 6212 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60660
Join Us This Sunday!
Please join us this Sunday for ¡ROMERO VIVE!. We will be gathering at Decima Musa at 1901 S Loomis on Sunday, April 13th, from 4-6:30 pm for commemoration, political education, and fundraising in solidarity with social movements and political prisoners of El Salvador via the life and struggle of Óscar Romero. Killed during mass in 1980 by U.S.-backed death squads for being an outspoken defender of the poor, Romero advocated for popular social movements in the face of state oppression and was a voice and legal advocate for the disappeared and incarcerated.
As a co-sponsor of the national campaign, CRLN thanks everyone who bought tickets or donated to the February 16 Chicago Concert for Cuba! The concerts in Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco were sold out. Those three concerts have been edited into an amazing Global Concert for Cuba, streaming on Saturday, April 5 at 8 pm(Central), to continue raising funds for urgently needed humanitarian aid for Cuba.
You can watch it on Facebook Live
(https://facebook.com/events/s/concerts-for-cuba-25-the-world/651725113914857/) or
YouTube
(https://www.youtube.com/live/kJ9o2ub9HvM?si=rz9lK-qRRHHUn6ZB)
The campaign for humanitarian aid continues and you can still contribute. All funds will be used for lifesaving aid to be delivered by two organizations with extensive experience getting aid to Cuba: Global Health Partners and People’s Forum.
Chicago Concert for Cuba on February 16, 2025
As a co-sponsor of the national campaign, CRLN thanks everyone who bought tickets or donated to the February 16 Chicago Concert for Cuba! The concerts in Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco were sold out.
photos by Jhonathan F. Gomez
January 14, 2025
EMERGENCY ACTIONS
– E-mail and/or call your Alderperson to request they VOTE NO on O2023-0004222 on Jan 15th.
– Attend the City Council meeting and give public comment against the ordinance on Jan 15th
- Participate In-Person: 📢 Be at the ground floor of City Hall between 8–9am
- Participate Virtually: 📞 (312) 744-6800 on Jan 13th or 14th and leave a message with your name and telephone number.
For decades, the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) has stood firmly in support of Chicago as a sanctuary for all. CRLN is an unapologetic advocate for Chicago’s Sanctuary City status, rooted in a commitment to justice, human rights, and the protection of immigrant communities.
Since the passage of the original Sanctuary City Ordinance in 1985, Chicago has been a leader in protecting immigrant rights and fostering community safety. For nearly four decades, this ordinance has provided vital protections to immigrant families, allowing them to live without fear of deportation or harassment. This legacy reflects our city’s values of inclusion, dignity, and fairness, and we must continue to uphold and defend it against those who want to dismantle these protections.
Research from the Center for American Progress found that counties with sanctuary policies experience lower crime rates and stronger community trust than those without such protections (American Progress). Additionally, a study from the Center for Growth and Opportunity revealed that Latina women living in counties with sanctuary policies face a 62% lower rate of domestic homicide (Center for Growth and Opportunity).
Proposals to amend the ordinance jeopardize these achievements. By allowing ICE to act on mere arrests, the proposed changes infringe on due process, as arrests alone often do not lead to charges or convictions. They also conflict with the Illinois TRUST Act, which prohibits local police from complying with ICE detainers or warrants without judicial approval. Further, vague language about “gang- and prostitution-related activities” risks arbitrary enforcement, disproportionately targeting vulnerable individuals.
The consequences of these changes extend beyond immigrant communities. According to a 2017 study by the National Immigration Law Center, sanctuary policies improve cooperation between immigrant communities and local authorities, fostering a safer environment for everyone (National Immigration Law Center).
CRLN calls on Chicagoans to take action: contact your alderperson, attend protests, and support immigrant rights organizations. This is a pivotal moment and we must stand together to protect Chicago’s legacy as a Sanctuary City and reaffirm our shared values of justice, compassion, and solidarity.
EMERGENCY ACTIONS
– E-mail and/or call your Alderperson to request they VOTE NO on O2023-0004222 on Jan 15th.
– Attend the City Council meeting and give public comment against the ordinance on Jan 15th
- Participate In-Person: 📢 Be at the ground floor of City Hall between 8–9am
- Participate Virtually: 📞 (312) 744-6800 on Jan 13th or 14th and leave a message with your name and telephone number.
