Mapping Change, from Delano to Sacramento
A visual journey of the 280-mile march that reshaped farmworkers' rights in 1966. Photos by John Kouns/ Tom & Ethel Bradley Center
The March to Sacramento, March 17-April 10, 1966
On March 17, 1966, photographer John Kouns joined the farmworker pilgrimage from Delano to Sacramento, California, alongside 67 marchers who wanted to increase awareness of the grape strike led by the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and its fight for recognition as a union. Their goal was to raise awareness about the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) grape strike, and its struggle for union recognition. The 280-mile journey, known as Pilgrimage, garnered support from hundreds and crossed 50 towns. Despite a permit dispute at the start in Delano, the march continued, guided by a farmworker carrying Our Lady of Guadalupe's banner. Luis Valdez proclaimed the Plan de Delano at nightly rallies, and Teatro Campesino performed. After walking non stop for twenty five days, the marchers reached Sacramento on Easter Day, April 10, 1966, achieving historic outcomes for farmworkers and Governor Pat Brown's refusal to meet them didn't diminish their impact. By April 3rd, before ending the march, César Chávez and Rev. Chris Hartmire had already signed a recognition agreement with Schenley Industries, the largest grower in Delano, initiating collective bargaining. The subsequent Schenley contract, negotiated by Dolores Huerta and signed on June 21, 1966, marked California's first union contract in farm labor history, addressing union representation and wages. During the march, on April 7th, the DiGiorgio Corporation also started negotiating with the NFWA. The developments were crucial in a state where the $3.7 billion agricultural industry employed 500,000 workers, with seasonal farm workers earning an average of $2,500.
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1
Delano to Ducor, March 17
On March 17, 1966, sixty-seven picketers, organizers, and supporters—including photographers John Kouns and Jon Lewis—started a farmworker march from Delano to Sacramento to bring public awareness of the grape strike and boycott, and to pressure Governor Pat Brown to urge growers to the bargaining table. Under the motto Pilgrimage, Penance, and Revolution, these 67 original marchers (los originales) would cross more than 50 towns and cities in California’s Central Valley while hundreds, and in some places, thousands, of people joined the march. The headquarters of the National Farm Workers Association, at 102 Albany Street, was chosen as the starting point, where more than 200 people, including the original 67, started the pilgrimage north. At the intersection of Albany and Garces Highway, however, two dozen police officers blocked the road arguing that the marchers needed a permit. Reporters from the national press who were in Delano the previous day for the hearings by the U.S. Subcommittee on Migratory Labor, headed by Senator Robert Kennedy, registered the standoff. A phone call from Senator Kennedy to the Delano police chief finally ended the impasse, according to Roberto “El Capitán” Bustos, a farmworker and striker who led the marchers for almost their entire journey to Sacramento. After walking for 17 miles, around 70 marchers arrived at Ducor, where they listened to Luis Valdez reading the Plan of Delano before going to bed.
Photo 1 : National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) members Larry Itliong, Kathy Murguia, Jim Drake, Freddie Armenta, and Jorge Zaragoza prepare to march in Delano. A sign reads “Schenley Liquors is Scab Liquor,” with Armenta holding the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Delano, California, March 17, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) members Manuel Vásquez, Luis Valenzuela, Freddie Armenta, Jorge Zaragoza, Roberto Román, Manuel Vásquez, César Chávez, Jim Drake, Marshall Ganz, and Peggy McGivern walk on the first day of the pilgrimage to Sacramento. Delano, California, March 17, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3 : César Chávez speaks to the Delano chief of police officer James Allen. They are surrounded by reporters recording their exchange and by strikers and supporters. Delano, California, March 17, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4 : Police officers block marchers in Delano at the intersection of Albany and Garces Highway arguing that they needed a permit. Delano, California, March 17, 1966. Photo by John Kouns
Photo 5 : Farm workers and their supporters are exiting city limits on the first day of their pilgrimage to Sacramento. They are at the intersection between Garces Highway and Browning Road. Delano, California, March 17, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
2
Ducor to Porterville, March 18
On March 18, marchers spent the night in Ducor and headed towards Porterville, 12.5 miles north. In the afternoon, they passed through Terra Bella before stopping at Porterville College. When they reached downtown Porterville, a crowd of 150 people, along with a band, greeted them. A meeting and rally took place at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, followed by a potluck dinner in Murray Park. Marchers spent the night in homes or sleeping outdoor.
