Parlier to Malaga, March 24

Junior high-school students, during the march to Sacramento, stand at the intersection of Wildwood Ave. and Morro Ave. and hold up banner that reads “Del Rey Los Saluda”. Del Rey, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Following a morning mass, marchers reached Del Rey, where over 200 local residents provided lunch. Middle school students gathered in solidarity with workers’ rights and in the evening, everyone gathered at the California Center for Community Development before heading to Malaga. Once in Malaga, marchers drove, not walked, to Fresno for a gathering at the Azteca Theater, a symbolic venue for the farmworker community, attracting a crowd of 1,000 people. The audience enjoyed Teatro Campesino’s performance and listened to Luis Valdez reading of the Plan of Delano. (Go to Day 9)

Priest celebrates mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Parlier, CA, 1966

A priest celebrates mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Parlier. The marchers carry flags, including the American flag, the banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and the Mexican flag. Parlier, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Carolina Franco, César Chávez, Luis Valenzuela and other marchers celebrate mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Parlier, CA, 1966

Carolina Franco, César Chávez, Luis Valenzuela and other marchers celebrate mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Parlier during the march to Sacramento. Two signs in Spanish rest against the wall, one reading, “Peregrinación Delano a Sacramento” and the other, “Peregrinación, Penitencia, Revolución.” Parlier, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Marchers celebrating mass during the march to Sacramento, Parlier, 1966

Epifanio Camacho (man reading) and other marches attend mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church during the march to Sacramento. An older woman rests her head on her arm. Parlier, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Roberto Bustos and others walking with flags during the march to Sacramento, Del Rey, 1966

Roberto Bustos (left) and marchers, carrying an American flag, a Virgin of Guadalupe-NFWA banner, and a Mexican flag, walk along the road during the march to Sacramento. Del Rey, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Marchers walk on Wildwood Ave., Del Rey, CA, 1966

Marchers heading to Sacramento walk on Wildwood Ave. A sign next to a mural reads, “Welcome marchers! …Viva La Causa!” (Long Live La Causa). Del Rey, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Police officers escort marchers on the march to Sacramento, Malaga, CA, 1966

Police officers on motorcycles escort the marchers on their way to Sacramento. The marchers carry the Virgin of Guadalupe banner, along with the American and Mexican flags, while onlookers line the sides of the road to watch. Malaga, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Mariachi band leads marchers, Malaga, CA, 1966

A mariachi band leads marchers. A sign reads, “FRESNO Farm-workers of Fresno apoyan la huelga.” Marchers carry a Virgin of Guadalupe banner, as well as the American and Mexican flags. A girl carries a Malaga sign. Malaga, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Marcher plays the accordion and a girl in a Mexican dress in Malaga, CA, 1966

A marcher plays the accordion and a girl in a Mexican dress holds a sign reading, “Huelga.” Signs held by marchers say, “Huelga” and “Bien-benidos peregrinos a Fresno, Viva la huelga”. Málaga, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Illuminated Azteca Theater sign in Fresno, CA, 1966

On the evening, the illuminated Azteca Theater sign in Fresno announces a free event at 7:00 p.m. in honor of Mr. César Chávez and the pilgrims from Delano. After reaching Malaga, the marchers drove to Fresno for a mass, drawing around 1,000 attendees with a reading of the Plan de Delano and a performance by El Teatro Campesino. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

César Chávez speaks at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento, Fresno, CA, 1966

César Chávez speaks at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento. Chávez, with a cane, addresses the audience on stage at the rally, accompanied by three men—one holding the American flag, one with the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the third holding the Mexican flag. Off the stage, two other men each hold the NFWA’s flag with the black eagle. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Agustín Lira, Carolina Franco, and Luis Valdez sing on stage at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento, Fresno, CA, 1966

Agustín Lira (guitar), Carolina Franco, and Luis Valdez sing on stage at Teatro Azteca during the march to Sacramento. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Priest speaks on stage at Teatro Azteca, Fresno, CA, 1966

A priest speaks on stage at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento. Two men stand behind him, one (Manuel López) holds the American flag, and the other the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Luis Valdez, Agustín Lira, Daniel Valdez, and Felipe Cantú from Teatro Campesino perform in Three Grapes at Teatro Azteca, Fresno, CA, 1966

Luis Valdez, Agustín Lira (green grape), Daniel Valdez (rotten grape), and Felipe Cantú (rasin) from Teatro Campesino perform in Three Grapes at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento. The play depicts the three grapes entering the stage, attempting to be harvested by strikebreakers. However, strikers with “Huelga” signs intervene, preventing the harvest and leading the workers to join the strike. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Luis Valdez reads The Plan of Delano on stage at Teatro Azteca, Fresno, CA, 1966

Luis Valdez reads The Plan of Delano on stage at a rally held at Teatro Azteca in Fresno as part of the march to Sacramento. Three men sit upstage: one (Manuel López) with the American flag, another holding the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the third with the Mexican flag. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Felipe Cantú, Agustín Lira, Luis Valdez, and Gilbert Rubio sing on stage at Teatro Azteca, Fresno, CA, 1966

Felipe Cantú, Agustín Lira (guitar), Luis Valdez, and Gilbert Rubio sing on stage at a rally at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento. Three more men sit behind them (partially visible), holding the American flag, the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Mexican flag. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Agustín Lira and Felipe Cantú from Teatro Campesino perform The Conscience of a Scab at Teatro Azteca, Fresno, CA, 1966

Agustín Lira (Conscience) and Felipe Cantú (Scab) from Teatro Campesino perform The Conscience of a Scab at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento. On the stage is a large flag with the black eagle and the name National Farm Workers Association. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Errol Franklin and Luis Valdez perform Governor Brown at Teatro Azteca, Fresno, CA, 1966

Errol Franklin and Luis Valdez perform Governor Brown at Teatro Azteca in Fresno during the march to Sacramento. This act, first performed during the march to Sacramento, addressed the news that Gov. Pat Brown wouldn’t greet the marchers upon arrival. In the performance, Agustín Lira portrayed Gov. Brown, Errol Franklin portrayed Zaninovich, and Felipe Cantú portrayed Bank of America. Fresno, California, March 24, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

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