Paul Hernandez

Paul Hernandez (September 20, 1946–September 24, 2020), was an influential East Austin Chicano activist, a major figure in Austin politics, and a founder of the local Brown Berets. He led the fight against the Aquafest boat races on Town Lake in East Austin which led to their relocation. He founded El Centro Chicano, which focused on housing, gentrification, drug abuse and police brutality. Hernandez was also a spokesman for El Concilio, a coalition of East Austin Mexican-American neighborhood associations.

In the early 1990s a brain hemorrhage and protracted recovery sidelined Hernandez, but he remained committed to East Austin.

Brown Berets Hernandez helped found the local chapter of the Brown Berets, who pledged to support, protect and defend the Mexican American community.

Hernandez was instrumental in helping form neighborhood organizations such as East Town Lake Neighborhood Association, Rainey Neighborhood Association, Buena Vista, Barrio Unido, and Govalle neighborhood associations. He also supported formation of alliances with existing organizations, always focused on enabling residents to learn how to defend themselves against gentrification. In 1978, when police broke up one protest Hernandez was beaten up badly. A widely published photograph shows Hernandez surrounded by plainclothes and uniformed law enforcement wielding billy clubs. Afterward a police officer was suspended for using excessive force and the Austin City Council abolished the drag boat races. The summer of 1978 was the last summer the boat races were held on Town Lake.