by Miriam Pawel
4 no ordinary strike “Guerilla Warfare in the Grapes,” Movement, Oct. 1965
5 “We are stopping them” El Malcriado, no. 21
6 Hundreds rallied “Strike in the Grapes,” Movement, Oct. 1965
7 “stay on the offensive” Tape of Jan. 27, 1969, meeting, UFWA
8 complaints were filed Kenny to FAA, Nov. 4, 1965, NFWA, Box 1, Folder 5
9 “could well ruin farmers” Willinger to Msgr. Cornelius Higgins, Diocese of Sacramento, Nov. 19, 1965, AALA, Folder 1965
10 “troublesome days” Bell to Willinger, n.d., AALA, Folder 1965
11 “They have the money” El Malcriado, no. 21
12 “As a Mexican” El Excéntrico, Feb. 5, 1964, ETC, Series 3, Box 1
13 “unbourgeois theater” “The Tale of La Raza,” Ramparts, Jul. 1966
14 “Here was Cesar” Ibid.
15 “civil rights forces” Council of CA Growers newsletter, Nov. 1, 1965, SJVFLC
16 158 job actions Thompson, “Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee”
17 “third force” Council of CA Growers newsletter, Oct. 4, 1965, SJVFLC
18 “A movement is underway” Hartmire to action mailing list, Jan. 25, 1966, Hartmire papers
19 arrested all forty-four Arrest report, NFWA, Box 6, Folder 15
20 “win this strike” “Reuther Pledges Coast Strike Aid,” New York Times, Dec. 17, 1965
21 “We’re poor” Chavez, Ross Tapes.
22 “felt like they were equal” Ibid.
23 “lost our independence” Ganz, Why David Sometimes Wins, 144
24 “in community organizing” “Cesar Chavez Talks About Organizing,” Movement, Dec. 1965
25 “only way I know” Ibid.
26 “We’re experimenting” Movement, Oct. 1965
Chapter 12
Sources: Movement; author interviews with Cannon, Coffman, Cousino, Frankel, Goepel, Hartmire, Murguia, Valdez, and Zaninovich.
1 “Without hesitation” Goepel to Alinsky, mid-Nov. 1965, IAF Austin, Box 527
2 “Estimado amigo” Chavez, Oct. 6 1965, NFWA, Box 10, Folder 8
3 “a real movement” Chavez to Friends of SNCC, Oct. 5, 1965, Hartmire papers
4 drew parallels James Farmer to CORE chapters, Dec. 17, 1965, Mike Miller papers, FMDP
5 “no relevant middle ground” Hartmire, Jan. 1966, Hartmire papers
6 used codes Chavez notes, UFWOC, Box 2, Folder 2
7 jumped a train Coffman interview
8 “here to help” “Delano Farm Workers Get Kennedy Pledge of Help,” Fresno Bee, Mar. 16, 1966
9 “the simple truth” Transcript of Mar. 16, 1966, hearing, NFWA, Box 6, Folder 15
10 memorable exchange Ibid.
11 march became a pilgrimage Chavez, in Ross Tapes; Ganz, 148
12 “wanted us to arrest them” Dunne, 132
13 promised Cesar a crowd Manuel Chavez, Ross Tapes
14 “Walking along the freeway?” Huelga, on FMDP
15 “in the past” Transcript in JEL Box 6, Folder 200
16 “ours, all ours” “Plan de Delano,” in possession of author
17 “more Mexican than Catholic” “An Interview with Cesar Chavez,” Jeff Dietrich, Catholic Agitator, May 1977
18 “the penance part” JEL, Box 6, Folder 200
19 “every step” Chavez in Ross Tapes
20 Kircher put on old clothes Kircher, Oct. 19, 1973, TAY, Box 9, Folder 16
21 “more than 5,000” Transcript of CA Grape and Tree Fruit League meeting, Mar. 24, 1966, SJVFLC
22 “Labor history was written” “Schenley to Bargain with Grape Union,” New York Times, Apr. 7 1966
23 sleeping arrangements Logistics of march, notes, NFWA, Box 12, Folder 1
24 “my wife, Helen” Cassette tape, Apr. 10, 1966, UFWA
25 “flames of class struggle” Delano Record, Apr. 12, 1966
26 “even the score” Transcript of news conference, Oct. 23, 1966, Drake papers, Box 1, Wayne State
Chapter 13
Sources: Ross interviewed by Levy; NFWA papers; Ross Tapes; Dunne, Delano; Jon Lewis photographs on FMDP; author interviews with Chatfield, Cousino, Frankel, Ganz, Hartmire, Medina, Serda, and Valdez.
