Mexican-American Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) was a known union leader and labor organizer. He was born in Yuma Arizona, to immigrant parents. Cesar moved to California with his family in 1939. For the next decade the Chavez family moved up and down California working in the fields. During this period Cesar encountered rough conditions that he would dedicate his life to changing: unfit migrant camps, corrupt labor contractors, low wages for backbreaking work, and racism.
Chavez activism began in 1952 when he met a fellow activist and Catholic priest, Father Donald McDonnell, and Fred Ross an organizer with the Community Service Organization. Who later recruited Chavez to join his group, within a few years later, Chavez became a national director. Later, in 1962 he later resigned to devote his duties to organizing a union for farm workers. …show more content…
Within months Chavez and his union had became known nationally. He paved the way on the imagery of the civil rights movement, his consistency on violence, reliance on volunteers from urban universities’ and religious organizations. Chavez use of mass mobilizing techniques such as the famous march on Sacramento 1966 brought the grape strike and consumer boycott into the national eye. The boycott was responsible for pressuring the growers to recognize the United Farm Workers. The first contracts were signed in 1966, but were followed by more years of protest. In 1968, Chavez when on a fast for twenty-five days to protest against the increasing advocacy of violence within the union. Victory arrived on July 29th, 1970, when twenty-six Delano growers formally signed contracts recognizing the UFW and bringing peace to the
Chavez activism began in 1952 when he met a fellow activist and Catholic priest, Father Donald McDonnell, and Fred Ross an organizer with the Community Service Organization. Who later recruited Chavez to join his group, within a few years later, Chavez became a national director. Later, in 1962 he later resigned to devote his duties to organizing a union for farm workers. …show more content…
Within months Chavez and his union had became known nationally. He paved the way on the imagery of the civil rights movement, his consistency on violence, reliance on volunteers from urban universities’ and religious organizations. Chavez use of mass mobilizing techniques such as the famous march on Sacramento 1966 brought the grape strike and consumer boycott into the national eye. The boycott was responsible for pressuring the growers to recognize the United Farm Workers. The first contracts were signed in 1966, but were followed by more years of protest. In 1968, Chavez when on a fast for twenty-five days to protest against the increasing advocacy of violence within the union. Victory arrived on July 29th, 1970, when twenty-six Delano growers formally signed contracts recognizing the UFW and bringing peace to the