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The Crusades of Cesar Chavez

Page 63

by Miriam Pawel


  25 the “Illegals Campaign” Tape of Jun.11–14, 1974, NEB, UFWA

  26 “get the illegals out of California” Chavez memo to all entities, May 24, 1974, in possession of author

  27 directed Jerry Cohen to retaliate Tape of Oct. 12–15, 1974, NEB, UFWA

  28 “let’s go after them” Tape of Jun. 11–14, 1974, NEB

  29 “come here to become rich” Chavez, Mar. 17, 1974, JEL, Box 4, Folder 171

  30 one of his companions disappeared “UFW Brings Picketing Back,” Yuma Daily Sun, Jan. 6, 1975

  31 dismissed questions about violence “Chavez Accepts $5,000 Check,” Yuma Daily Sun, Jan. 10, 1975

  32 Cesar appeared with Manuel “Police Brutality is Chavez’s Complaint,” Yuma Daily Sun, Jan. 31, 1975

  33 vegetarian diet Taylor interview, Oct. 14, 1973, TAY, Box 8, Folder 18

  34 the royal “we” President’s Oct. 1974 report to NEB, in possession of author

  35 Paul Hall lectured Chavez Levy notes, Sep. 26, 1973, JEL Tape 123

  36 “trying to build a union” Richard Chavez to Levy, Jun. 1974, JEL, Box 4, Folder 173

  37 “Poor Peoples Union” Tape of Dec. 16–23, 1974, NEB

  38 meeting with Fred Ross Notes on Jan. 29, 1975, meeting, Ross Papers, Box 12, Folder 3

  39 “life can have meaning” Hartmire, “The United Farm Workers Are Alive and Well,” Oct. 1974, Hartmire papers

  40 “he’s an idealist” Meany interview, Aug. 29, 1974, AALA, Folder 1974

  41 told Sally Quinn “Indefatigable Cesar Chavez,” Washington Post, May, 4, 1975

  42 “God and his wife, Helen” La Voz de Pueblo, Nov/Dec. 1972

  43 “just the same old guy” Jan. 13, 1974, TAY, Box 9, Folder 1

  Chapter 26

  Sources: Levy interviews with Cohen and Nathan; Tapes of NEB meetings, Dec. 17–23, 1973, Jun. 11–14, Oct. 12–15, Dec. 16–23, 1974, and Mar. 25–28, 1975; author interviews with Cohen, Dalzell, and Nathan.

  1 sick to his stomach Cohen interview and tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  2 “run out of time” Tape of Dec. 17–23, 1973, NEB, UFWA

  3 hold firm Tape of Jun.11–14, 1974, NEB, UFWA

  4 “get those bastards out” Tape of Dec. 16–23, 1974, NEB, UFWA

  5 “We have to introduce legislation” Tape of Oct. 12–15, 1974, NEB, UFWA

  6 inaugural address http://governors.library.ca.gov/addresses/34-Jbrown01.html

  7 “problem is going to be our friends” Tape of Dec. 16–23, 1974, NEB

  8 “go after Gallo” Tape of Oct.12–15, 1974, NEB

  9 “self-confident picture” Mahony report to Ad-Hoc Farm Labor Committee, Jan. 27, 1975, AALA, Folder 1975

  10 invited Zaninovich Mahony to Zaninovich, Mar. 8, 1975, AALA, Folder 1975

  11 Gallo also told Mahony Mahony notes, Jan. 7, 1975, AALA, Folder 1975

  12 marchers reached Modesto Tape of rally in Modesto, Mar. 1, 1975, UFWA

  13 phones began to ring Dalzell to Chavez, Mar. 7, 1975, Dalzell papers

  14 Chavez told the board Tape of Mar. 25–28, 1975, NEB, UFWA

  15 “farmworkers are not the status quo” Brown, Paradigm Productions, 1995, FMDP

  16 “we made some deals” Tape of Mar. 25–28, 1975, NEB

  17 Brown asked Chavez Details of negotiation from Levy interview with Chavez, Aug. 1, 1975, JEL, Box 29, Folder 572; Brown interview, Paradigm; and Mar. 1975 NEB

