The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people.

Through Gandhi and my own life experience, I have learned about nonviolence. I believe that human life is a very special gift from God, and that no one has a right to take that away in any cause, however just. I am convinced that nonviolence is more powerful than violence.

Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. Cesar Chavez Address to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, Nov. 9, 1984

We are convinced that non-violence is more powerful than violence. We are convinced that non-violence supports you if you have a just and moral cause...If you use violence, you have to sell part of yourself for that violence. Then you are no longer a master of your own struggle.

Violence just hurts those who are already hurt...Instead of exposing the brutality of the oppressor, it justifies it.

Non-violence exacts a very high price from one who practices it. But once you are able to meet that demand then you can do most things.

You know, if people are not pacifists, it's not their fault. It's because society puts them in that spot. You've got to change it. You don't just change a man - you've got to change his environment as you do it.

The first principle of non-violent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating.

Nonviolence is really tough. You don't practice nonviolence at conferences; you practice it on picket-lines.