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The picket line is the best place to train organizers. One day on the picket line is where a man makes his commitment. The longer on the picket line, the stronger the commitment. A lot of workers think they make their commitment by walking off the job when nobody sees them. But you get a guy to walk off the field when his boss is watching and, in front of the other guys, throw down his tools and march right to the picket line, that is the guy who makes our strike. The picket line is a beautiful thing because it makes a man more human.

Cesar Chavez#107

WorkCommunitySolidarityActionCommitmentStrike

About this quote

What does it mean?
Picket lines reveal true commitment and build humanity through visible, shared sacrifice.
In plain terms
Standing on a picket line shows you are truly committed.
What can you take from it?
True commitment is proven through visible public action.

Where it applies

  • labor strikes
  • protests
  • public demonstrations

Putting it to work

  • join picket lines
  • show public support
  • organize workers

Questions to consider

  • What proves your commitment to a cause?
  • How does public action change you?

Another view

Not everyone can safely risk their job to stand on a picket line.

More from Cesar Chavez

  1. The non-violent technique does not depend for its success on the goodwill of the oppressor, but rather on the unfailing assistance of God.

    Permalink to quote #106
  2. The poor, you know, have a way of solving problems... they have a tremendous capacity for suffering. And so when you build a vehicle to get something done, as …

    Permalink to quote #108
  3. The name of the game is to talk to people. If you don't talk to people, you can't get started... You knock on twenty doors or so, and twenty guys tell you to g…

    Permalink to quote #105

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