1 The DiGiorgio empire Robert DiGiorgio, Oral History, conducted 1983, Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley
2 trying to convince Ibid.
3 violent confrontation Ross, JEL, Box 6, Folder 196; “Grape Strike Brawl,” Los Angeles Times, Apr. 22, 1966
4 “wants to be an organizer” Ross Papers, Box 24, Folder 2
5 “return the growers’ violence” Quoted by John Moyer in Journal of Current Social Issues, Autumn 1972
6 “Ida had sat slumped” Ross Papers, Box 24, Folder 21
7 lock on the phone Minutes of meeting, Jul. 11, 1966, OOP1, Box 44, Folder 11
8 “It’s tough enough” Dunne, Delano, 153
9 Serda decided to risk Serda interview
10 “strategic importance” Hartmire to Forrest Weir, Jul. 5, 1966, Hartmire papers
11 “a brilliant guy” Ross, Sep. 21, 1973, TAY, Box 9, Folder 17
12 “They’re animals” Dunne, Delano, 140
13 “give up a lot” Ibid., 149
14 DiGiorgio handed out leaflets Ibid., 160
15 El Mosquito Zumbador NFWA, Box 12, Folder 1
16 $10,000-a-month subsidy Kircher to Meany, May 16, 1966, Meany Archives, AWOC: RG28-002
17 “servants of the union” Dunne, Delano, 156
18 going to get dirty Interviews with Frankel and Cousino
19 Jimmy the Greek Ganz, Why David Sometimes Wins, 197
20 “we will be victorious” Dunne, Delano, 163
21 “We didn’t have the credibility” Chavez in JEL, Box 3, Folder 162
Chapter 14
Sources: Author interviews with Cousino, Esher, Goepel, Haber, Hartmire, Lynch, Orendain, Liza H. Medina, Moses, Murguia, and Valdez.
1 “has to work more” Movement, Dec. 1965
2 “the hardheaded guy” Tape of retreat, Jan. 27, 1969, UFWA
3 He divided people Ibid.
4 Richard Chavez recalled Richard Chavez, Ross Tapes
5 “only one name” Orendain Oral History, Jul. 20, 1971, University of Texas at Arlington
6 “never change our kids” JEL Box 1, Folder 134
7 “tedious work” JEL Box 1, Folder 138
8 Day began his ministry Delano Grapevine newsletter, Jan. 1968, in possession of author
9 dozens of telegrams AALA, Folder 1968
10 “really like that a lot” Mattheissen, Sal Si Puedes, 232
11 “make the babies” Several people quote Helen Chavez as saying this
12 “this little hole” Tape of Jan. 4, 1969, meeting, UFWA
13 “never said no” Ibid.
