“This flag was given to me in 1973 during the Coachella strike. I went out there a couple of times to bring people from L.A. and to join the strikers around the fields, “ said Pat Hoffman, author of Ministry of the Dispossessed and former staffer of the California Migrant Ministry and the National Farm Worker Ministry. “The Teamsters were signing sweetheart contracts. They sent thugs to stand between the UFW strikers and the edge of the fields.” 

Pat recalled that a number of people had been arrested the day before and she was warned by the day’s attendees that she was risking arrest herself. She knew what she was facing and stood with the farm workers anyway. She wasn’t arrested that day, but the strikers gave her the signed flag as a thank you for the support. 

“I found the workers to be so hospital and kind,” said Pat. “They wanted to show their appreciation. They were so appreciative.”