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oS cary a, ( i) UNITED STATES GON ERNMENT Memorandum ! Mr. Bishod : pate: 12-16-70 FROM M. A. Jonés ~ Ne supject. CESAR ESTRADA.CHAVEZ Submitted per instructions of Director on 12/ 16/70. ‘Captioned individual, born 3-31-27, at Yuma, Arizona, is reportedly the founder and director of the National Farm Workers Association, later known as the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC). This organization, with a membership consisting of farm workers in the Delano, California, area (where the organization was founded in 1962) participated in a strike against agricultural growers in that area for a considerable length of time. ca . } Chavez has been chdracterized as a controversial iridividual who had | been openly called a communist at Delano City Council meetings, although our sourc: | do not possess any corroborative information in this regard. information, however, | has been received that he associated with "left-wing" type individuals and allegedly had been distributing.free of charge, copies of "People's World" from his office. In connection with a Special Inquiry investigation which we conducted on Chavez_in 1966 (which was discontinued prior to completion at the request of the White House). jit was disclosed that many community leaders in the Delano, California, area would not recommend Chavez for Federal employment, and some stated that he wasa_ ! ttroublemaker and the cause of racial strife in the community. Others did not believe h eal t @ long strike involving UFWOC. any position of trust and confidence in the Feder: N Government nor would who described such an appointment as a political disaster. based his rejection of Chavez, in part, on Chavez's close association with th: ew Left" in the California area. Sea loe , 4 . “REC Ihe pe The 2-22-68 newsletter of the'L. A. Resistance and {‘upporters of the ; Resistance ‘teported that five members of the Resistance met Chavez and reported ana reported 'his support for the Resistance. Chavez also reportedly indicated thatlitile.could.. | happen until days of demonstrations became a constant way of life. ' » 970 2 FT Se 197 At a meeting in El Paso, Texas, 12-2-67, Chavez stated he was against violence in the streets or in any other shape or form. On 4-5-70, a Unita Farm Workers Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO, held a meeting and barbecue in Coachella, California, attended by Chavez. A disturbance followed the meeting. 1- Mr. Sullivan: ; ce 1- Mr. Rosen J 1- Mr. Bishop 5) & i oe 1-M. A. Jones ,..1 . - - rh ryaio 8 i “ << 6b eae 7 : CONTINUED OVER