Cesar Chavez (1924-1997)
Cesar Chavez was a migrant farm worker who sought to improve the lives of other migrant workers. He served as national director of the Community Service Organization before resigning in 1962 to focus on organizing a union for farm workers. He called for non-violent struggles for justice and used strikes, boycotts and other forms of civil disobedience to improve conditions for migrant workers. Eventually strikes and boycotts caused 26 grape growers in California to recognize the United Farm Workers union in 1970 but growers continued to break contracts. Chavez provided leadership for 30 years, protesting violence and urging cooperation between growers and workers. The union continues to protect the rights of migrant laborers from unfair treatment on the part of employers.
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SPECTRUM Biographies - Cesar Chavez