MEET THE CHARACTERS
THE GANG OF FOUR
BOB SANTOS
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Robert "Bob" Santos, was a beloved civil rights leader and activist in the 1960's and 1970's. Together with the Gang of Four, Bob Santos fought tirelessly to preserve Seattle's International District. He recognized the importance of protecting the culture and identity of a community during a time of major gentrification. While always quick to make a joke, he inspired countless others to follow suit and push for equal rights, equal housing, and equal representation. Through perseverance, hardship, and sacrifice Bob Santos embodied the fighting spirit, always ready to lay it all down on the line for his beliefs. A man of great drive and passion, his love for his community only barely overshadowed by his love of life. An uncle to all those who knew him, but a hero to us all.
LARRY GOSSETT
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Larry Gossett has been a dedicated public servant for over 40 years and has accomplished a great deal in the Seattle community as well as worldwide. He attended the University of Washington where he was instrumental in the founding of the Black Student Union and fought to eliminate racial discrimination and increase the enrollment of African Americans, and other students of color at the University. He is as passionate and committed to his work as he is to his family. He inspires all he meets and exudes power with such elegance and prowess that leaves you in awe. He is a current member of the Seattle King Council, having served as the chair in 2007 and 2013 and the last remaining member of the Gang of Four.
ROBERTO MAESTAS
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Roberto Maestas is from New Mexico in a farming community. After dropping out of school in Las Vegas, he started working at different farms with other migrants for two years up until he settled at Seattle. After dropping out of Cleveland HS due to financial difficulties, he had to work different jobs to get by. He got his HS diploma in what is now known as Seattle Central College, and got his degree in Spanish and minor in communication while working swing shift and writing for The Daily at University of Washington.
As a teacher at Franklin HS, he met Larry Gossett during the sit-ins and started becoming "a pretty active teacher". He led the first ESL Program at South Seattle College and Latin American Studies at UW. He also lead the occupation of the old Beacon Hill School and transformed it to El Centro de la Raza, providing not only social services and ESL programs to the community, but also international relations in Central America. As a community activist with a very strong personality advocated for multi-racial coalitions and workers' rights movements, his impact in the community is evident up to now.
BERNIE WHITEBEAR
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Bernie Whitebear was a Sin-Aikst native who grew up on the Colville Reservation of Northern Washington under his mother Mary Reyes (American Indian) and father Julian Reyes (Filipino) Bernie was born in a tumultous time, the Coulee Dam was being built. This dam was an ultimate sign of disrespect that violated culture, tradition, and even ancient burial grounds; it disrupted the hunting and even completely cut off access to salmon, something that the Colville tribe has had in their life for centuries. During his lifespan Whitebear made many contributions to the American Indian society. He supported fishing rights for the Nisqually and fought in the rights for Fort Lawton to open the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center on Indian land. In doing so he provided a home base for the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation that was monumental in educational and cultural programs that advanced American indian communties and enhanced the opportunities for people to embrace there culture. Dedicated and Compassionate, Bernie Whitebear always stood up for his people no matter what the odds were.
