What does MELA mean in Libraries?

Mela

Mothers of East Los Angeles (MELA), started in 1986, as a group of Latina mothers to fight the proposed construction of a state prison in East Los Angeles by Governor George Deukmejian. Rosa Diseno, Lucy Ramos, Mary Lou Trevis and Aurora Castillo are some of the founding mothers among the 400-member group. Two organizations exist today who originate from the same founding members, one organization being the Mothers of East LA and the other being Madres de Este Los Angeles, Santa Isabel. Both groups are primarily focused on environmental justice because they are mothers who have coalesced around something of immediate importance to them, the safety of their families and children". They are known nationally for their victory over the proposed state prison in East L.A. which later lead MELA to take on many issues that have affected their environment and quality of life and has been unceasing in their dedication to protect their community from other projects they perceive as harmful.

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