Farmersville to Visalia, March 21

Farmersville to Visalia, March 21


César Chávez (right) and marchers walk during the march to Sacramento. A shared toilet building is in the background for women (left) and men (right). Linnell Camp, California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Around 100 marchers walked 7 miles from Farmersville to Visalia via Avenue 288 to pass by the Linnell Farm Labor Camp. Linnell and Woodville labor camps were operated by the Tulare County Housing Authority, housing seasonal farmworker families. One-room shacks made out of heavy tin, or wood siding with tin roofs lacked heat, air conditioning, and had no indoor plumbing. Families had to use shared toilets. In 1965 the authority wanted to raise the rent by as much as 47 percent. After hearing the residents’ complaints, Gilbert Padilla, David Havens of the Migrant Ministry, and Jim Drake decided to organize a rent strike. The tenants refused to pay the rent hikes and kept paying the old rates. The tenants organized a seven-mile march from Linnell to Visalia. On July 16, the march of 350 farmworkers and supporters brought about an investigation into the Tulare County Housing Authority. Before the summer was over, the rent increases were formally rescinded, and new buildings were constructed. (Go to Day 6)

Carolina Franco and other marchers walking past two children during the march to Sacramento, Linnell Camp, CA, 1966

Carolina Franco (right, holding a flag and wearing a hat) and other marchers walk past two children (foreground) during the march to Sacramento, Linnell Camp, California on March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

César Chávez and other marchers walk past a car, Linnell Camp, CA, 1966

César Chávez (with a cane) and other marchers walk past a car during the march to Sacramento. Linnell Camp, California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Man amongst marchers holds a Linnell rent strike sign, Linnell Camp, CA, 1966

A man amongst marchers holds a Linnell rent strike sign during the march to Sacramento. Linnell Camp, California on March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Epifanio Camacho and other marchers walking, Linnell Camp, CA, 1966

Epifanio Camacho (wearing a large hat) and other marchers walk during the march to Sacramento. Linnell Camp, California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Marchers walk during the march to Sacramento, Linnell Camp, 1966

Marchers walk during the march to Sacramento. Linnell Camp, California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Roberto Bustos, César Chávez, and lead marchers walk on the road, Linnell Camp, CA, 1966

Roberto Bustos (wearing sunglasses and a Thunderbird shirt), César Chávez (left of the American flag), and lead marchers walk on the road during the march to Sacramento. People sitting on the trunk of a car watch the marchers walk by. Linnell Camp, California, March 21, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

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