Photo 1 : César Chávez and other marchers sit and rest during the march to Sacramento. An American flag and a Huelga-NFWA sign are visible. Terra Bella, California, March 18, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : Jesús Marín "Marín" Barrera (accordion), José Raúl "Rico" Barrera (guitar), and Gilberto "Beto" Garza (drum) play their instruments with marchers as they enter Porterville, California, on March 18, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3 : Jesús Suárez (snare drum), Gilberto "Beto" Garza (accordion), and José Raúl "Rico" Barrera (guitar) play their instruments next to Agustín Higareda and his grand-daughters Teresa (age 5), María Luisa (age 2), Magdalena (age 5), and Rosalinda (age 4) at Murray Park. Porterville, California, March 18, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4: Luis Valdez reads The Plan of Delano to a crowd of farmworkers and marchers gathered at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall. Porterville, California, March 18, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5: Dolores Huerta stands under a painting of Lady Liberty at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall. Porterville, California, March 18, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Porterville to Lindsay, March 19
On March 19, about 130 marchers left Porterville walking along State Highway 65 towards Lindsay, 12 miles north. After a stop in Strathmore, they reached Lindsay, where local farmworkers and a mariachi band welcomed them. The marchers stopped at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for dinner and a rally.
Photo 1: Marchers walk under a bridge during the march to Sacramento. Porterville, California, March 18, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : Marchers along State Highway 65 stop for lemonade in a silver punch bowl offered by a supporter during the march to Sacramento. An AWOC AFL-CIO sign is visible. Porterville, California, March 19, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: Marchers leaving Strathmore walk on State Highway 65 during the march to Sacramento. Strathmore, California, March 19, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4 : A mariachi band plays on the side of the road welcoming the marchers during the march to Sacramento. A woman holds a NFWA and a AWOC AFL-CIO flags. Leading the march behind her, Pete Cardenas (American flag) and Luis Valenzuela (Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner). Lindsay, California, March 19, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5 : Mariachi band welcomes marchers during the march to Sacramento. Lindsay, California, March 19, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
4
Lindsay to Farmersville, March 20
Around 200 marchers walked 13 miles from Lindsay to Farmersville, where Rev. Eugene Boyle, chairman of the San Francisco Archdiocese Committee on Social Justice, presented César Chávez with a check for $350 from supporters across the state at the Farmersville Memorial Building. The marchers spent the night with local families.
Photo 1: A boy and a woman standing in front of a traffic sign watch the marchers walk by during the march to Sacramento. Farmersville, California, March 20, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: César Chávez shakes hands with a Retail Clerks Union (Local 1288) picketer during the march to Sacramento. The Retail Clerks Union picketers are protesting Nickel's Payless Food Store on E Visalia Rd. Farmersville, California on March 20, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: Helen Chávez joins the pilgrims during the march to Sacramento. A sign advertises fish hooks, motor oil, and kerosene. The marchers are carrying Huelga signs and flags. Farmersville, California, March 20, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Farmersville to Visalia, March 21
Around 100 marchers walked 7 miles from Farmersville to Visalia via Avenue 288 to pass by the Linnell Farm Labor Camp. Linell and Woodville labor camps were operated by the Tulare County Housing Authority, housing seasonal farmworker families. One-room shacks made out of heavy tin, or wood siding with tin roofs lacked heat, air conditioning, and have no indoor plumbing. Families had to use shared toilets. In 1965 the authority wanted to raise the rent by as much as 47 percent. After hearing the residents’ complaints, Gilbert Padilla, David Havens of the Migrant Ministry, and Jim Drake decided to organize a rent strike. The tenants refused to pay the rent hikes and kept paying the old rates. The tenants organized a seven-mile march from Linnell to Visalia. On July 16, the march of 350 farmworkers and supporters brought about an investigation into the Tulare County Housing Authority. Before the summer was over, the rent increases were formally rescinded, and new buildings were constructed.
Photo 1: Carolina Franco (holding flag and wearing hat) and other marchers walk past two children during the march to Sacramento. Linnell Camp, California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: A man holds a Linell rent strike sign amongst marchers during the march to Sacramento. Linnell Camp, California on March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: Roberto Bustos (wearing sunglasses and Thunderbird shirt), César Chávez (left of the American flag), and lead marchers walk on the road during the march to Sacramento. People sitting on a car watch the marchers walk by. The marchers passed Linnell Camp on their way to Visalia. California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4: César Chávez (right) and marchers walk during the march to Sacramento. A shared toilet building is in the background for women (left) and men (right). Linnell Camp, California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5: Marchers walk on the road during the march to Sacramento. A marcher carries an NFWA sign that reads "Pilgrimage Delano to Sacramento” in Spanish. People sitting on a car watch the marchers walk by. The marchers passed Linnell Camp on their way to Visalia. California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Visalia to Cutler, March 22
On March 22, after walking for 15 miles and despite facing some protesters wielding Schenley liquor (the boycott target of the National Farm Workers Association, NFWA), marchers reached Cutler and received local support. That day, James Farmer, ex-director of the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE), encouraged Stanislaus State College students to join the march as it passed through Turlock.