14 “I may be wrong” JEL Box 1, Folder 138
15 on the payroll List of salaries, UFWOC, Box 6, Folder 9
16 “a paid staff” Movement, Dec. 1965
17 “a floor to sleep on” Chavez letter, Oct. 6, 1965, NFWA, Box 10, Folder 8
18 “pay is five dollars” Diary of students, Apr. 12–19, 1966, NFWA, Box 10, Folder 8
19 dues would total 1967 UFWOC LM2 report, U.S. Department of Labor
20 Kushner wrote Kushner to Huerta, Jul. 27, 1967, OOP2, Box 46, Folder 10
21 Chavez called Bill Esher Account of board meetings from detailed minutes taken by Philip Vera Cruz, Vera Cruz papers, Wayne State, Box 2, Folder 7; Chavez index cards on meetings with those to be purged, Drake papers, Box 2, Folder 15; author interviews with Valdez, Goepel, Haber, and Esher
22 “Cesar suspects” Vera Cruz papers, Box 2, Folder 7
23 Teatro traveled East Newport Folk Festival program, news stories, ETC, Series 14, Box 1
24 “best ones are still here” Matthiessen, 173
25 told she must choose Vera Cruz minutes
26 “farmworkers’ cathedral” Tape of Chavez and Chatfield, Nov. 19, 1968, UFWA
28 “the spiritual center” Chavez interview, FMDP, http://www.farmworkermovement.com/media/oral_history/swf/chavezinterviewA.swf
29 “once seemed a dream” Delano Grapevine newsletter, Jan. 1968
Chapter 15
Sources: Interviews on Ross Tapes with Cesar Chavez, Richard Chavez, Manuel Chavez, LeRoy Chatfield and Mark Day; Chavez interviews in JEL; Chatfield, Cohen, and Vera Cruz diaries; Kern County court records; author interviews with Chatfield, Cohen, Day, Drake, Edelman, Ganz, Hartmire, Hirsch, Moses, Murguia, and Orendain.
1 fine no-shows Minutes of Jan. 19, 1968, meeting, Drake papers, Box 2, Folder 37
2 “he made experiments” Chavez, May 6, 1969, JEL, Box 1, Folder 132
3 the “Research Committee” Interviews with Hirsch, Orendain; essays by Hirsch and Reyes on FMDP
4 “all the dirty work” Cassette tape, “Cesar—NY Boycott,” UFWA
5 Giumarra charged Kern County Court records, Giumarra vs. UFWOC
6 Rumors circulated Tape of Ross, Day, and Chatfield, Mar. 1969, FWDP
7 “keep in mind” Ibid.
8 “fasting as a prayer” Moses letter, Marion Moses papers, Wayne State
9 “trying to play God” Huerta, May 7, 1969, JEL, Box 5, Folder 184
10 “playing for all the marbles” Cohen journal, Cohen papers, Box 2, Folder 8
11 “pray for me” Chavez to Manning, Feb. 20, 1968, AALA
12 “fast of Cesar Chavez” Cohen papers, Box 2, Folder 11
13 “expressed my amazement” Duggan autobiography, FMDP
14 Orendain refused Interview with Orendain
15 “Had Cesar the right” Vera Cruz journal, Vera Cruz papers, Box 3, Folder 8, Wayne State
16 “wholly irrational reversal” Hirsch, “Some personal notes on Delano,” Jun. 2, 1968, Kircher papers, Box 13, Folder 2, Wayne State
17 “the redemption of Manuel” Cohen papers, Box 2, Folder 8
18 “gringo justice” Tape of meeting, Jan. 27, 1969, UFWA
19 “marred our image” Chatfield journal, Mar. 2, 1969, courtesy of Bruce Perry
20 “your ears pop” Chavez, Ross Tapes
21 “beautiful floating feeling” Ibid.
22 “Just pray to God” Richard Chavez, Ross Tapes
23 Kennedy expressed concern Peter Edelman Interview #1, Jul. 15, 1969, RFK Oral History Collection, JFK Presidential Library
24 “on the way down” Cohen journal, Box 2, Folder 11
25 dodged a dozen questions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNJ_6KfnX8k
26 What do you say Chavez notes, OOP1, Box 5, Folder 7
27 run for president Edelman interview
28 “I marched with Cesar” Robert F. Kennedy Papers, Speeches, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
29 Juana Chavez sent Bruce Perry taped interview with Helen Pedotti, n.d., courtesy of Perry
30 Democratic registration Office files of Marvin Watson, Box 2, LBJ Presidential Library
31 Chavez blocked out May Chavez 1968 datebook; Drake files, Box 2, Folder 34; Chavez, Ross Tapes
32 “We were extremely popular” Chavez, JEL, June 27–29, 1969, Box 1, Folder 134
33 Sheridan watched Chavez Walter Sheridan, Aug. 13, 1969, RFK Oral History collection, JFK Presidential Library
34 On election eve Ibid.
35 “sooner or later” Cohen to Roger, n.d., courtesy of Jerry Cohen
Chapter 16
Sources: JEL tapes; Farm Labor Files; Chatfield journal; author interviews with Chatfield, Hartmire, Mason, Matthiessen, and Moses.
