The Michigan Legislature declared March 31st as Cesar E. Chavez Day in 2004 to recognize his contribution to the nation by organizing farmworkers to campaign for safe and fair working conditions, reasonable wages, decent housing, and outlawing child labor. In 2014, President Obama declared the day as a federal commemorative holiday.
Adrian Friends of the Farm Workers (AFFW) organized in 1969 to provide local support to the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) and Chavez’s nationwide campaign. Mr. Chavez visited Adrian several times during the 1970’s to meet with and encourage the efforts to boycott the sale of products, primarily grapes and lettuce, picked by the non-union, mostly Mexican, migrant work force.
The exhibit includes items from the personal collection of Lupe De Leon who, along with his wife, Margarita (Maggie) participated in the strike. The Deleon's from Adrian are the hosts of this exhibit. They are both children of migrant field workers who came from Texas.
In addition to a large AFFW banner signed by Chavez and other leaders of the national movement, the exhibit includes original posters, newspaper articles, letters, buttons, bumper stickers, and other items related to the strike and boycott.
The Cesar Chavez: Migrant Farmworkers Strike and Boycott Exhibit is now on display at the Lenawee Historical Museum. Open to the public every Friday and Saturday from 10 am until 2pm.