  18 Chavez sent back word Dalzell to Chavez, Apr. 11, 1975, Dalzell papers

  19 “That is part of their plan” Mahony to Manning, Apr. 27, 1975, AALA, Folder 1975

  20 argument he had used with growers Brown interview, Paradigm Productions

  21 “The whole fight’s going to change” Chavez, May 17, 1975, JEL, Box 29, Folder 575

  Chapter 27

  Sources: Transcript of UFW 1975 convention; transcripts of ALRB hearings and election records of the ALRB; Govea papers; tapes of NEB meetings, Jun. 13–18, Sep. 22, and Oct. 10, 1975; author interviews with Cohen, Ganz, Medina, Nathan, and Washburn.

  1 “I said, ‘March!’” Chavez, Aug. 1, 1975, JEL, Box 29, Folder 572

  2 “like a common language” Ibid.

  3 “incredibly chaotic” Tape of NEB, Jun. 13–18, 1975, UFWA

  4 “The sacrifice, they understand” JEL interview, Aug. 1, 1975

  5 assigned Medina to handle Jun. 13–18, 1975, NEB

  6 Cathy Murphy’s first impression http://infocus.gettyimages.com/post/cathy-murphy-how-photographing-cesar-chavez-changed-my-life

  7 “the dignity of the worker” Press conference, Sep. 14, 1975, JEL, ALRA Tape 11

  8 “our time has come” Transcript of 1975 UFW Convention, WORK, Box 7, Folder 7

  9 “This one breaks my heart” Tape of Oct. 10, 1975, NEB, UFWA

  10 “a reign of terror” Chavez press conference, Sep. 10, 1975, JEL, ALRA Tape 11

  11 “most frustrating in the history” Tape of Sep. 22, 1975, NEB, UFWA

  12 “just get the Chicano community” Oct. 10, 1975, NEB

  13 conducted 329 elections Records of the ALRB

  14 “you win them, or you lose” Tape of Feb. 15–21, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  15 “It changed everything” Chavez interview in Sojourners, Oct. 1977

  16 “People will sacrifice” Tape of Jul. 23–24, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  17 “What kind of time schedule” Sep. 22, 1975, NEB

  18 “a Christmas present” Gardner to Ross, Dec. 20, 1975, Ross Papers, Box 2, Folder 4

  19 “what made the movement” Tape of Jun. 13–18, 1975, NEB

  20 192 victories First Annual Report of the ALRB, ALRB

  Chapter 28

  Sources: Tapes of NEB meetings, Feb. 16–21, Jun. 13–15, Jul. 24, Sep. 14–15, 1976, and Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977; Medina papers; author interviews with Cohen, Ganz, Hartmire, Medina, and Milne.

  1 “We’re people people” Tape of Feb. 16–21, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  2 Milne was sold Milne interview

  3 Chavez told the board Feb. 16–21, 1976, NEB

  4 “We must be missionary” Transcript, Jul. 6–8, 1976, ADMIN, Box 29, Folder 21

  5 only fifteen contracts Feb. 16–21, 1976, NEB

  6 “string around your neck” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  7 “delegate more” Tape of Chavez and staff, n.d., 1976, UFWA

  8 West Foods Medina notes, Medina papers

  9 “no surprises” Chavez to Medina, Jul. 21, 1976, Medina papers

  10 he recalled happily Tape of Sep. 14, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  11 “The first contract” Ibid.

  12 Harris poll Long Beach Telegram, Oct. 20, 1975

  13 “one remarkable leader” Jack Newfield, Village Voice, May 10, 1976

  14 “We’re here to stay” “After Push, After Shove,” Chicago Tribune, May 9, 1976

  15 he wanted to proceed Medina notes, Medina papers

  16 “all of us grabbed hoses” Minutes of May 3–4, 1976, debriefing, UFW 1986 Accession Box 55 [Note: The 1986 Accession has been recently combined with the UFW Administration Records; I use the box numbers where I originally found the documents.]

