“Propaganda subversiva.” Does that sound like something you’d be arrested for today? Right now we are standing at Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez. He was once arrested for distributing “propaganda subversiva.”
Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez was born in Mexico City. The Mexican politician, journalist, and businessman lived from 1915 to 1980. Let’s delve into the life of this multifaceted figure.
At just 14 years old, Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez passionately supported José Vasconcelos. Vasconcelos ran for president in 1929. Later, Ramírez y Ramírez joined the Federación de Estudiantes Revolucionarios. At first, he opposed socialist education reform. He believed a bourgeois regime couldn’t implement socialist teaching.
In January 1933, authorities arrested Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez. He was caught distributing “subversive propaganda” in Peralvillo. This consisted of copies of the magazine Socorro Rojo. The magazine criticized the Mexican Army in an article titled “A la defensa.”
He suffered beatings. After his arrest he was transferred to the prosecutor’s office. There, authorities claimed he participated in a ceremony commemorating student Juan Antonio Mella. Octavio Paz Solórzano, a lawyer, rescued Ramírez y Ramírez and other young communists. Later, the FER joined the Partido Estudiantil Pro-Cárdenas. Ignacio García Téllez led this party. Ramírez y Ramírez traveled to Morelia. He demanded replacing secular education with socialist education. He also advocated for socializing professions. Additionally, he wanted sexual education implemented. He further called for abolishing private schools and better wealth distribution.
Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez joined the Partido Popular Socialista. In 1952 and 1955, he and Vicente Fuentes Díaz favored an alliance. They wanted to ally with the Partido Comunista Mexicano and the Partido Obrero Campesino de México. This contrasted with Vicente Lombardo Toledano’s view. Toledano preferred acting alone.
During the II Asamblea Nacional Ordinaria, Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez argued workers should form the party’s base. Vidal Díaz Muñoz argued the composition was primarily farmers. Lombardo claimed that Ramírez y Ramírez sought to lead the PPS. Consequently, he was excluded from the party’s leadership. In September 1958, he was expelled from the PPS. Rodolfo Dorantes and Celerino Cano Palacios were also expelled.
On June 26, 1962, during President Adolfo López Mateos’ fourth year in office, Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez founded Publicaciones Mexicanas. This cooperative published the Mexico City newspaper El Día. The cooperative’s first board included Ramírez y Ramírez as president. Salvador Robles Quintero was secretary. Eduardo Alonso Escárcega served as treasurer.
Later in life, Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez became a congressman. He represented the IV Distrito Electoral Federal del Distrito Federal. He was a member of the Partido Revolucionario Institucional.
Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez left behind a significant body of written work. His works include: Evolución del movimiento juvenil mexicano. Another work is El régimen de Gustavo Díaz Ordaz y el desarrollo nacional. He also wrote Testimonio de amistad: en los sesenta años de Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez: México, D.F., 5 de marzo de 1975. Additionally, he authored Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez: obra legislativa. Finally, he penned La vida, el trabajo y la lucha de Vicente Lombardo Toledano en la historia de México.
Enrique Ramírez y Ramírez, a man of many facets, left an indelible mark. His journey took him from youthful activism to political leadership. He was a journalist and a businessman. His life reflects Mexico’s complex 20th century.