Photo 1: Roberto Bustos and lead marchers walk during the march to Sacramento carrying the Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner and the American flag. There are crates of soda on the road. Visalia, California, March 22, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: César Chávez (right of the American flag, holding cane) and lead marchers walk through a city street carrying the Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner during the march to Sacramento. Visalia, California, March 22, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3 : Man sits on a tree stump as marchers walk past during the march to Sacramento. Visalia, California, March 22, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Cutler to Parlier, March 23
The marchers walked 18 miles passing through Dinuba and Reedley, receiving a warm welcome from local farmworkers in Parlier, where residents briefly joined the procession. The evening was spent at the local Church Our Lady of Sorrows and featured music, a reading of the Plan of Delano, and a performance by El Teatro Campesino.
Photo 1: A woman watches farmworkers marching from Delano to Sacramento. A Huelga-NFWA sign is on the fence. Reedley, California, March 23, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : Roberto Bustos (left, with sunglasses) and marchers walking from Delano to Sacramento pass a Rasco store, carrying the Mexican and American flags. A man and a boy watch from the sidewalk. Reedley, California, March 23, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: A participant in the march from Delano to Sacramento carries a sign while walking past E. Dinuba Ave. Reedley, California, March 23, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4: Roberto Bustos (right) stands at thecorner of Dinuba Ave and Engelhart Ave talking to officers of the California Highway Patrol during the march to Sacramento. Reedley, California, March 23, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5: Jorge Zaragoza (Peregrinación, Penitencia, Revolución), Roberto Bustos (American flag), and marchers walk by Parlier Labor Camp during the march to Sacramento. Parlier, California, March 23, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Parlier to Malaga, March 24
Following a morning mass, marchers reached Del Rey, where over 200 local residents provided lunch. Middle school students gathered in solidarity with workers' rights and in the evening everyone gathered at the California Center for Community Development before heading to Malaga. Once in Malaga, marchers drove, not walked, to Fresno for a gathering at the Azteca Theater, a symbolic venue for the farmworker community, attracting a crowd of 1,000 people. The audience enjoyed Teatro Campesino's performance and listened to Luis Valdez reading of the Plan of Delano.
Photo 1: Carolina Franco, César Chávez, Luis Valenzuela and other marchers celebrate mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Parlier during the march to Sacramento. Two signs rest against the wall, one reading, "Peregrinación Delano a Sacramento" and the other, "Peregrinación, Penitencia, Revolución." Parlier, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: Junior high-school students, during the march to Sacramento, stand at the intersection of Wildwood Ave. and Morro Ave. and hold up a banner that reads "Del Rey Los Saluda". Del Rey, California, March 24, 19661966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: A mariachi band leads marchers. A sign reads, "FRESNO Farm-workers of Fresno apoyan la huelga." Marchers carry a Virgin of Guadalupe banner, as well as the American and Mexican flags. A girl carries a Malaga sign. Malaga, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4: On the evening, the illuminated Azteca Theater sign in Fresno announces a free event at 7:00 p.m. in honor of Mr. César Chávez and the pilgrims from Delano. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5: Felipe Cantú, Agustín Lira (guitar), Luis Valdez, and Gilbert Rubio sing on stage at a rally at Teatro Azteca during the march to Sacramento. Lira is also playing the guitar. Three more men are sitting behind them holding the American flag (Manuel Lopez), the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Mexican flag. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Malaga to Highway City , March 25
En route to Highway City, 17 miles north, the group passed through Calwa before reaching Fresno, a major city of over 150,000 residents. In Fresno, they met Mayor Floyd H. Hyde at CityHall, had lunch in Roeding Park with live music, and received food donations from residents. It was in this same city that the Farm Workers Association (FWA) had established itself just four years earlier, in 1962, with a founding convention at the Edison Social Hall where the iconic black eagle logo was revealed.