  17 the arguments against Tape of Jun. 13, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  18 Democratic National Convention Tape of Jul. 24, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  19 Can we win? Ibid.

  20 “a real problem” Transcript, Jul. 27, 1976, UFW 1986 Accession, Box 54

  21 “We’re getting burned” Tape of Sep. 15, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  22 spearheaded the opposition Advertisement from NFWM newsletter, Fall 1976, Hartmire papers; Kubo interview, courtesy of Bruce Perry

  23 “don’t be bitter” “Farmworkers Cheer Chavez,” Los Angeles Times, Nov. 4, 1976

  24 Chavez had been fasting Maddock interview, Paradigm Productions, FMDP

  Chapter 29

  Sources: Tapes of NEB meetings, Jun. 13–15, Jul. 24, Sep. 14–15, Nov. 18, 24, and Dec. 15–16, 1976, and Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, and Apr. 4, 1977, community meeting; Hartmir
e papers; author interviews with Ganz, Hartmire, Jones, Liza Hirsch Medina, Moyer, Gilbert Padilla, and Rodriguez

  1 “live and die in the movement” Tape of Jones interviewed by Walter Taylor, Jul. 24, 1976, UFWA

  2 Ross observed Ross discussing the fast, Ross Tapes, FMDP

  3 she ran into Joe Smith Chronology based on correspondence between Smith, McCarthy, and Hartmire and notes of Hartmire’s interviews about the Smith/Jones purges, Hartmire papers, and tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  4 “a fantastic idea” Tape of Feb. 16–21, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  5 “Cesar understands” Tape of Smith interviewing job candidates, Jul. 1976, UFWA

  6 “a beautiful paper” Tape of Sep. 14, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  7 “It’s a fucking game” Tape of Sep. 15, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  8 “shattering phone conversation” Jones to Hartmire, Oct. 7, 1976, Hartmire papers

  9 “We are deeply concerned” Joneses to executive board, Nov. 14, 1976, Hartmire papers

  10 “right to fire me” Smith to Padilla, Nov. 17, 1976, Hartmire papers

  11 “I’ve been fired” Tape of Nov. 18, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  12 “I work every day” Tape of conference, La Paz, Dec. 2, 1971, UFWA

  13 “reminiscent of McCarthyism” Tape of Dec. 1976 NEB, UFWA

  14 “Somebody fingered Nick” Hartmire to Chavez, Dec. 1, 1976

  15 Chavez offered explanations Hartmire notes on conversations with Chavez, Hartmire papers

  16 Moyer focused on Chavez Moyer to Hartmire, Nov. 23, 1976, Hartmire papers

  17 “Following orders is a gift” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  18 his brother returned the memo Richard to Cesar Chavez, Mar. 17, 1977, INFO, Box 5, Folder 36

  19 “we bullshit about democracy” Tape of Mar. 1977 NEB meeting

  20 the Monday Night Massacre Tape of Apr. 4, 1977, community meeting, UFWA

  21 “such a fearful night” Godfrey to NEB members, Apr. 18, 1977, Hartmire papers

  22 “a mini-cultural revolution” Hartmire to NFWM staff, May 31, 1977, Hartmire papers

  23 “the heart and soul” Tape of Nov. 18, 1976, NEB

  24 Medina had been right Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB, UFWA. In fact, many tapes of Milne’s sessions are at Wayne State.

  25 “a certain degree of paranoia” Moyer to Hartmire, Nov. 23, 1976, Hartmire papers

  Chapter 30

  Sources: Tapes of NEB meetings, Feb. 25–27, Mar. 14–16, 21, and Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977; tapes of the Game played at La Paz, May and Jul. 1977; Ofshe articles; Synanon Foundation archives; author interviews with Cohen, Ganz, Hartmire, Medina, and Ofshe.

