Mexican-American civil-rights conference meets in Laredo

On this day in 1911, the Congreso Mexicanista, the first
statewide Mexican-American civil-rights conference, began meeting
in Laredo. The Idar family, who owned and published La Crónica,
organized the meeting. The Idars invited the Orden Caballeros de
Honor, members of lodges and sociedades mutualistas, all Mexican
consuls in the state, Texas-Mexican journalists, and women from the
region. Meeting through September 22, the congreso established
the Gran Liga Mexicanista de Beneficencia y Protección (Great
Mexican League for Benefit and Protection) and the Liga Femenil Mexicanista
to promote cultural and moral values among Texas Mexicans, provide
protection from abuse by public authorities, and combat segregation
of Texas Mexican students. Nicasio Idar was chosen the leader of
the Gran Liga, and Jovita Idar, his daughter, was elected president
of the Liga Femenil.