Participant in “Salt of the Earth” Strike to Speak at University Library
Date: 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeanette Smith, NMSU Library, (575) 646-7492, jcsmith@lib.nmsu.edu
Lorenzo Torrez, a labor activist from New Mexico, will visit the New Mexico State University campus on
Monday and Tuesday October 15 and 16, 2001. The University Library will sponsor a program featuring a
talk by Torrez followed by a screening of the 1954 film “Salt of the Earth” about the Empire Zinc Strike in
Hurley, New Mexico. Torrez, one of the actual participants in the strike, has a small role in the film. The
program will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15, 2001, on the second floor of Branson Library.
A library Special Collections exhibit highlighting local involvement in the film, based on Torrez’ papers and
local newspapers from 1950-1952, will be available for viewing.
During his visit to campus, Torrez will also speak to several classes about his labor experiences. His
presentation to Professor Janet Tanski’s class “Economic Development of Latin America” is open to the
public as seating permits. The class is scheduled for 10:20 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. on Tuesday, October 16,
2001, in Room 106 of the Business Complex.
Born in Gila, New Mexico, Torrez began working in mining camps at the age of 16 and continued working
in them for the next 25 years. In 1950 his unit of the Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers Union went on strike
for better wages and working conditions from the Empire Zinc Corporation. The strike ended successfully
in February 1952.
During the strike Torrez became associated with the Communist Party and has remained affiliated with it.
Currently living in Tucson, Arizona, he is active in politics, and with his wife, Anita, he runs the Salt of the
Earth Labor School.
Torrez has donated his personal papers and book collection to the University Library Southwest and
Border Research Center. The papers are available for use by researchers in the Rio Grande Historical
Collections and the books will be cataloged for Special Collections.
For more information regarding Lorenzo Torrez’ visit to campus, please contact Molly Molloy at 646-6931
or email mmolloy@lib.nmsu.edu. For information regarding the use of the Lorenzo Torrez Papers, please
contact Portia Vescio at 646-4746 or email pvescio@lib.nmsu.edu.
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