Photo 1 : A marcher holds a Mexican flag walking at the entrance of Van Ness Avenue during the march to Sacramento. Fresno, California, March 25, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : Marchers walk past a woman in a convertible during the march to Sacramento. Fresno, California, March 25, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5 : Roberto Bustos (right) and marchers walk on Fresno Street, just after crossing Van NessAvenue, during the march to Sacramento. They are carrying the American Flag, a Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner, and the Mexican flag. Fresno, California, March 25, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4 : Republican Fresno Mayor Floyd H. Hyde greets César Chávez and marchers in front of City Hall during the march to Sacramento. Reporters and others surround them. Fresno, California, March 25, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5 : William King (Huelga-NFWA sign) and Roberto Román (black cross) stand among marchers in front of Fresno City Hall, displaying the Mexican flag, the Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner, and American flag. Marchers from Selma, Fresno, and Lindsay hold signs identifying their California towns. Fresno, California, March 25, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Highway City to Madera, March 26
Marching to Madera, supporters from Stockton, Santa Clara, and Fresno, including University of the Pacific students, swelled the march to about 300 people. Barred from U.S. Highway 99, they covered 20 miles on county roads. Once in Madera, dinner was offered by the Madera Community Services Organization, and local residents opened their homes to the marchers for the night.
Photo 1: Marchers walk by water canal on their way to Sacramento. A marcher carries a sign that says, “United Farm Workers of Santa ClaraCounty.” Highway City, California, March 26, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: Marchers playing the guitar walk on the road during the march to Sacramento. Madera, California, March 26, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: A farm worker poses with a shovel in a field during the march to Sacramento. Madera, California, March 26, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Madera to Chowchilla, March 27
Early in the morning, marchers set out from Madera for the 16-mile journey to Chowchilla. Upon arrival, marchers drove to Merced for a day of rest, their first break since starting the pilgrimage.
Photo 1 : People on the sidewalk watch the marchers during the march to Sacramento. A gas station is seen in the background. Chowchilla, California, March 27, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : A woman carries a little girl at the intersection of Front St and Robertson Blvd. People on the sidewalk watch the marchers during the march to Sacramento. Chowchilla, California, March 27, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Driving to Merced for a day of rest, March 28
Marchers heading to Sacramento rested in Merced on March 28, taking a break in McNamara and Applegate Parks.
Photo 1 : A man and a woman rest on the grass during the march to Sacramento. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : A man and a woman rest on the grass during the march to Sacramento. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
13
Chowchilla to Merced, March 29
The marchers drove back to Chowchilla in the morning where around 30 farmworkers from nearby cities joined the march to Merced. The pilgrims had dinner at Club Mercedes before attending a performance of Teatro Campesino at the Strand Theater. It was a treat for the performers, and the audience, to be able to gather in a theatre. "Many of the nightly rallies were outdoors in whatever weather was upon us - said the Teatro Campesino co-founder Luis Valdez in an email talking about their performances during the march to Sacramento.
Photo 1: Two men wearing hats march while, in the background, children on the sidewalk watch the marchers pass by during the march to Sacramento. Chowchilla, California, 1966, Photo by John Kouns
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Merced to Livingston, March 30
After morning mass at Sacred Heart Church, marchers left Merced heading to Livingston, 16 miles away. Residents in Livingston hosted a dinner at the Veterans Memorial Hall.
Photo 1: Marchers walking on the road during the march to Sacramento, Livingston, CA, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : Marchers walk past Court Theatre during the march to Sacramento. Three leading marchers carry the American flag, the NFWA-Virgin of Guadalupe banner, and the Mexican flag. Luis Valenzuela, behind the leading marchers, carries a union flag. Livingston, California, March 30, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
15
Livingston to Turlock, March 31
On March 31, the day of César Chávez's 39th birthday, about 100 marchers reached Turlock on a 12-mile walk passing through Delhi.
Photo 1: Marchers from Stanislaus State College walk on the road during the march to Sacramento. Turlock, California, March 31, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: Marchers from Stanislaus State College walk on the road during the march to Sacramento. Turlock, California, March 31, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: A nun joins the marchers walking past a railroad crossing during the march to Sacramento. Turlock, California, March 31, 1966. Photo by John Koun.
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Turlock to Modesto, April 1
In Modesto, a farmworker rally was moved to Cannery Workers' Hall after officials denied permission at Graceada Park Amphitheater. Over 400 attended. In Boston, a "Boston Grape Party" symbolically threw grapes into Boston Harbor, near the site of the 1773 Boston Tea Party, to support farmworkers on the other coast.
Photo 1: Carolina Franco holds a candle at a rally during the march to Sacramento. Modesto, California, April 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : Roberto Bustos talks to three police officers during the march to Sacramento. Modesto, California, April 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3 : Roberto Bustos blows a whistle during the march to Sacramento. Four people walk behind him carrying the Mexican and the American flags and a banner that reads, “Huelga”. Modesto, California, April 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Modesto to Manteca, April 2
On April 2, a caravan of more than 50 vehicles, coordinated by unions from San Francisco and San Jose, accompanied the march as it departed from Modesto. Nearly 100 additional supporters from the San Francisco Bay Area, including representatives from the Santa Clara Interfaith Committee for Social Justice and Painters Local 4 of San Francisco, joined the march. Altogether, nearly 400 individuals participated in the day's journey, marking the largest group thus far. William Kircher, the AFL-CIO's organizing director, also drove to Modesto where he decided to transfer AWOC's funds and headquarters from Stockton to Delano under the direction to Larry Itliong, declaring this way his intent to support NFWA's affiliation with the AFL-CIO.
