The time in which he rose to prominence is not much different from today. Cesar grew up during the Depression. and like many other families. he moved to California in search of a new beginning. That new beginning was the life of migrant laborers. In the 1950s he became active organizing other laborers in the struggle for justice. and he founded the United Farm Workers in 1965 to advance the causes of migrant laborers. He was one of the leaders of the civil rights movement during the sixties. nonviolently striking. fasting. and demonstrating so that the wages and conditions of farmworkers would improve. Yet his message inspired others who were also being denied justice. and gave hope to people who had for so long felt powerless.