Documentary Examines Suspicious 1970 Death Of LA Times Journalist Ruben Salazar

"Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle" airs on PBS stations April 29

Thursday, March 20, 2014

By Maureen Cavanaugh, Patty Lane, Peggy Pico

GUEST:

Phillip Rodriguez, filmmaker, "Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle"

In the 1960s, journalist Ruben Salazar was writing about being Latino in America — things that no one else would dare say out loud. And some people think that's why he lost his life.

Salazar was a Los Angeles Times reporter at a time when the Chicano political movement was getting underway. He was killed in 1970 during a police action during an anti-war demonstration in L.A.

A new documentary explores Salazar's work, his growing empathy with the Chicano movement and the mysteries surrounding his death.

"Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle" airs will be part of the San Diego Latino Film Festival this weekend.