Activists of all stripes and sizes had been invited to Denver to a Catholic School to welcome the grape workers from Delano. The flyer announced that a bus would come, filled with workers who would join other boycott supporters in key cities across the country.
Many were skeptical that dropping off these workers would or could make a difference. After all, they were only farmworkers who had gone out on strike. They were not well-funded or educated community organizers.
Later we knew that many had never been outside of California… these were real campesinos / farm workers.
I had driven through heavy traffic to Denver from Boulder. Traffic was backed up since hundreds of others had beat me to the punch and had clogged the streets leading up to the Catholic school auditorium.
There, by the side of the school, was a weather-time-beaten blue and red bus with California plates. I wanted to board the bus and greet the farmworkers but there was already a small crowd gathering there, next to the bus, and it looked impossible.
I instead turned to go inside, scoping out a spot where I could see all of these farmworkers and their leader, Cesar Chavez, once they entered. I knew they would come in from the right back side of the hall and make their way to the front of the room, and I was in a good spot to take it all in.
I had a long coat and had moved into a key position, much like a security guard would have done. The room was noisy and thrilling with anticipation. There were Chicano leaders, Black Panthers, labor activists, religious leaders, and many students.
Who could believe that dropping off regular farmworkers could reenergize the boycott? Many of these workers, we found out later, could barely speak English. These were real grape workers who left everything behind, many losing their humble homes and some never returning to California. They were risking everything to empower the Grape Boycott and win a union contract.
I saw many activists from the area whom I knew and we were spectators there, watching this most interesting event. Suddenly there was some rustling at the back door… And there were the workers, lining up to come and meet the hundreds who had gathered for the welcoming to Denver.
As they were led in by Cesar and some labor leaders, the audience began to welcome them by standing up and clapping loudly, with some yelling ¡viva la huelga!, or ¡long live the strike!
I was amazed to see these farmworkers who looked like my parents and other workers’ parents that I had worked with in my youth days. Their clothes were of a humble class of American workers; no suits, no ties, no briefcases.
Cesar and the UFW were taking a big chance, a big gamble that these workers could make a difference. After many speeches, we were introduced to Junita and Alfredo Herrera, who were to lead the boycott in Denver. Juanita gave a nice warm message in Spanish, saying how happy she, her husband, and their two children were to be in Colorado.
Cesar had figured out that by having real grape pickers they could convince the public why they should support the boycott. They could tell of the long hours with no toilets, no rest periods, no protection from pesticides, and no sick leave… they could break down the hard work being done and why workers would need a contract.
Much to our surprise, it worked! The public trusted these workers and gave them the support they needed and worked with them to reduce or stop the purchase of grapes in many stores. These grape strikers won the hearts of all those who believed in justice and freedom.
It was not easy and it meant hard work and longer hours. It was challenging, and often they were attacked while on picket lines. They were called the worst names and sometimes even arrested.
These grape workers learned how to attract, organize and motivate people to stand with them and their historic Grape Boycott. These workers helped create the pressure force to push growers to negotiate and sign contracts.
Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and the UFW knew how to use the voice and spirit of grassroots workers, and how they could push a labor movement into the future.
Cesar Chavez Day on March 31 is a federal commemorative holiday, celebrated to honor the enduring legacy of the American labor rights hero. The day was initiated by former President Barack Obama in 2014. Born to migrant laborers, Chavez’s early life experiences shaped his leftist ideology and made him the face of the 1960s labor movement. Through his persistent efforts and non-violent protests, he became America’s lightning rod. On March 31, union members and community leaders come together to celebrate the life of this American icon and take inspiration from his four decades of selfless service to the workers of the United States.
