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Quote by Cesar Chavez

“Farm workers everywhere are angry and worried that we cannot win without violence. We have proved it before through persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice. We can win and keep our own self-respect and build a great union that will secure the spirit of all people if we do it through a re-dedication and re-commitment to the struggle for justice through non-violence.”

Quote by Cesar Chavez

Author

Cesar Chavez was a prominent civil rights activist who dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of farm workers in the United States. Born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, Arizona, Chavez grew up in a migrant farmworker family and experienced firsthand the hardships faced by agricultural laborers. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in 1962, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Through nonviolent protest, boycotts, and strikes, Chavez fought for fair wages, better working conditions, and improved living standards for farm workers. His efforts led to significant changes in the agricultural industry and inspired countless others to join the fight for social justice. more

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“Imagine the National Guard being called against a group of peaceful people. How far can we get; how disgraceful can it become? It's the most disgraceful, the most wicked thing I've seen in all my years of organizing farm labor.”

People Years Imagine Groups Labor Peaceful Wicked Farms Non Violence Disgraceful National Guard Wicked Things

Author:Cesar Chavez

“Non violence means people in action. People have to understand that with non-violence goes a hell of a lot of organization.”

People Mean Action Hell Violence Organization Non Violence Mean People

Author:Cesar Chavez

“Non-violence has suffered its biggest defeat in the hands of people who most want to talk about it.”

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“Non-violence is very weak in the theoretical sense; it cannot defend itself. But it is most powerful in the action situation where people are using non-violence because they want desperately to bring about some change. Non-violence in action is a very potent force and it can't be stopped. The people who are struggling have the complete say-so. No man-made law, no human ruler, no army can destroy this. There is no way it can be destroyed... And so, if we have the capacity to endure, if we have the patience, things will change.”

People Ifs Men Way Want Humans Made Action Law Force Powerful Situation Struggle Violence Capacity Weak Army Endure Destroyed Most Powerful Rulers Theoretical Non Violence

Author:Cesar Chavez

“When workers fall back on violence, they are lost. Oh, they might win some of their demands and might end a strike a little earlier, but they give up their imagination, their creativity, their will to work hard and to suffer for what they believe is right.”

Giving Believe Littles Ends Hard Might Suffering Fall Winning Lost Imagination Creativity Violence Hard Work Demand Giving Up Workers Strikes Non Violence Fall Back

Author:Cesar Chavez

“...many have the idea that organizing people is very difficult, but it isn't. It becomes difficult only at the point where you begin to see other things that are easier. But if you are willing to give the time and make the sacrifice, it's not that difficult to organize.”

People Ifs Giving Ideas Difficult Sacrifice Willing Easier Organize

Author:Cesar Chavez

“I think one of the great, great problems...is confusing people to the point where they become immobile. In fact, the more things people can find out for themselves, the more vigor the organization is going to have.”

People Thinking Facts Problem Organization Confusing Vigor

Author:Cesar Chavez

“If they had $2.00 for food, they had to give $1.00 to the union. Otherwise, they would never get out of the trap of poverty. They would never have a union because they couldn't afford to sacrifice a little bit more on top of their misery.”

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Book:The Words of César Chávez

Source: The Words of César Chávez

“Money is not going to organize the disadvantaged, the powerless, or the poor. We need other weapons. That's why the War on Poverty is such a miserable failure. You put out a big pot of money and all you do is fight over it. Then you run out of money and you run out of troops.”

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Source: The Words of César Chávez

“Organizing is an educational process. The best educational process in the union is the picket line and the boycott. You learn about life.”

Process Lines Unions Educational Boycott Best Education

Author:Cesar Chavez