Photo: Marchers en route to Sacramento, including three nuns, traverse a bridge between Modesto and Manteca carrying the Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner and the American flag. Ripon, California, April 2, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Manteca to Stockton, April 3
Palm Sunday, April 3, marked a significant breakthrough for the NFWA. The pilgrims attended mass in the morning in Manteca's South City Park and then embarking on a walk that started with several hundreds participants and grew to several thousand people upon reaching Stockton. As the marchers rested in St. Mary's Square, César Chávez received a call from Sidney Korchak, a Los Angeles labor negotiator representing Schenley, a major liquor distributor with property in Delano. He wanted to schedule a meeting to discuss union recognition and negotiate a contract. After discussing with the other marchers, Chávez and Christ Hartmire left Stockton driving to Beverly Hills.
In the following days the NFWA negotiated an agreement with Schenley Industries, securing union recognition. The contract, negotiated by Dolores Huerta and signed on June 21, 1966, became the first union contract in California farm labor history. It provided a new minimum of $1,75 wage but most importantly union recognition and the creation of a union hiring hall that would eliminate labor contractors. At that time, California’s $3.7-billion agricultural industry employed some 500,000 workers and the average income of seasonal farm workers was estimated at about $2,500.
Photo 1: Led by a mariachi band, Sacramento-bound marchers entered Stockton on Lafayette Street. A banner reads "Peregrinación y Revolución. Viva. La. Causa," while marchers carried the American flag, the Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner, and the Mexican flag. Stockton, California, April 3-5, 1966. Photo by John Kouns
Photo 2: At the intersection of San Joaquin Street and Washington Street, supporters warmly greet César Chávez, Helen Chávez, and fellow marchers during the march to Sacramento. Stockton, California, April 3-5, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: Marchers walk across E Church Street during the march to Sacramento holding signs from MAPA (Mexican American Political Association), NFWA Salinas, and one sign reading “Schenley Unfair, Don’t Buy”. Stockton, California, April 3-5, 1966. Photo by John Kouns
Photo 4: Supporters stand at tables with food and drinks to welcome marchers during the march to Sacramento. Stockton, California, April 3-5, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Day of rest in Stockton, April 4
The rest of the pilgrims stayed in Stockton from April 3 to April 5, with a day of rest on April 4.
Photo 1: Marchers heading to Sacramento rest in a park. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: Marchers heading to Sacramento rest in a park. They carried the black cross leaning on a tree throughout the entire walk from Delano to Sacramento. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Stockton to Lodi, April 5
As the march left Stockton, its size grew reaching over 1,000 people present. A few prominent political figures, such as California Attorney General candidate William Bennett and State Board of Education President Thomas Braden, also joined to endorsed farmworkers' rights. Their support highlighted the rising influence of Mexican American voters, crucial in Governor Brown's 1962 election.
Photo 1: Luis Valenzuela, holding the American flag, and fellow marchers celebrate mass at Lake Park during their journey to Sacramento. Lodi, California, April 8, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Lodi to Thornton, April 6
On the morning of April 6th, a mobile phone which had been installed over a vehicle traveling with the marchers rang. It was Chávez, announcing to the strikers as they marched through the Tokay vineyards near Lodi that Schenley Industries had officially recognized the union by signing an agreement with the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), marking the first grower to do so. The contract negotiations were set to start within 30 days. After a lunch in Lodi at Legion Lake Park, marchers walked another 13 miles to Thornton where they spent the night celebrating in a Catholic Church.
