Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez didn’t meet, but they corresponded. Cesar carefully followed Dr. King’s career beginning with the 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott. He admired Dr. King over his stand for nonviolence, his use of the boycott and his personal commitment and sacrifice. Many of Dr. King’s closest aides and successors became strong supporters of the United Farm Workers, including Andy Young, Jesse Jackson, Ralph Abernathy and Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King. Dr. King also respected Cesar, sending him two telegrams, including one during his 25-day fast for nonviolence in February-March 1968.
