Final answer:
The sheriff in the context likely tried to use coercive power over César Chávez, which is forceful and punitive, contrasting with Chávez's nonviolent advocacy for farm workers' rights rooted in the broader Chicano civil rights movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context provided, the sheriff attempts to use coercive power over César Chávez, which is power that is exerted through threats, punishment, or force. However, without specific details from the clip mentioned, it is not possible to give a precise description of the sheriff's actions toward Chávez. Based on historical context, Chávez was known for his nonviolent tactics inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, such as hunger strikes, to advocate for better conditions for farm workers. This stood in contrast to the law enforcement tactics of the time, which often used coercive force to maintain order and suppress the organizational efforts of social activists like Chávez and the United Farm Workers (UFW). The power dynamics at play were rooted in a broader context of ethnic and class struggles, particularly within the Chicano movement, and the enforcement of political justice.