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Walter P. Reuther Library

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Martyrs for La Causa

Five people are considered martyrs by the UFW. They made the ultimate sacrifice while working for La Causa.

Nan Freeman, a twenty-year old student struck by a truck on a picket line in Belle Glade, Florida in 1972.

Twenty-four year old Nagi Diafullah, a Yemeni farm worker, was beaten to death by a local sheriff in 1973.

Sixty year old Juan de la Cruz was shot to death while walking the picket line near Arvin, California, two days after Nagi Diafullah was killed.

Rufino Contreras was gunned down by company agents as he walked a picket line during the lettuce strike in California, 1979.

Rene Lopez was shot in the head by hired "officials" at the Sikkema Dairy in California, 1983.

nagi diafulla

Demonstration in Detroit for Nagi Diafullah, undated.

Juan de la cruz's widow

From left to right: widow of slain striker Juan de la Cruz, Mazimina dela Cruz; Rev. Hugh A. Donohuoe, bishop of Fresno, Joan Baez, Cesar Chavez, August 1973. photo by Bob Fitch.

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