The most profound experience I had at the vigil was listening to the stories the people who worked with Ceasar Chavez had to tell. It is very telling of the society we live in that people are still fighting for the same things they were fighting for 40 years ago. Getting the chance to do some lobbying in the capital building in sacramento was an eye opening experience. Actually being there to watch the way government works for a couple days by talking to senators and their staff taught me more about government than reading some book has ever taught me.

Camp Justice has exposed me to examples of incredible faith. Whether it be faith in a higher being, faith for a just cause or faith in other people it has been amazing to be in the presence of people who believe in something so much, considering that we live in a society saturated with apathy. I am extremely grateful for this experience, for it has made it clearer for me to see what things in life are worth making large sacrifices for.

-Arturo Molina, UC San Bernadino

I had the privilege of lobbying in Sacramento last week to push the legislatures to co-sign “The Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act” and it was exciting! The spirit out here is magnificent and its even better to see the Cesar Chavez veteranspushing everyone on. Ill be here till Wednesday Y no nos moveran! Si Se Puede! The best part is meeting all the farmworkers and volunteers and seeing their spirit and dedication to UFW. We get along so well and have gotten so close we feel like we've known each other for years.

--Jessica Juarez, UCLA Student

Today we had a wonderful experience participating in the “Block Party”. All of my friends--Camp Justice Volunteers--participated in the struggle to organize farm workers.

El dia de hora tuvimos una experiencia maravillosa participando el nobrado “Block Party”. Todos mis companeros participamos en la lucha para organisar a los campesinos.

--Jose Chavez, 39, Napa, CA

I decided to come to Camp Justice because I have never really been involved in any extra curricular events and I wanted to be part of a group that is for change of those underrepresented, our people. I wanted to gain the experience and be more informed about what is going on outside of my city. I wanted to be aware of the problems that young people like me can get involved in and really make a legacy.

As a Mechista from Riverside I was motivated to help out and gain organizing skills so I joined Camp Justice this year to fight side by side with the hard working laborers.

By joining the United Farm Workers (UFW) and visiting the laborers before work, during breaks, and after work we can reach out to them and inform them of their rights. The experience here are amazing, working together to make change in their lives every day and leaving with a great feeling of satisfaction.

What we’re doing is going to be history. Change is a call for opportunities and the laborers should have just that, opportunity since it is greatly needed. By being a part of the UFW I feel content and self-fulfillment.

--Kaliani Gonzalez, 16, Riverside, CA

"I wanted to help, even in a small way in the shaping of a world which has more respect for human rights and worker dignity.

--Felipe Barrueto, Berkeley, CA

This experience has certainly been spiritual. Through-out the “Camp Justus” site the spirit of Cesar Chavez can be felt. His life is one to emulate, I try my best to do so. He has inspired my Grandfather, uncles, and my father to uplift there social economic situation, and to work toward an economic circumstance where people like me can take the cause to the next level- at the higher learning institutions of our country. This experience has allowed me to always respect and honor my poverty roots with dignity and pride.

I was honored and humbled by experiencing first hand the economic muscle of the united states, via each and every brother farm worker in the field. The work is hard and noble. I thank each and every soul who is out in the hot sun working. “La Lucha will continue to ensure the workers’ rights are upheld to the highest standards.

Chavez continues to affect and touch people’s life in marvelous ways. I will walk away with the spirit of Chavez and the fact that “La Lucha sige y sige,” [the struggle continues & continues] and the fact “Si Se Puede”[it can be done].

--Miguel Trejo, 33, Los Angeles, CA 

From my perspective: wake up by 5:00. Drink coffee. Drive to the fields, find the workers. Give them flyers, explain the Union, convince them to join. You have half an hour: healthcare, pensions, and a wage over $7.50. Don’t be afraid of the boss. “Sí Se Puede.”
They work ten hours a day, covered in chemicals, crouched down with the grapes. Clipping, weighing, put in a bag, and a box, which goes in a truck, to a store, to your refrigerator and your salivating mouth.
Back to camp. Drink more coffee. Eat breakfast. Meetings, discussions, assessment. Another drive, another half-hour: more flyers and signatures and rushed conversations.
Back for lunch. Shower. Sleep. A new set of meetings. Activities. Strategizing. Three weeks of vacation in 100 degree heat, asleep in the tents by 10:00.
Union members, activists, workers, students, teachers, and immigrants. Justice, God, camaraderie, or some other cause.

--Eric Haas, 22, Sonoma, CA

I have been helping the UFW sinceI was 4. I have been in protests, marches, and civil disobedience sit ins. I have seen the inhumane ways the field workers are being treated and discriminated against. I decide to come to Camp Justice because I am all for helping all who are in need of some help…[At one ranch] I went to see how bad the bathrooms were and they were in very, very, very bad shape w/ human feces all over the place.

--Christopher Gudino, 19 yrs old, Porterville, CA

The farm workers that I’ve met through the United Farm Workers (UFW) Camp Justice 2007 have altered my perception of life. I used to believe that everyone had an equal opportunity and an equal pay, yet the farm workers I’ve met in Delano find themselves in humiliating conditions. There is a scarce amount of water being distributed to the workers of these fields. It’s as if gathering grapes, oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes is not a sufficient reason for the government to improve the horrible conditions these workers face. These farm workers are constantly threatened that they will lose their jobs if they don't produce enough by the end of the day. Every morning when I see their eyes, I understand their desperate cry for help.
--Marco Antonio Flores Hernandez, 19, Riverside, CA