  1 without phones or distractions Tape of Chavez and staff, Feb. 3, 1977, UFWA

  2 Synanon had grown Background on Synanon from Richard Ofshe, “The Social Development of the Synanon Cult,” Sociological Analysis, 1980; Ofshe and David and Cathy Mitchell, The Light on Synanon (Wideview Books, 1982)

  3 “when I sit down” “Charles Dederich, 83, Synanon Founder,” New York Times, Mar. 4, 1997

  4 radically reshaped the organization Ofshe, “Social Development”

  5 the board assembled at Home Place Tape of NEB, Feb. 25–27, 1977, UFWA

  6 “the game will help” Chavez to Dederich, Mar. 14, 1977, Synanon archives, Box 105

  7 donating excess goods Ofshe, “Social Development,” and Stephen Trott, assistant attorney general, to William Webster, FBI director, Mar. 16, 1984, FBI files on Synanon

  8 “orange crate mentality” Jady Dederich interview, Sep. 18, 1996, courtesy of Bruce Perry

  9 proposed a joint venture Board of Directors meeting, Apr. 25, 1977, Synanon archives, Box 255

  10 Dederich made the offer Ibid.

  11 “He is a genius” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  12 “They expect a return” Hartmire to Chavez, Jun. 2, 1977, Hartmire papers

  13 “a revolutionary concept” Chavez to staff, Sep. 1977, Hartmire papers

  14 “trained seals” Ofshe, “Social Development”

  15 hoped to groom Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB

  16 “broke down and cried” Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  17 Matt Rand cited Matt Rand to Chavez, May 6, 1977, Hartmire papers

  18 a waiting list Presidents report, Jun. 1977, in possession of author

  19 Helen watched a Game Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977 NEB

  20 “had a good cry” Ibid.

  21 described an incident Ibid.

  22 “unthinkable to me” Ibid.

  23 “it would be chaotic” Transcript of Organizing Department Conference, Jul. 6–8, 1976, ADMIN, Box 29, Folder 21

  24 “the vanguard of this movement” Chavez report to UFW convention, Aug. 26, 1977, in possession of author

  25 “You’re the sparks” Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB

  Chapter 31

  Sources: President’s newsletters; tapes of NEB meetings, Mar. 14–16, 21, Jun. 30–Jul. 2, Oct. 23, 1977, and Mar. 23–25, Apr. 3–5, Jun. 15–16, 1978; Hartmire papers; author interviews with Cohen, Ganz, Hartmire, Moyer, and Padilla.

  1 the March 31, 1977, celebration President’s newsletter, Mar. 11 and Apr. 15, 1977, in possession of author

  2 “It is, in fact, the day” Chavez memo to staff, n.d., Hartmire papers

  3 “building communal living” Jeff Dietrich, “An interview with Cesar Chavez,” Catholic Agitator, May 1977

  4 “to have a mecca” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  5 Los Menos Notes from Hartmire, Chavez conversations Jun. 25–Jul. 23, 1976, Hartmire papers

  6 “we can live a little better” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB

  7 he and Chavez discussed Hartmire notes from conversations, Hartmire papers

  8 “This is a people’s movement!” Tape of UFW 1977 convention debrief, n.d., UFWA

  9 “force yourself to be with the people” Tape of Jul. 24, 1976, NEB, UFWA

  10 “just plain folk” Tape of Oct. 23, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  11 “life of the union” Tape of Jun. 15–16, 1978, NEB, UFWA

  12 “don’t take one plugged nickel” Tape of speech, Sep. 28, 1972, JEL Tape 107

  13 “things have changed” Tape of Mar. 23–25, 1978, NEB, UFWA

  14 “thirteen-year-old cause” Tape of Jun. 30–Jul.2, 1977, NEB

  15 phase out its subsidy Woodcock to Chavez, Feb. 14, 1976, OOP2, Box 26, Folder 4

  16 60 percent of the union’s income UFW 1977 LM2 report, U.S. Department of Labor