Photo 1: Doug Rippey (Schunley) and Luis Valdez (DiGiorgio Corp.) from Teatro Campesino improvised the act The Schenley Contract. April 6, 1966, Thornton, California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: Agustín Lira performing as Governor Brown, part of a Teatro Campesino response to Gov. Pat Brown's refusal to greet the marchers at their final destination in Sacramento. Portraying Gov. Brown, Lira's character transformed, speaking Spanish and aligning with farm workers, ultimately being removed from the stage by grape grower Zaninovich and Bank of America. April 6, 1966, Thornton, California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: Agustín Lira from Teatro Campesino performs as “Conscience”. A banner hangs with the writing “Schenley si! DiGiorgio no!” . April 6, 1966, Thornton, California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4: Agustín Lira, Doug Rippey, Felipe Cantú, and Luis Valdez from Teatro Campesino perform in The Three Grapes. A large banner reads “Schenley ha firmado” (Schenley signed). April 6, 1966, Thornton, California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Thornton to Hood, April 7
Schenley's agreement prompted the strikers to force another grower, the DiGiorgio Corporation, to do the same. On April 7, Good Friday, DiGiorgio announced that it would hold an election in Delano to determine whether farm workers really wanted a union and, if so, which one. However, the election conditions set by DiGiorgio included the suspension of the boycott during negotiations and allowing any other union - even the phony Kern-Tulare Independent Farm Workers - to be on the ballot. In addition, there were no provisions ensuring transparent elections.
Photo 1 : Marchers cross the Courtland Bridge. April 7, 1966, Courtland, California. Photo by John Kouns.
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Hood to Freeport, April 8
On Good Friday, April 8, while marchers were advancing along the Sacramento River, Chávez agreed on NFWA participation in elections only if National Labor Relations Board rules protected workers from unfair practices, and stated that the boycott would continue until mutually agreed-upon terms were reached. William Kircher of AFL-CIO backed the NFWA position and clarified that AWOC would acknowledge NFWA's representation of DiGiorgio's workers, abstaining from participating in the elections. Despite repeated delays in negotiations, elections on August 30 at Sierra Vista Ranch in Delano resulted in the victory of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC), the new organization formed following the merger of NFWA with AWOC. The DiGiorgio contract will later be signed in 1967.
Photo 1 : César Chávez celebrates at Filipino Hall the union victory in the DiGiorgio's Sierra Vista Ranch elections. Farm workers lift him up high in the air and parade him around the hall. Priests, students, and workers cheer with him and a woman offers Chávez a statue of Christ. Delano, California, September 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : César Chávez reads the results of the Sierra Vista Ranch's elections at Filipino Hall. Jorge Zaragoza (second from left), Julio Hernández and a group of workers and reporters observe closely. Delano, California, September 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3 : A group of United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) members and supporters celebrate at Filipino Hall the union's victory in the DiGiorgio's Sierra Vista Ranch elections. Delano, California, September 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4: Fred Ross Sr. stands with César Chávez on stage at Filipino Hall. This was at a celebration of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) victory in the DiGiorgio's Sierra Vista Ranch elections. Delano, California, September 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5: Asuncion Zapata (right) presenting César Chávez (left) a small statue of Jesus Christ at Filipino Hall. This was at a celebration of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) victory in DiGiorgio's Sierra Vista Ranch elections. An American flag and a banner in English and Spanish reads, “United We Stand. Divided We Fall” are in the background. Delano, California, September 1, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
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Freeport to West Sacramento
The next to last day of the march to Sacramento began in Freeport with religious service, followed by a walk to West Sacramento for the night. The last leg of the journey concluded with a gathering of about 2,000 people at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and School, where a prayer vigil took place. That night, Teatro Campesino performed the act Governor Brown (1966), who refused to meet the marchers in Sacramento and decided to spend the weekend instead at Frank Sinatra's home in Palm Springs. In a video interview, Luis Valdez tells the story of this act, performed that night by Agustín Lira (Governor Brown), Beto Reyes (Delano Rekord), Felipe Cantú (Bank of Amerika), Errol Franklin (Zaninovich), and Luis Valdez (Di Gorgio Fruit Corp.)
Photo 1: On April 9, Roberto Román and a child stand in front of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church during the march to Sacramento in West Sacramento. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: On April 9, two men riding horses welcomes marchers walking in West Sacramento. Marchers carry a banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe, plus the American and the Mexican flags. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2: On April 9, a man on a horse welcomes marchers walking in West Sacramento. The American flag, the Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner, and Mexican flag are visible. Luis Valenzuela carries the Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner. The American flag and the Mexican flag are also visible. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 3: On April 9, Andy Imutan (left, cigarette) listens to César Chávez speaking on stage at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and School during the march to Sacramento in West Sacramento. Pete Cárdenas (American flag), Luis Valenzuela (Virgin of Guadalupe), and Jim Drake (right of Chávez) are on stage. A large Thunderbird banner and one that reads "Bienuenidos peregrinos" are the backdrops of the stage. They are inside Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and School. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4: On April 9, as part of the march to Sacramento, Fina Hernández, Johnny Hernández, and Julio Hernández (left, foreground) join fellow marchers inside Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and School in West Sacramento. California, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5: A group of marchers, some of them holding candles, gathers inside Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and School. West Sacramento, California, April 9, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
That night, Teatro Campesino performed the act Governor Brown (1966), who refused to meet the marchers in Sacramento and decided to spend the weekend instead at Frank Sinatra's home in Palm Springs. Luis Valdez tells the story of this act, performed here by Agustín Lira (Governor Brown), Beto Reyes (Delano Rekord), Felipe Cantú (Bank of Amerika), Errol Franklin (Zaninovich), and Luis Valdez (Di Gorgio Fruit Corp.)
