Organizing the Chicano Movement: The Story of CSO

Humberto Garza presents a unique and thought-provoking point of view on the Civil Rights Movement. The CSO (Community Service Organization) played a significant role as a catalyst for the emergence of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. Leaders such as César Chávez, Gilbert Padilla, and Dolores Huerta honed their organizing and leadership skills through the CSO. The first CSO, a grass-roots, non-profit organization, was formed in Los Angeles in 1947; within five years there were 43 CSO Chapters throughout California and three in Arizona. Current national organizations such as the United Farm Workers Union (UFW), the Southwest Voters Registration and Education Program (SVREP), and the National Council of La Raza evolved from these skilled and dedicated community leaders. The terms “La Causa” and “La Huelga” are inextricably associated with the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.