Diversity Rules Magazine

Antonio Salazar-Hobson was the eleventh of four- teen migrant farmworker children born in Phoenix, Arizona. His parents worked the na onal picking cir- cuit for forty years. At age four, he was kidnapped by a childless, middle-aged white couple and was trafficked un l the age of ten. As a teenager, Antonio met Cesar Chavez and was taken under his wing, a miracle which helped define his life. Antonio worked with Cesar over the next two decades. Antonio got a masters from Stanford in La n American Studies as a Danforth Fellow, and then went on to graduate law school from UC Da- vis Law School, and became a labor lawyer, working with the United Farmworkers and large interna on- al unions for the past thirty years. Antonio has rep- resented Na ve Americans from California to the Sioux Na on for two decades, both Indian tribes and individuals, including Emmy award winning filmmakers, renowned authors and professors, Antonio represented the Communica ons Workers of America for several years as the District 9 counsel (California, Nevada and Hawaii) and represented the CWA in na onal cases with much success. He has now spent 30 years represen ng labor coali- ons for the United Farmworkers, and con nues to be a leading force in any labor issues. Antonio was also Controller of the California Democra c Party for eight years, increasing their dona on rate by millions of dollars. He is the author of the memoir, Antonio, We Know You, which is tled a er a key moment with Cesar Chavez as he confirmed his belief in Antonio's com- mitment to La Raza labor struggles. Antonio, We Know You: A Memoir (Wya -MacKen- zie / April 12, 2022) is a powerful and deeply hope- ful book about overcoming the hardships of kidnap- ping, the resilience and pride required to thrive past the reality of childhood sexual abuse and remaining strong to build a life of love, family reunifica on and purpose. Antonio Salazar-Hobson was the 11th of 14 children living as migrant farmworkers in Arizona. At age four, he was kidnapped by his neighbors, sexually abused and eventually trafficked at a California holiday guest ranch. A er years of abuse, he a empted suicide be- fore the age of ten. As a teen he became connected with Cesar Chavez, who took Antonio under his wing and posi vely changed the trajectory of his life. He found the strength to graduate law school and become an esteemed lawyer focusing on union-side labor and tribal law, conduc ng many federal court trials on behalf of La no workers. In Antonio, We Know You, Antonio aims to offer hope in desperate circumstances by sharing the legacy of his family and reflec ng the dignity and sacrifices of their difficult Chicano life. It is a unique story of strength and resilience, providing an enduring ex- ample of hope to a large audience, and a model for abused and trafficked children that they can survive and protect their own ability to love. Diversity Rules Magazine| Mar 2022| 15 Antonio We Know You: A Memoir A Book By Antonio Salazar-Hobson

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