02

CALIFORNIA FARMWORKERS WERE REQUIRED TO SPEND HOURS AT A TIME STOOPED OVER USING A SHORT HANDLE HOE TO WEED OR THIN CROPS. NO SHADE, NO WATER OR TOILET PROVIDED, NO MINIMUM WAGE, NO REST BREAKS, NO UNEMPLOYMENT OR MEDICAL BENEFITS, NO JOB PROTECTION OF ANY KIND - NOT EVEN BETTER OFF THAN BEASTS OF BURDEN. IN 1965, BECAUSE OF CESAR CHAVEZ AND HIS FARMWORKER MOVEMENT, THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT FORBADE THE USE OF THE SHORT HANDLED HOE.