Jovita Idar: Voice of the People

The video tells the story of Jovita Idar, a Mexican American journalist born in 1885 in Laredo, Texas. She grew up learning about the struggles of the Latinx community and initially worked as a teacher. Frustrated by the poor conditions, she became a journalist under the pen name Estreya. In 1914, she bravely opposed U.S. troops sent by President Woodrow Wilson to shut down her newspaper, standing up for freedom of speech. Although her efforts only delayed the closure, her legacy as a civil rights pioneer endures.

How did Jovita Idar's actions impact the freedom of speech?

In what ways can individuals protect their First Amendment rights today?