Cesar Chavez, the late farmworker organizer who became a national civil rights icon and co-founded the United Farm Workers, is accused of abusing “young women or minors,” the union said in a statement Tuesday.
“The UFW has become aware of deeply troubling allegations that one of the union’s founders, Cesar Chavez, has acted in ways inconsistent with the values of our organization,” the union said. “Some of the reports relate to family issues, and it is not our story to tell or our place to comment on them. Most disturbing are the allegations of abuse of young women or minors. The allegations that women or young girls may have been victims are overwhelming.”
The UFW says it has no “direct knowledge” of any of the allegations and has not received first-hand reports of what they may be.
“However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide a space for people who may have been victimized to find support and share their stories if that is what they choose,” the union said.
In this photo taken on January 15, 1971, Cesar Chavez speaks to protesters in Foley Square before entering the federal building to file a lawsuit against the Department of Defense for purchasing lettuce during the strike.
Frank Hurley/New York Daily News Archive via Getty Images, FILE
News of the allegations comes just two weeks before states across the country celebrate Cesar Chavez Day on March 31. In recent days, cities including San Antonio have canceled events honoring Chavez.
Both the Cesar Chavez Foundation and the United Farm Workers have issued statements citing unspecified information Allegations of abuse. The UFW says it will not participate in any Cesar Chavez Day activities.
“The Cesar Chavez Foundation has become aware of disturbing allegations that Cesar Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with women and minors during his tenure as President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). The institution said in a statement.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by what we are hearing. The Foundation is working with leaders of the farmworker movement to respond to these allegations, support people who may have been harmed by his actions, and ensure we are united and guided by our commitment to justice and community empowerment.” The statement said.
In this June 4, 1988 file photo, United Farm Workers President Cesar Chavez speaks to a crowd of supporters in McFarland, California.
Bob Riha Jr./Getty Images, file
The two organizations say they will create what they describe as a confidential and independent channel “for those who may have been harmed by Cesar Chavez” to share their experiences.
“This channel is for those who want to share their experiences of harm, identify their current impacts and needs, and, if they wish, participate in a collective process to develop mechanisms for repair and accountability,” UFW said in the statement.
Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66.
In the modern era, more than three decades after his passing, Chavez is still continuing his path To be the face of the agricultural workers and migrant rights movements. His decades leading boycotts, protests, and strikes helped improve wages and working conditions for farmworkers in the country’s agricultural regions.
Cesar Chavez Day was established as a federal memorial holiday by President Barack Obama in 2014.
The union added: “These allegations were deeply shocking. We need time to put this right, including ensuring that robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need them.”
