Cesar Chavez Movement Research Paper

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“Huelga! Huelga! Huelga!” grandma screamed alongside Cesar Chavez and hundreds of other protesters outside the Delano, California vineyards. The rays of the burning sun, searing their skin were the least of their concerns. Protesters were there to proclaim justice for all the farm workers that had been denied the right for proper working conditions in the fields. Bertha Silva came from a Mexican decedent, her parents moved to Delano, California when she was the age of 11. Soon after arriving, the family started working in the grape fields. Grandmother cultivated in the vines until the age of 22, when she was recruited into the Cesar Chavez movement. Silva joined the beautiful historic movement that would forever change the working conditions for farm workers.
Strike after strike, unified along with hundreds of voices throughout Delano, Salina, and Stockton union rose against Wine Corporations. Poverty denied grandmother school therefore wasn’t given the opportunity to learn to read or write. Silva supported the movement with great love and passion. At a young age, she was eager to be part of a union that helped inform workers about their rights. She tells that the credit union would gather out in the fields, sing along with guitars, and yell out “Si se puede!” meaning we can do this. The intensity rushing through her body brought her
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Silva had the strength to join a community of protestors in a rough time; she believed in justice and supported equality. She has shared many wonderful and awful adventures witnessed through her time supporting the riots. “The sacrifice and fighting for a better tomorrow was well worth it” she stated. I am happy to share that my grandma represents a proud movement in history. I am constantly reminded by Silva to follow my heart and that it only takes one person for change to happen. Si se

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