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>> The 1960s were a time
of enormous civil unrest.
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Demonstrations, face-offs,
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and riots characterized the political
climate as the nation coiled in tension.
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In California, a man named
Cesar Chavez led a strike
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of migrant farm workers demanding higher
wages and better working conditions.
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The strike was part of the civil rights movement
that addressed the needs of farmworkers.
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It was a turning point in America's history.
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He envisioned equality and social change,
not just for farm workers but for all people.
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A leader of people who didn't have
a voice, he would grow to become one
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of the most respected civil rights
leaders of the 20th century.
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[ Music ]
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>> The United Farm Workers Union is the
only successful union ever established
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to defend the rights of those
who grow and harvest the crops.
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Cesar Chavez and a small
group of followers traveled up
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and down California valleys
where they grew crops.
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Chavez and his followers invited farm workers
to join their new organization by talking
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to them and holding house meetings.
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The process was slow but effective.
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>> The famous boycott on grapes
demanded justice without a doubt.
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Farm workers began a national
boycott of all the table grapes.
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Striking farm workers spread out across the
country to try and stop the selling of grapes.
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More than 14 million Americans
helped by not buying grapes --
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only the ones with the United
Farm Workers stamp.
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The Delano Growers were not
making money, so they finally gave
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in and signed historical contracts.
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Some of the things the farm workers won was
protection from the dangerous pesticides,
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a raise in wages, and fresh water.
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The signing of the grapes contract was
a major victory for the farm workers.
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>> One of the most memorable
strikes was the march to Sacramento.
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Chavez led a 300-mile pilgrimage from
Delano to the California State Capitol.
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A banner with the image of the
Virgen de Guadalupe led the way.
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The number of people in the march began small.
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Later on, the number began to increase
as more people joined the march.
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They arrived in Sacramento on Easter Sunday
and met in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
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>> In order to revive the moment, Cesar
Chavez put his own body on the line.
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Chavez began a hunger strike inspired
by Gandhi's nonviolent protest.
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Unfortunately, Chavez became very
sick because of the lack of nutrition.
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Many farm workers were inspired
and participated.
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The hunger strike became known on the
news and Robert Kennedy celebrated the end
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of the hunger strike with Cesar Chavez.
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The United Farm Workers became a
significant force on the national politics.
