By Magdaleno Leno Rose-Avila

Activists of all stripes and sizes had been invited to Denver to a Catholic School to welcome the grape workers from Delano. The flyer announced that a bus would come filled with workers who would join other boycott supporters in the key cities across the country 

Many were skeptical that dropping off these workers would or could make a difference. After all they were only farmworkers who had gone out on strike. They were not well funded or educated community organizers.

Later we were later that many had never been outside of California …these were real campesinos/farmworkers.

I had driven through heavy traffic to Denver from Boulder. Traffic was backed up since hundreds of others had beat me to the punch and had clogged the streets leading up to the Catholic school auditorium

There by the side of the schools was a weather time beaten blue and red  bus with California plates. I wanted to board the bus and greet the farmworkers but there was already a small crowd gathering there next to the bus and it looked impossible.

I instead turned to go inside scoping out a spot where  I could see all of these farmworkers and their leader Cesar Chavez once they entered. I  knew they would come in from the right back side of the  hall and make their way to the front of the room and I was in a good spot to take it all in..

I had a long coat and moved into key position much like a security guard would do.

The room was noisy with anticipation.. there were Chicano leaders, Black Panthers, labor, religious leaders and many students 

Who could believe that dropping off regular farmworkers could reenergize the boycott. Many of these workers we found out later could barely speak English. These were real grape workers. Who left everything behind many losing their humble homes and some never returning to California. They were risking everything to empower the Grape Boycott and win a union contract.

I saw many activists from the area  whom I knew and we  were spectators there  watching this most interesting event

Suddenly there was some rustling at the back door … The workers were lining up to come meet the hundreds who had gathered welcoming to Denver.

As they were led in by Cesar and some labor leaders the audience began to welcome them by standing up and clapping loudly with some yelling VIVA LA HUELGA.. or long live the strike. 

I was amazed to see these farmworker who looked like my parents and other worker parents that I worked with in my youth. Their clothes were of a humble class of American workers. No suits, No ties, no brief cases.

Cesar and the UFW were taking a big chance,  a big gamble that these workers could make a difference.. After many speeches we were introduced to Junita and Alfredo Herrera who were to lead the boycott in Denver. Juanita gave a nice warm message in Spanish saying how happy she her husband and two children were to be in Colorado.

Cesar had figured out that by having real grape pickers that they could convince the public why they should support the boycott. They could tell of long hours, no toilets, no rest periods, no protection from pesticides, no sick  leave. . they could break down the hard work being done and why workers would need a contract.

Much to our surprise it worked.  The public trusted these workers and gave them the support they needed and worked with them reduce or stop the purchase of grapes in many stores. These grape strikers won the hearts of all those who believed in justice and freedom.

It was not easy and it was hard work and longer hours. It was not easy and often they were attacked while on picket lines. They were called the worst names and some times even arrested. 

These grape workers learned how to teach, organize and motivate people to stand with them and their historic Grape Boycott. These workers helped create the pressure to force growers to negotiate and sign contracts.

Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and the UFW knew how to use the voice and spirit of grass roots worker and how they could push a movement into the future