Cesar Chavez at the Root of Obama's Campaign: Grassroots Latino Voter Outreach - Randy Shaw. The Huffington Post

Description

Now, for the first time in U.S. history, Latino voters could play a decisive role in the presidential election.

If they do, we can thank Cesar Chavez and UFW alumni... and the city of Los Angeles.

Forty years ago, Cesar Chavez and the UFW went to Los Angeles to increase Latino voting for Robert Kennedy's California 1968 presidential primary campaign. Their strategy included voter registration drives, intensive door-to-door and street outreach, public visibility events and Election Day GOTV efforts. This strategy bolstered the political voice of Latinos and Democrats in Los Angeles, throughout California and across the nation. Today, these tactics are an integral part of the Obama campaign and could well decide the 2008 election.

Many UFW alums are working to elect Obama. Former UFW Organizing Director Marshall Ganz helped develop the "Camp Obamas" that have recruited and trained Obama campaign organizers, while former UFW Executive Board member Eliseo Medina serves on the Obama National Latino Advisory Council. And UFW alum Sharon Delugach, who left school at age 15 to work as an organizer for the UFW is now organizing for the Obama campaign in Southern Missouri.

Los Angeles has been known for its beaches, music, and movie stars, but if Barack Obama's campaign wins on November 4th, the city should also be identified as the birthplace of the grassroots voter outreach strategy that dramatically changed the political course of the United States.

 

NOTE: see also

1.   Organizing - people, power and change - full

http://www.twine.com/item/11grs1n4w-lz/organizing-people-power-and-change-full

2.   Organizing - people, power and change

http://www.twine.com/item/11grn8rvm-j3/organizing-people-power-and-change

3.   Reflections for people with power to change their world

http://www.twine.com/item/11grbvpb2-hb/reflections-for-people-with-power-to-change-their-world

 

Original URL

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-shaw/cesar-chavez-at-the-root_b_134994.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-shaw/cesar-chavez-at-the-root_b_134994.html