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'''Cesar Chavez''' or '''César Chávez''' (1927-1993), was an American labor leader and [[Latino]] civil rights activist, founder of the '''[[United Farm Workers]]''' ('''UFW'''). His public-relations approach to unionism and aggressive but nonviolent tactics made the farm workers' struggle a moral cause with nationwide support. By the late 1970s, his tactics had forced growers to recognize the UFW as the bargaining agent for 50,000 field workers in California and Florida. However, by the mid-1980s membership in the UFW had dwindled to around 15,000.  His work is said to have led to many improvements in the working conditions experienced by farmhands.   

'''Cesar Chavez''' or '''César Chávez''' (1927-1993), was an American labor leader and [[Latino]] civil rights activist, founder of the '''[[United Farm Workers]]''' ('''UFW'''). His public-relations approach to unionism and aggressive but nonviolent tactics made the farm workers' struggle a moral cause with nationwide support. By the late 1970s, his tactics had forced growers to recognize the UFW as the bargaining agent for 50,000 field workers in California and Florida. However, by the mid-1980s membership in the UFW had dwindled to around 15,000.  His work is said to have led to many improvements in the working conditions experienced by farmhands.   

Chavez was charismatic; a self-taught rhetorical genius he created commitment by inspiring well educated Latino idealists with undiscovered organizing potential and encouraged them to offer a liberating, self-abnegating devotion to the farmworkers' movement.  Claiming as his models the violent Mexican warlord [[Emiliano Zapata]] as well as non-violent leaders [[Gandhi]], [[Nehru]] and [[Martin Luther King]], Chavez called on his people to, "Make a solemn promise: to enjoy our rightful part of the riches of this land, to throw off the yoke of being considered as agricultural implements or slaves. We are free men and we demand justice."

Chavez was charismatic; a self-taught rhetorical genius he created commitment by inspiring well educated Latino idealists with undiscovered organizing potential and encouraged them to offer a liberating, self-abnegating devotion to the farmworkers' movement.  Claiming as his models the violent Mexican warlord [[Emiliano Zapata]] as well as non-violent leaders [[Gandhi]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] and [[Martin Luther King]], Chavez called on his people to, "Make a solemn promise: to enjoy our rightful part of the riches of this land, to throw off the yoke of being considered as agricultural implements or slaves. We are free men and we demand justice."

After his death he became a major historical icon for the Latino community, and for liberals generally, symbolizing militant support for workers and for Hispanic power based on grass roots organizing and his slogan "Sí, se puede" (Yes we can!) His importance as a Latino hero in American history is celebrated by birthday becoming a holiday in four states and that the [[United States Postal Service]] has released a stamp in his honor.

After his death he became a major historical icon for the Latino community, and for liberals generally, symbolizing militant support for workers and for Hispanic power based on grass roots organizing and his slogan "Sí, se puede" (Yes we can!) His importance as a Latino hero in American history is celebrated by birthday becoming a holiday in four states and that the [[United States Postal Service]] has released a stamp in his honor.