Flyer relating to an anti-Calles demonstration of December 1935 in Mexico City

Alfredo Zalce Mexican

Not on view

This flyer was issued by the League of Revolutionary Artists and Writers, a collective founded in early 1934 and modeled partly on labor unions. It announces a protest against the political manipulations of Plutarco Elías Calles—informally known as Maximum Leader (Jefe Máximo)—whose period of indirect rule, during which he appointed short-term presidents, lasted from 1929 to 1934. Calles is depicted as a pirate who gets rich from the blood and suffering of the poor. The "ARM" worn by a parrot at top left refers to an anti-communist group that opposed unionism. The league that sponsored this flyer forged close ties with working-class organizations and developed discourses around proletarian struggles.



Esta octavilla fue publicada por la Liga de Escritores y Artistas Revolucionarios, un colectivo fundado a principios de 1934 siguiendo en parte el modelo de los sindicatos de trabajadores. Anuncia una manifestación contra las manipulaciones políticas de Plutarco Elías Calles —conocido informalmente como «Jefe Máximo»—, que gobernó de manera indirecta entre 1929 y 1934 a través de presidentes designados por él que ejercieron el cargo durante cortos lapsos de tiempo. Calles es representado como un pirata que se enriquece a costa de la sangre y el sufrimiento de los pobres. En la esquina superior izquierda, un loro luce las siglas «ARM», pertenecientes a un grupo anticomunista que se oponía al sindicalismo. La liga que patrocinó esta octavilla forjó lazos estrechos con organizaciones de la clase trabajadora y desarrolló discursos relacionados con las luchas proletarias.

Flyer relating to an anti-Calles demonstration of December 1935 in Mexico City, Alfredo Zalce (Mexican, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán 1908–2003 Morelia), Lithograph and letterpress backed on linen

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