– CRLN
CRLN’s Solidarity 2024 Highlights
CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO CRLN, CLICK HERE
Dear CRLN community and partners,
As 2024 comes to a close we want to share some highlights of our work together this year. Each of the highlights illustrates the different ways we are living out our mission together.
Since our beginning thirty-five years ago, we have revisited our mission statement several times and in March of 2016 we adopted the mission statement below:
CRLN builds partnerships among social movements and organized communities within and between the U.S. and Latin America. We work together through popular education, grassroots organizing, public policy advocacy, and direct action to dismantle U.S. militarism, neoliberal economic and immigration policy, and other forms of state and institutional violence. We are united by our liberating faiths and inspired by the power of people to organize and to find allies to work for sustainable economies, just relationships, and human dignity.
Building partnerships is at the very core of our mission. From our earliest days, we have partnered with people who are directly impacted by destructive U.S. policies and worked to change those policies. Our partners have always shaped our work together and we are working to deepen our partnerships. In our Highlights Report below, you will learn more about our delegation to Cuba and two delegations to Guatemala. In a historic event, we were able to host partners from the Centro Martin Luther King Center (CMLK) in Cuba after many years of visa denials by the US. Central American partners from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala shared testimonies with our community. In addition, we made new connections with other organizations in the Americas. Together with partners old and new, we discussed accompaniment and advocacy strategies.
Throughout our Highlights Report, you will see examples of how we work through popular education, grassroots organizing, public policy advocacy, and direct action. CRLN’s work this year was possible for three reasons: 1) our long history of accompaniment and advocacy 2) staff who have firsthand knowledge of transnational work and 3) And number three is YOU, our supporters, members, and our network. You make our work possible!
As we write this letter, we are meeting with national and local partners to equip our community to accompany those most impacted by the racist policies threatened by the new administration. With your generous support, we can “meet this moment and the next” by continuing to accompany and advocate with our partners. Together we can multiply hope and light!
Please consider an online donation at https://bit.ly/CRLNEndofYear to CRLN. Your contributions are tax-deductible. Please also consider providing a legacy donation to CRLN in your will; our full legal title is Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America.
¡Adelante!
CRLN Staff and Board
January Delegation to Guatemala with Congresswoman Delia Ramírez and leaders of the Guatemala Community in Chicago
Delegation members visit the resistance camp of La Puya near Guatemala City
The January 2024 Guatemala delegation, organized by CRLN, was a unique opportunity for participants to engage with social movements and human rights defenders, furthering connections and understanding of critical issues in the region. Joined by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and other distinguished leaders, the delegation witnessed the vital work of organizations such as La Puya, Fundación Ixtatán, and Asociación Pop-Noj.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
January Delegation to Cuba
Delegation members in Cuba and view of Havana, Cuba
In January 2024, our CRLN delegation arrived in Cuba after more than a year of planning. It was decided in 2023 to partner with the Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective (WFP), which has a staff member in Cuba and vast experience organizing delegations. The delegation would explore the historic and impactful community, theological, and secular work of the renowned Centro Memorial Martin Luther King (CMLK).