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West Sacramento to Sacramento, April 10
On Easter Day, April 10, 1966, the marchers arrived at Sacramento, where 8,000 supporters welcomed the “dignitaries,” the 57 originales—men and women who had made the entire three-week, 280-mile-long pilgrimage from Delano. California Governor Pat Brown refused to meet with the marchers and instead spent the weekend in Palm Springs. “We are no longer interested in listening to the excuses the Governor has given in defense of the growers, to his apologies to them for not paying us decent wages or why the growers cannot dignify the workers as individuals with the right to place the price on their own labor through collective bargaining,” said Dolores Huerta, vice president of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and the principal speaker at the rally, according to the New York Times. By then, the NFWA had signed a recognition agreement with Schenley Industries and was about to start its election campaign for the Di Giorgio elections. After the march of 1966, during the following months and year, UFWOC kept securing numerous contracts from local growers, despite facing a strong counterattack from growers in collaboration with the Teamsters.
Photo 1 : César Chávez looks smiling at his wife, Helen Chávez, as he introduces her. The California State Capitol is behind them. A lectern filled with microphones is to César's right. In front at the bottom of the image, a group of journalists records the scene. In the background, a group of marchers applauds and looks at the couple. The symbols of the march and other banners are also in the background. Sacramento, California, April 10, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 2 : Dolores Huerta, vice president of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and principal speaker of the rally, speaks to a crowd of 8,000 in front of the California State Capitol during the last day of the march from Delano. Sacramento, California, April 10, 1966. Photo by John Kouns. .
Photo 3 : Pete Cárdenas (holding the American flag), Luis Valenzuela (with the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Roberto Román (carrying a white wooden cross), and Aristeo Oropeza (with Mexican flag) are standing in front of State Capitol on the last day of the march from Delano. Sacramento, California, April 10, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 4 : Left to right: Macario Garcia, Paul Esparza, and Tomas Escalante sit on the stage in front of the State Capitol on the last day of the march. All three men were part of the originales, men and women who walked the entire distance from Delano. Sacramento, California, April 10, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
Photo 5: A group of spectators listens to the speakers at the California State Capitol. A banner of the Cursillos de Cristiandad is in the background. Sacramento, California, April 10, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.
We asked CSUN students what cause they would march for today
by Ken Cheng
And what's the furthest distance you've walked?
By Cindy Chavez
About
This is a Marta Valier project for the Tom & Ethel Bradley Center with the assistance of CSUN Journalism students Cindy Chavez and Kenneth Cheng, as part of their Multimedia Storytelling final project. Based on a previous StoryMaps created by Roneva Keel and Eleanor Mahoney, “ A Fight for Bread and Dignity ,” where the authors created a map to chronicle the marchers's activities day by day, this StoryMaps tells the same story through a visual representation of the farmworkers' journey to Sacramento. Together with Brandon Lien and Professor José Luis Benavides, Valier researched the Farmworker Movement Collection creating metadata. Special thanks go to the members of the UFW Alumni - former volunteers or organizers for United Farm Workers Facebook Group, who welcomed us and supported our work offering suggestions and sharing their memories and stories with us. Many thanks also to Yolanda Barrera, Wendy Brooks, Roberto Bustos, LeRoy Chatfield, Agustin Lira, Dianna Lyons, Kathy Murguia, Wendy Brooks, and Luis Valdez for replying to our emails and guiding us through John Kouns and Emmon Clarke's images. We are also very grateful to Alex B. Edillor and Roger Gadiano for their guidance during our Delano visit, the starting point of the march to Sacramento.
Cindy Chavez
Cindy is a current third-year undergraduate Broadcast Journalism major at CSUN. Her career aspirations remain in flux, from proper news writing as a producer to archival work similar to this project, she is exploring more avenues than she can get a hold of! What remains in this search is a passion to tell stories that motivate people to act like NFWA’s struggle which has been present in history books, yet much more proximate to our respective communities than we realize. As a Coachella Valley native – a flourishing location that sees thousands of farm workers and fields in the eastern part yearly – she is interested in this aspect of her home. She wants to learn more about their collective histories toward union and community action. Cindy hopes people learn that this farmworker struggle was not an isolated event in history, and is connected to a wider movement towards the end of the marginalization of Latinx, Filipinx, and immigrant Americans across the US. Her motivations include students and community members to collaborate and lean onto one another to create systemic change. NFWA’s pilgrimage is a great example of what change can look like for the future.