  17 “we don’t have a movement” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB

  18 “It is not helping people” Hartmire notes, Hartmire papers

  19 “We’re all afraid” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB

  20 “disaster area” Leo and Mary Jane Nieto to Hartmire, May 24, 1977, Hartmire papers

  21 “a real struggle” Moyer to Hartmire, Jul. 11, 1978, Hartmire papers

  22 “don’t think much of the idea” Richard Chavez to Cesar, Apr. 1, 1977, INFO, Box 5, Folder 36

  23 a royal greeting Detailed itinerary of trip, OOP2, Box 36, Folder 8; DH, Box 19, Folder 21

  24 “a hell of a lot better” Bernard Wideman, “Cesar Chavez Hails Philipine’s Rule,” Washington Post, Jul. 29, 1977

  25 “clear the record” Higgins to Chavez, Jul. 29, 1977, AALA, Folder 1977

  26 “Ninety percent support” Tape of Chavez talking to NY boycotters, n.d., UFWA

  27 “Mistakes were made” Moyer to Hartmire, Sep. 19, 1977, Hartmire papers

  28 “I did not praise martial law” Gerard Sherry, Monitor, Oct. 27, 1977

  29 “don’t own your own soul” Higgins, JEL, Box 37, Folder 743

  30 “We’re experimenting” Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB

  31 “everyone’s in the garden” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB

  32 “our dream is a Poor Peoples Union” Transcript of Ross speech, May 1977, Ross papers, Box 1, Folder 8


  Chapter 32

  Sources: Tapes of NEB meetings, Mar. 14–16, 21, Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977; Drake oral histories on FMDP; Ganz, “Plan for the Vegetable Industry”; author interviews with Cohen, Ganz, Hartmire, Medina, and Esther and Gilbert Padilla.

  1 “come to the crossroads” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  2 “incapable of moving” Ibid.

  3 “I give an order” Ibid.

  4 “What is our union business?” Chavez to staff, Jul. 13, 1977, OOP2, Box 18, Folder 44

  5 “I’m rotting away” Drake to Chavez, Jul. 1977, OOP2, Box 18, Folder 44

  6 “being absolutely incredulous” Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB, UFWA

  7 “part of history” Tape of Mar. 14–16, 21, 1977, NEB

  8 “shadow of the law” Ibid.

  9 He opened the meeting Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB

  10 “I used to do that” Ibid.

  11 one-sentence oath Copy of oath, UFW 1986 Accession, Box 54

  12 signed the oath Tape of Jun. 30–Jul. 2, 1977, NEB

  13 a love letter Tape of Jun. 30–Jul.2, 1977, NEB, and interviews with Esther Padilla, Gilbert Padilla, and Hartmire

  14 Chavez’s infidelities Based on interviews with more than a dozen key union staff members who lived in Delano and La Paz between 1964 and 1988.

  15 “a natural attraction” Tape of organizing conference, 1967, Yinger archive, on FMDP

  16 “My marriage is on the rocks” Tape of Jun. 30–Jul.2, 1977, NEB

  17 Cesar prepared notes “My Marriage Meeting,” Jul. 4, 1977, UFW 1986 Accession, Box 54

  18 “she is just so damn real” Tape of Helen’s birthday, Jan. 1978, La Paz, UFWA

  19 “most productive in the movement’s history” President’s Newsletter, Jul. 22, 1977, in possession of author

  Chapter 33

  Sources: Tapes of NEB meetings, Mar. 23–25, Apr. 3–5, Jun. 15–16, 25, 1978; Govea and Hartmire papers; Kirsten Zerger journals; author interviews with Cohen, Dalzell, Ganz, Hartmire, Medina, Nathan, Rutkowski, and Tramutola.

  1 told Jacques Levy Levy notes Sep. 23, 1973, JEL, Box 6, Folder 205

  2 Ganz responded Ganz to Chavez, Feb. 27, 1978, Govea papers

 

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