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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 1968

PHOTO BY JON LEWIS

During his fast, Cesar Chavez lived in a small room – large enough to accomodate a twin bed and two folding chairs – at the newly constructed farmworker coop located at the Forty Acres on the outskirts of Delano.

The evening religious services during the Fast began with a short procession led by crossbearer, Lupe Murguia, and followed by Father Mark Day, a Franciscan priest assigned to the farmworker movement.

Cesar Chavez was assisted by two union officers, Julio Hernandez and Philip Vera Cruz. During his fast, Chavez often complained of being cold and to compensate he wore a heavy coat with a hood and extra clothing and frequently used a blanket to cover his legs during the religious service.

Filed under: FAST AT THE FORTY ACRES (Photo Essay) — LeRoy @ 9:57 pm

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Primary source accounts: photographs, oral histories, videos, essays and historical documents from the United Farm Worker Delano Grape Strikers and the UFW Volunteers who worked with Cesar Chavez to build his farmworker movement.

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