Ken Cheng
Ken is in his final year returning to CSUN after a 20-plus year break to complete his Broadcast Journalism degree. He cares about the farmworkers’ movement because California produces more agricultural receipts than any other state in the country and is the 5th largest producer in the world. Agriculture has a long history in shaping the state of California. Not only financially, but demographically. Early farmers were Spanish missionaries, followed by Mexicans, Japanese, Chinese and Russians. Today, almost every nationality is represented in the state’s agricultural production. He wants to tell this story because growing up in Southern California he has seen streets, schools, and parks named after Cesar Chavez. In the late 90s, March 31st was proclaimed Cesar Chavez Day to commemorate his work with civil rights and the labor movement. Despite all this, Ken admits he knows little about Cesar Chavez and what he and his followers were advocating. This project was an opportunity to learn about his legacy as an activist and share it with others. Ken hopes visitors to this interactive story learn about the resilience and persistence of the farmworkers and their supporters who brought forth the strenuous work conditions in the fields that pressured growers and government officials to bring about change.
Advisor: Marta Valier
Marta Valier teaches Multimedia Storytelling at CSUN and works at the Tom & Ethel Bradley Center where she spent the last two years researching the Farmworker Movement Collection, discovering the stories that photographers John Kouns and Emmon Clarke framed with their lenses. For the the Tom & Ethel Bradley Center, she also produced the podcast "Emancipated: Voices and Images from the Archives."
Bibliography
Bardacke, F. (2012). Trampling out the vintage: Cesar Chavez and the two souls of the United Farm Workers. Verso.
Barrera, Y. (personal communication, November 18, 2022)
Bruns, R. (2013). Encyclopedia of Cesar Chavez: The Farm Workers Fight for Rights and Justice. Bloomsbury Publishing
Bustos, R. (personal communication, February 9, 2023)
Ganz, M. (2009). Why David sometimes wins: Leadership, organization, and strategy in the California Farm Worker Movement. Oxford University Press.
Keel, R., & Mahoney, E. (2021). A fight for bread and dignity. ArcGIS StoryMaps. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/83c9572089744703a506417bc1a2204a
Pawel, M. (2019). The union of their dreams: Power, hope, and struggle in Cesar Chavez’s Farm Worker Movement. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Roneva Keel and Eleanor Mahoney, “ A Fight for Bread and Dignity ,” The Road to Sacramento: Marching for Justice in the Fields - Labor History (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) , National Park Service, www.nps.gov/subjects/labor/the-road-to-sacramento-marching-for-justice-in-the-fields.htm , September 24, 2021
UFW Alumni - former volunteers or organizers for United Farm Workers. [Facebook group]. Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/groups/59233127422/
Valdez, L. (personal communication, March 7, 2023)
Farmworker Movement Collection
The Tom & Ethel Bradley Center at California State University, Northridge, digitized and curated 22,000 photographs of its Farmworker Movement Collection with a $350,000 grant from The National Endowment for the Humanities. The digitization project highlights the stories of individuals who participated in the movement during the 1960s and 1970s. The farmworker movement of the 1960s and 1970s forged a broad coalition of workers, students, activists, and religious allies that won most of its early battles leveraging its diversity and pushing the country towards a more perfect union. The movement accomplished this not only by extending collective bargaining rights to farmworkers but also by creating a social movement similar to the abolitionists, who urged northern consumers to boycott southern-made textiles in protest against slavery, or reminiscent of the Montgomery bus boycotters, who called on both blacks and white allies to refrain from using public transportation until bus segregation was eradicated.
The diversity of this coalition is reflected in the images taken by young photographers who joined the farmworker movement. The diversity of this coalition is reflected in the images taken by young photographers who joined the farmworker movement. These photographers documented it and volunteered their work for the union. Photographers John Kouns (1929-2019) and Emmon Clarke (1931-) exemplify this commitment. Kouns, affiliated with the union for over 40 years, dedicated a decade to documenting the labor and social struggle of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) He, along with Jon Lewis, uniquely captured the entire 330-mile march from Delano to Sacramento in 1966. Clarke, deeply involved with the movement, volunteered his services for the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and later UFW. Serving as the photo editor of the union newspaper El Malcriado in 1966–1967, he documented various union activities, including picket lines, meetings, rallies, and labor camps in the San Joaquin Valley.
Keep browsing the online Farmworker Movement Collection at the CSUN University Library Digital Collection's website.
