From the Jaws of Victory. Matthew Garcia

and announced its decision to stop selling grapes at all of its twenty-five Detroit-area locations. Rangel complemented these actions by engaging in an eleven-day public fast to draw attention to two other markets, AM-PM and Farmer John’s, both of which eventually fell into line with the boycott.

      The campaign against Detroit-area markets did not immediately break Andrews, given that the fruit terminal served as a transfer point for table grapes going to markets beyond the city. Rangel ordered 150 volunteers to picket the terminal around the clock and sent another 500 to picket independent stores still receiving table grapes. Picketers met Andrews every morning at seven, first in front of the terminal as he came in for work, then quickly moving to his office to create the illusion that the union had 300 boycotters working the picket lines. On the ninth day, Andrews agreed to negotiate, offering to discontinue the sale of California grapes after the arrival of the last trainload. Rangel recalled the conversation: “I said, ‘This is not acceptable, Mr. Andrews. Send a telegram to Mr. Giumarra requesting he take the grapes back. I want a copy of the telegram. Also I want permission to inspect your terminal every day until further orders.’” A beleaguered Andrews conceded to Rangel’s demands and stopped selling grapes immediately. A few days later, when Rangel sent his son, Manuel, to inspect the terminal, Andrews asked the young man to convey a message: “Tell your father that I have much respect for him.”¹²