In the Name of Ceasar Chavez: United Farm Workers Rally for their Rights

The Southern California YCL joined thousands of people in their march to Sacramento demanding that Gov. Gray Davis sign State Senate Bill 1736. SB 1736 would ensure the United Farm Workers (UFW) bargaining leverage in their contract negotiations with the California Growers. Si Se Puede! Yes We Can! Chants were carried amongst a sea of UFW flags and Aztec dancers.

The Southern California YCL joined thousands of people in their march to Sacramento demanding that Gov. Gray Davis sign State Senate Bill 1736. SB 1736 would ensure the United Farm Workers (UFW) bargaining leverage in their contract negotiations with the California Growers. Si Se Puede! Yes We Can! Chants were carried amongst a sea of UFW flags and Aztec dancers.

The rally concluded an 11 day, 165-mile march from Merced, California which was led by Arturo Rodriguez, UFW President and Dolores Huerta, UFW co-founder.
Proud to be a participant of this historical moment, I listened as the sentiment was echoed by Salvador Alvarez, president of the justice commission who declared, “This is the most important rally in Sacramento in 27 years!

Thousands of people from every corner of California joined together for workers who mastered solidarity via buses, bicycles, and on our feet. Hundreds of farmworkers have walked hundreds of miles joined by thousands in their support to this new legislation!” He went on to ask the crowd, “Are you ready to speak with one voice today? Are you ready to call for justice?”

Several Senators and state legislators stood in support of SB1736. There was a moment when Cesar Chavez’ grandchildren stood in front of these legislators and a large photograph in the crowd mirrored this moment with a black and white print of Cesar Chavez standing on the same podium on April 10, 1966. Cesar Chavez Day became an official state holiday on ******.

Treasurer, Phil Angelines plead for Gov. Davis to sign the bill by posing the question, “How can the richest state in the wealthiest nation on earth, contrary to what some say, not be able to pay their workers? Growers make $80,000.00 per year while campesinos can barely feed their children. This was echoed with a jubilant chant “Si se Puede!” Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamente declared this day as a day that honors Cesar Chavez in a state that dishonors what he gave his life for. But the true binding threat was felt when Huerta packed the punch, “Don’t do the wrong thing Governor Davis because we will never forget!”

The UFW has maintained a vigil outside the Capitol since the bill was passed. Huerta and Rodriguez accompanied Senator Burton when he took the bill to the Governor for his signature. The UFW will not cease their actions and lobbying efforts until justice is done.