FAST AT THE FORTY ACRES (Photo Essay)
In the Spring of 1968, Cesar Chavez fasted for 25 days to recommit his farmworker movement to nonviolence. The Fast took place on the outskirts of Delano at the union headquarters called Forty Acres. The commentary for these photos was written by LeRoy Chatfield.
FAST AT FORTY ACRES – KOUNS & LEWIS
PHOTO BY JOHN KOUNS
Every evening of the Fast for Nonviolence, a Catholic Mass was celebrated at the Forty Acres in the newly built, but not yet open, farmworker coop store. The large room was was transformed into a chapel for these evening religious services with folding chairs provided for Cesar Chavez and his wife, Helen. Hand painted windows served as stain glass windows, a table was used as the altar, a large crucifix was hung on the huelga flag covering the wall behind the altar, and of course, no farmworker chapel would be complete without an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on display.
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