Hundreds mark anniversary of grape strike that led to creation of farmworkers' union
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
About 1,000 people gathered in California on Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the labor strike that led to the creation of the nation's first farmworkers' union.
The Fresno Bee reports the event took place in Delano. It was there, on Sept. 8, 1965, that grape pickers walked out to protest against years of poor pay and working conditions. The 5-year strike headed by Cesar Chavez led to an international boycott and the creation of United Farm Workers.
The daylong event included speeches by the union's co-founder, Dolores Huerta, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who returned to the site where his father greeted Chavez during the labor leader's fast to promote nonviolence.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
UFW's current president, Arturo Rodriguez, said the strikers inspired generations of social and political activists.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter & Instagram