The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

"The Revolt of the Cockroach People" is a fictionalized semi-autobiographical account of Oscar Zeta Acosta's involvement in the Chicano anti-war protest of the Vietnam War in 1970. 

The novel also covers a variety of conflicts between the protagonist, Buffalo Zeta Brown, an attorney with his own share of personal problems, and the religious, educational, and legal systems of East Los Angeles, CA at the time.  Brown represents rioters who were unjustly indicted and in the process draws significant attention to many Latino issues, but also sacrifices his own health in the process. 

Acosta's novel shows how one of the largest Chicano protest movements was fought both in the streets and in the courts.

The Civil Rights Book Club aims to provide context and provoke discussion about today's top social justice concerns. Each week, we profile a book, a movie, or other media that represent the diversity of the contemporary social justice movement. You can help support The Leadership Conference by purchasing Book Club selections through the Amazon.com link on our website.