
Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez (1927-1993), a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, was a Latino American civil rights activist that is best known for his non-violent, yet persuasive, fight to unionize Californian farmworkers. He played a critical role in ensuring inclusion of Hispanic workers within the broad union of American workers. His famous slogan “Sí, se puede” inspired President Obama’s “Yes We Can” campaign slogan. In addition to being an advocate for human rights, Chavez was also an animal rights activist and encouraged individuals to convert to vegetarianism. For his exemplary work in the animal rights field, Chavez was awarded the In Defence of Animals (IDA) Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life, will we have learned to live well ourselves” – “I became a vegetarian after realizing that animals feel afraid, cold, hungry and unhappy like we do.”