Cesar Chavez was a Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist.
Cesar Chavez Practiced Non-Violence
Chavez grew up working in the fields of California with his parents. It’s notoriously backbreaking work in an environment that can be very hazardous.
The co-founder of the United Farm Workers union is remembered for improving the lives of agricultural laborers through nonviolent methods.
Allied With Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Chavez wrote that he learned the non-violence approach from Rev. Dr. King. In a way, Chavez is the Latino Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1966 Dr. King sent Chavez a telegram that included these words:
Our separate struggles are really one – a struggle for freedom, for dignity and for humanity.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Telegram to Cesar Chavez, 1966
We have a long, shameful history in the United States of using the police to attack union organizers and members. Being non-violent in the face of state violence is a very hard, but noble thing.
Both leaders showed what can be accomplished when we work together. Our country needs the spirit of both of these great Americans to get our nation through the trials of the day.
We Need Unions
Throughout history, there is an endless struggle between owners and workers. Work gets out of balance when either side gets too powerful.
Right now, owners have too much power so the pay gap between owners and workers has become terribly unequitable and is causing social problems. We need some sort of balance.
32BJ SEIU is One of NYC’s Biggest Unions
New York City is an urban environment, not a farm environment. One of New York’s biggest unions is SEIU 32BJ, the Service Employees International Union.
It has 175,000 members who are the Essential Workers that keep New York City moving. They are cleaners, maintenance workers, doormen, security, building engineers, school and food service workers, railroad and factory workers. We are the people who make New York City work.
Cesar Chavez Day
Cesar Chavez Day celebrates his birthday in Yuma, Arizona on March 31, 1927.