1 happy to help Matthiessen interview
2 “Indian’s bow nose” Matthiessen, Sal Si Puedes, 6
3 “introduced as a saint” Chavez, Dec. 8, 1969, JEL, Box 1, Folder 139
4 confirmation name Mark Hurley to Chavez, Mar. 27, 1970, ADMIN, Box 5, Folder 10
5 called Bill Kircher Kircher interview, Oct. 19, 1973, TAY, Box 9, Folder 16
6 recite the Hail Mary Chatfield journal, Sep. 12, 1968
7 officer was stationed Chatfield journal, Sep. 13, 1968
8 Chatfield wrote twice Chatfield to Manning, Jun. 14 and 21, 1968, AALA, Folder 1968
9 “creating a crisis” Chatfield journal, Sep. 15, 1968
10 “sooner or later” Huerta, Apr. 1969, JEL, Box 5, Folder 184
11 “sounded like a messiah” Ibid.
12 “too saintly” Drake interviewed by Pat Hoffman, on FMDP
13 hung a photo Matthiessen, 323
14 read his draft Matthiessen interview
15 $900 check Chatfield journal, Dec. 5, 1968
16 “stab of genius” Chatfield journal, Mar. 1, 1969
17 “get everybody involved” Chatfield and Chavez., tape, Nov. 19, 1968, UFWA
18 “How in hell” Itliong, Apr. 4, 1969, JEL, Box 5, Folder 185
19 Meeting at his house Tape of Jan. 14, 1969, meeting, UFWA
20 “Cesar Chavez’s union” Ibid.
21 “In a confrontation” Ibid.
22 raised his biggest threat Chatfield journal; Kircher, Oct. 19, 1973, TAY Box 9, Folder 16
23 “He sees himself” Matthiessen, 284
24 “pull a Joseph Stalin” Jan. 14, 1969, tape
25 “one man organization” Itliong, JEL, Box 5, Folder 185
26 “people of heart” Jan. 14, 1969, tape
27 “But he is a man” Hirsch, “Some personal notes on Delano,” Jun. 2, 1968, in Kircher papers, Box 13, Folder 2, Wayne State
28 “some serious doubts” Mason, Apr. 26, 1969, JEL Box 6, Folder 188
29 “I’m single-minded” Jan. 14, 1969, tape
30 “As his leadership inevitably extends” Matthiessen, 173
Chapter 17
Sources: Hartmire and Medina papers; author interviews with Cohen, Fitch, Ganz, Hartmire, Medina, and Serda.
1 Giumarra owned Brown, “The United Farm Workers Grape Strike”
2 “their only weapon” UFWOC v. Superior Court of the State of California, Aug. 28, 1967, court files
3 they talked good-naturedly Tape of boycotters meeting, Dec. 1967, FMDP, Ross Tapes
4 “Cesar is the main reason” “Labor,” 1969, Medina papers
5 “They are immoral” Notes from Jul. 5, 1968, cabinet meeting, Reagan Library, GO Box 24, Folder Jun. 1968
6 “If the boycott spreads” Notes from Jul. 16, 1968, cabinet meeting, Reagan Library, GO Box 25, Folder Jul. 1968
7 dipped precipitously Roger Mahony notes, Jan. 5, 1970, AALA, Folder 1970
8 “negotiating from power” Chavez, Jun. 26, 1969, JEL, Box 1, Folder 134
9 “created an image” Commonwealth Club of California minutes, Aug. 7, 1969, SJVFLC
10 ban grapes from dining halls “La Raza Comes to Campus,” http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/la_raza2.htm
11 “do business with Hitler” Food Merchants Advocate, May 1969
12 “growers are bleeding” Chavez to Ganz, Mar. 9, 1969, ADMIN, Box 26, Folder 25
13 “left foot is considerably larger” Tape of Travell visit, Mar. 15, 1969, UFWA
14 “The Grapes of War” Defense Department fact sheet, Hartmire papers
15 conscientious objector Chavez, May 9, 1969, JEL, Box 1, Folder 132
16 “he is my son” Ibid.
