Editor’s note: As March 31, 2024, approaches, we reflect on the legacy of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, who bravely fought the injustices and exploitative labor practices of California’s biggest agribusinesses. Our Community Gardens Coordinator Raney wrote this blog post in English and Spanish. On Saturday, March 30, Petaluma Bounty will hold a special Day of Service volunteer day. Please click here to learn more and sign up.
Chávez and Huerta’s Non-Violent Fight for Farmworkers’ Rights
This March 31st, we will celebrate the legacy of César Chávez and honor the tireless efforts he and other dedicated organizers made to form the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) union in 1962 that later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). César Chávez and his co-organizer Dolores Huerta bravely fought the injustices and exploitative labor practices of California’s biggest agribusinesses. Huerta and Chávez organized massive popular campaigns to boycott grape and lettuce businesses throughout the country. They participated in and organized fasts, marches and non-violent movements that gained international attention and eventually brought success in requiring the agribusinesses to sign labor contracts for farm workers. César Chávez advocated strongly for the boycott movement as a way to pressure companies to treat workers with human rights, dignity and safe working conditions. César Chávez’s legacies remain vital in today’s continued exploitation and mistreatment of farm workers in the fields and farms of California, it is important to remember what he did and to continue his legacy by standing up against racism, violence, exploitation and injustice. Dolores Huerta at 93 years old continues to fight for the rights of workers and rights for all people. She continues to inspire popular movements against racial injustice, anti-immigrant sentiment, discrimination of women and the LQBTQ community, and has advocated for anti-war and peace movements around the country. Lets come together on Saturday March 30th to honor their legacies and make a commitment to our communities to stand up for what is right!
In her own words at a speech she gave on February 16th, 2003 in San Francisco she says, and we join her:
¡Viva La Paz!
¡Viva La Justicia!
¡Viva César Chávez!
¡Si, Se Puede!
Este 31 de Marzo celebraremos el legado de César Chávez y honraremos los incansables esfuerzos que él y otros dedicados organizadores hicieron para formar la Asociación Nacional de Trabajadores Agrícolas (NFWA) en 1962 que luego se convirtieron en los Trabajadores Agrícolas Unidos (UFW). César Chávez y su co-organizadora, Dolores Huerta, lucharon valientemente contra las injusticias y la explotación laboral de las mayores agroindustrias de California. Huerta y Chávez organizaron campañas populares masivas para boicotear los negocios de uvas y lechugas en todo el país. Participaron y organizaron ayunos, marchas y movimientos no violentos que ganaron la atención internacional y finalmente lograron exigir a las empresas agrícolas que firmaran contratos laborales para los trabajadores agrícolas. César Chávez abogó firmemente por el movimiento de boicot como una forma de presionar a las empresas para que traten a los trabajadores con derechos humanos, dignidad y condiciones laborales seguras. El legado de César Chávez sigue siendo vital en la continua explotación y maltrato actual de los trabajadores agrícolas en los campos y granjas de California, es importante recordar lo que hizo y continuar su legado al enfrentarse al racismo, la violencia, la explotación y la injusticia. Dolores Huerta a sus 93 años sigue luchando por los derechos de los trabajadores y los derechos de todas las personas. Continúa inspirando movimientos populares contra la injusticia racial, el sentimiento antiinmigrante, la discriminación de las mujeres y la comunidad LGBTQ, abogó por los movimientos pacifistas y contra la guerra en todo el país.
¡Reunámonos el sábado 30 de Marzo para honrar sus legados y comprometernos con nuestras comunidades a defender lo que es correcto!
En sus propias palabras en un discurso que pronunció el 16 de febrero de 2003 en San Francisco, dice y nos unimos a ella:
¡Viva La Paz!
¡Viva La Justicia!
¡Viva César Chávez!
¡Si, Se Puede!
¡Si, Se Puede! • Yes, We Can!
Yes, We Can!By Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
How did César do it?
Asking farm workers to walk out of their jobs.
¡Huelga! Strike!
¡Viva La Causa! Long live The Cause
for freedom, dignity, and respect!
How did César do it?
Leading a 300-mile peregrinación
of campesinos
From Delano to Sacramento.
Limping on blistered feet,
The Aztec eagle on their union flag flying.
How did César do it?
Not eating at times.
A “Fast for Love”
to draw attention to nonviolence.
A “Fast for Life”
to draw attention to nonviolence.
A “Fast for Life”
to draw attention to the world
to campesinos with breathing difficulties,
campesinos with skin rashes,
campesinos dying of cancer
because of pesticides
that the government insisted
did no harm.
How did César do it?
Asking people to boycott
grapes and lettuce
until the campesinos
could get better ways to live,
ways… to live.
Much good came out of it.
“Farm workers are struggling out
of their poverty and powerlessness.”
“Sí, se puede! Yes, we can!”
“The answer lies with you and me.”
Credits and Works Cited
“Farm workers are struggling out”: Jensen and Hammerback, The Words of César Chaves, p. 64.
“Si, se puede!”: McGregor, Remembering César, p.5.
“The answer lies”: Ibid, p.12.