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Delegation from Cuba visits Chicago
Esteemed and renown historian and professor Barbara Ransby with guests Reverend Izett Samá Hernández and Loyet García Broche at the Chicago Justice Gallery event organized by Bettina Johnson
Solidarity dinner to honor the work of the Centro Memorial Martin Luther King Jr. (CMLK) in La Habana, Cuba
The visit of Reverend Izett Samá Hernández and Loyet García Broche, key leaders and human rights defenders from the Centro Memorial Martin Luther King Jr. (CMLK) in La Habana, Cuba, marked a significant moment in CRLN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationship with the CMLK. From April 13 to April 19, 2024, their visit to Chicago featured impactful events centered around political education, liberatory theology, and liberatory education. The CMLK’s work, blending secular and religious elements, holds profound significance in Cuba and internationally. CRLN was honored to host Reverend Hernández and García Broche, whose leadership continues to inspire movements in Cuba and beyond. This visit follows CRLN’s successful delegation to Cuba in January 2024, deepening the collaborative ties between our organizations and setting the stage for future strategic initiatives.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Nelly del Cid from Honduras visits Chicago
Conversation with Honduran human rights defender Nelly Del Cid hosted at Inga Bookstore in Chicago
CRLN hosted an empowering conversation with Honduran human rights defender Nelly Del Cid, in collaboration with the Sisters of Mercy at the national level and in Chicago, as well as Inga Bookstore. The event brought together an intergenerational audience for a dialogue centered on community, resistance, and self-care, highlighting the resilience and courage of those fighting for human rights in Honduras and beyond. Nelly’s powerful insights sparked meaningful reflection and discussion, creating a space for solidarity and mutual learning.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Action and Advocacy at the El Salvador Consulate
CRLN and allies rally in front of the El Salvador consulate in Chicago
In response to a global call from human rights defenders and organizations in El Salvador, CRLN supported organizing a powerful rally in front of the El Salvador consulate in Chicago on May 31, 2024. This event was part of a larger coordinated effort across the United States and the world to denounce the authoritarian policies of President Nayib Bukele’s government.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
HumanitiesX Fellowship with DePaul University
CRLN staff, DePaul staff, allies, and fellows at University Church
The Historical Memory Project: Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón was a transformative educational initiative that emerged from a partnership between CRLN and DePaul University’s HumanitiesX fellowship. Launched in the Spring of 2024, the project connected students to critical human rights contexts in Central America, particularly Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Under the guidance of Professors Dr. Susana Martínez and Dr. Lydia Saravia from DePaul University, along with CRLN’s Co-Director Jhonathan Gómez, the project integrated interdisciplinary study, community engagement, and collaborative art. Students explored historical memory and social justice by researching human rights challenges, particularly issues related to political violence, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
July Guatemala Diaspora Delegation
Delegation participants with members of AJR at the trial hearings. Delegation members in the town square of Nebaj, El Quiché.
The delegation to Guatemala, which took place from July 3rd to the 13th, included five leaders from the Guatemalan community. This delegation was a collaboration between CRLN, the Maya Ixil Accompaniment Project, NISGUA, and AJR (Association for Justice and Reconciliation). The delegation was an independent initiative from Guatemalan leaders in Chicago seeking to reconnect with their roots and the desire to understand a border context of human rights in Guatemala.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Thelma Cabrera and Neftali López visit Chicago
Thelma Cabrera and Neftali López at public events at 18th Street Casa de Cultura and Latin Patio restaurant
From October 20th to 24th, 2024, Thelma Cabrera and Neftalí López, two prominent Human Rights Defenders from Guatemala, visited Chicago as part of a larger speaking tour. This visit was organized in partnership with local collectives Ceiba and Alma de Izote, along with support from Mijente, CODECA USA Youth, the CCG (Coalición Cordinadora de Guatemala en Chicago), and leaders of the Guatemala community. This marked the first collaboration with Mijente, whose logistical and promotional support contributed to the success of the events. The visit allowed for valuable connections between the guests, local leaders, and various organizations dedicated to social justice and human rights.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Midwest Association for Latin American Studies (MALAS) conference
Dr. Susana Martínez and Dr. Lydia Saravia highlight how archival research serves as a foundation for understanding the political and cultural history of Central America. Angelina Álvarez shared on the importance of Central American curriculum for college students
At the 2024 Midwest Association for Latin American Studies (MALAS) conference, Jhonathan Gómez, along with DePaul University’s Dr. Susana Martínez, Dr. Lydia Saravia, and Angelina Álvarez, presented the Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón: Central American Historical Memory Project. This panel explored the powerful intersections of historical memory, social justice, and community engagement in the context of Central American human rights struggles. The presentation delved into the use of archives for preserving historical memory, with Susana Martínez and Lydia Saravia highlighting how archival research serves as a foundation for understanding the political and cultural history of Central America.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
House of Hospitality
In 2024, CRLN’s work with the SWG House of Hospitality exemplified its commitment to community-powered solutions in response to the challenges faced by recently arrived migrant families. The House of Hospitality served as a temporary home for several West African families, providing critical support and resources. CRLN pivoted to focus on services within the context of accompaniment, emphasizing leadership development among residents. One significant achievement was hiring a resident member as part-time staff, offering both professional growth opportunities and a platform to contribute to the collective work of the organization.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO CRLN, CLICK HERE.