Cesar Chavez, the iconic labor leader, is accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls in the 1970s as well as fellow farmworker leader Dolores Huerta in the 1960s, according to an investigation from the Modern York Times.
The allegations have sparked public outcry and a wider reckoning with a towering figure in California history—the namesake of many streets, parks, and even a federal commemorative holiday.
The New York Times interviewed two women who said they were sexually abused by Chavez when they were children. Both women have struggled with depression, panic attacks, and substance abuse since the incidents, and maintained their silence for decades, fearing it would tarnish Chavez’s legacy.
Huerta told the paper she was raped by Chavez in a secluded grape field in Delano, California, in 1966. In an Instagram post, Huerta stated she kept the incident secret for 60 years because she believed “exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for.”
Huerta said she experienced two separate sexual encounters with Chavez. The first time, she was “manipulated and pressured into having sex with him,” and felt she couldn’t object because he was her boss and the leader of the movement. “The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped,” she stated.
Huerta became pregnant from both encounters and concealed her pregnancies. She arranged for the children, both girls, to be raised by other families, the New York Times reported.
The New York Times’ investigation found that “whispers” about Chavez’s conduct had circulated within the movement for decades, but there was no evidence that relatives or former farmworker leaders investigated the accusations or acknowledged the victims.
The Chavez family released a statement expressing their shock and sadness regarding the allegations, stating, “As a family steeped in the values of equity and justice, we honor the voices of those who feel unheard and who report sexual abuse.”
Huerta said in her statement that “the knowledge that he hurt young girls sickens me. My heart aches for everyone who suffered alone and in silence for years.”
Leaders throughout California reacted with shock and outrage. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass honored “every woman and girl horrifically harmed by those in power.” L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said it’s time to rename Cesar Chavez Day—observed annually on March 31—to “Farmworker Day” in Los Angeles County.
Governor Gavin Newsom said the state will focus on honoring “a farmworkers’ movement and a labor movement that was much bigger than one man” when deciding how to handle Caesar Chavez Day in California.
The revelations came a day after the United Farm Workers said it would not participate in celebrations of Chavez due to “troubling allegations.” The Cesar Chavez Foundation also stated it had become aware of “disturbing allegations” that Chavez had “engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What allegations have been made against Cesar Chavez?
Cesar Chavez is accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls in the 1970s and Dolores Huerta in 1966, according to a New York Times investigation.
How did Dolores Huerta respond to the allegations?
Dolores Huerta publicly stated she was raped by Chavez in 1966 and kept the incident secret for 60 years, fearing it would harm the farmworker movement.
What was the reaction from the Chavez family?
The Chavez family released a statement expressing their shock and sadness regarding the allegations and stating they honor the voices of those who report sexual abuse.
How will the farmworker movement navigate the complexities of honoring its history while acknowledging these serious allegations?