17 “You do your trick” Chavez, JEL, Box 1, Folder 136
18 At a Chicago rally Chicago Sun-Times, Nov. 13, 1969
19 Chavez found time Chavez, JEL, Box 1, Folder 139
20 “Todos bien” Cesar to Richard, Helen Chavez, Dec. 15, 1969, INFO, Box 51, Folder 36
21 “I have grown” Govea, Montreal Boycott files, Box 3, Delano Correspondence folder
22 “bigger and better things” Chavez to Ganz, Feb. 4, 1970, OOP2, Box 19, Folder 3
23 “We go up and down” Chavez, Mar. 1970, JEL, Box 1, Folder 138
Chapter 18
Sources: Bishops’ committee reports and Mahony notes; Levy notes on negotiations; Ross
Tapes; Harvard Business School case studies; author interviews with Cohen, Marguleas, Moses, Reynoso, and Saatjian.
1 “going 80 miles” Chavez, Ross Tapes
2 price of Larson’s grapes Harvard Business School case study 4-374-069, in author’s possession
3 Saatjian’s Methodist congregation Saatjian interview
4 Steinberg invited Chavez home Chavez, JEL, Folder 163
5 dropped from eighty-five “Grower Ranks Cut by Grape Boycott,” Los Angeles Times, Mar. 24, 1970
6 “like a noose” Steinberg, Jun. 11, 1971, JEL, Box 6, Folder 198
7 “writing history” Lucey to Chavez, Aug. 13, 1968, AALA, Folder 1968
8 “no disposition” Mar. 3, 1970, Donnelly to bishops’ committee, Report on Week of Mar. 2, 1970, AALA, Folder 1970
9 “As in the early days” Ibid.
10 “the word racism” “First Grapes With Union Label Shipped to Market,” New York Times, May 31, 1970
11 bishops arranged separate meetings Account of negotiations from notes of Roger Mahony, AALA, Folder 1970, and Jacques Levy notes
12 “a lot like Vietnam” “Why They Signed with the Union,” Farm Quarterly, Sep.–Oct. 1970
13 “learned to like Chavez” Ibid.
14 Giumarra Jr. was so angry Mahony to bishops’ committee, Apr. 7, 1970, AALA, Folder 1970
15 “put the squeeze” Chavez to Mahony, May 13, 1970, AALA, Folder 1970
16 “Cesar couldn’t bear” Matthiessen, 240
17 “wipe them out” May 11, 1970, memo, ADMIN3, Box 95, Folder 34
18 “power goes to the head” Chavez, JEL, Box 2, Folder 142
19 drew two ships Levy notes, JEL, Box 2, Folder 142
20 joined the betting “Date on which Giumarra calls Cesar,” OOP1, Box 5, Folder 8
21 “a little push” Levy tape, n.d., circa Jun. 1970
22 “Some blue chips” Levy notes, Jul. 8, 1970, JEL, Box 2, Folder 145
23 “make a mint” Levy tape, n.d.
24 Feick agreed to ask Chronology from Mahony handwritten notes, in Folder 1970, and Mahony to Ad-hoc Committee on Farm Labor, Jul. 23, 1970, AALA; Levy notes, JEL Box 41, Folder 783
25 “this is like heaven” Jul. 16, 1970, JEL, Tape 57
26 “ever seen him as happy” Fred Ross Jr. to Chavez, Dec. 8, 1970, OOP2, Box 46, Folder 5
27 Tensions at the school Mark Day, Forty Acres (Praeger, 1971), 80; El Malcriado, Apr. 1, 1969, and Jul. 1, 1970
