Echo Park Muralist Recalls Rage Against the Machine's Roots in Highland Park

Muralist Raul Paulino Baltazar lives in Echo Park today, but he spent some formative years in nearby Highland Park.

Along with Rage Against the Machine and One Day as a Lion front man Zack De La Rocha, Baltazar was responsible for bringing artists and political activists from across Southern California to Highland Park in the mid 1990s.

Baltazar was on hand during L.A. based Folk Art Everywhere's tour through Highland Park on March 26, and briefly spoke about his and De La Rocha's time in the neighborhood.

In the accompanying video, he tells how the two men set up shop in the former location of the Sunbeam Theater at the intersection of North Figueroa Street and South Avenue 58, where they met regularly every Thursday with like minded young artists to perform and discuss politics.

Among the groups with which Baltazar and De La Rocha aligned themselves were the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, a revolutionary group of indigenous Mexicans who have engaged in peaceful, non-violent political protest against the Mexican Government since 1994.

"When the Zapatistas started their revolution we automatically became an ally to them," Baltazar said.

Baltazar is also responsible for the mural that adorns La Estrella Restaurant on 6103 N. Figueroa St. 

"We spawned a lot of muralism in this community," Baltazar said. "A lot of us started tapping into our indigenous roots, and going into ceremony. Others went more into politics. There was a lot of activism--it was a really important time."

De La Rocha enjoyed some national fame with Rage Against the Machine before walking away from the commercial spotlight. He continues to make music and, after nearly decade long hiatus, has resumed playing shows with Rage Against the Machine.

Baltazar has continued along on his artistic journey as well, regularly coordinating mural projects across Los Angeles.