FRESNO, Calif. - An in-depth investigation by the New York Times found extensive evidence that the United Farm Workers co-founder César Chávez groomed and sexually abused girls who worked in the movement.
James C. Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, was Texas lawyer for 18 years before his death. Harrington addresses the new controversy in a guest column for the Rio Grande Guardian. Click here to read it.
Here is more reaction to the NYT’s story:
I am absolutely horrified and deeply saddened by the accounts of multiple young girls and women who were assaulted, abused, and groomed by César Chávez. Thank you to the survivors who have come forward to share their stories. This decision required incredible bravery, and I stand with you.
Like so many organizers, I have long looked up to the movement that Mr. Chávez helped to build, lead, and fight for. Now that movement is refusing to be silent again about the abuses of power by Mr. Chávez himself. It is particularly painful to see yet again how no field—not even the fight for workers’ rights—is immune to the abuses of power by men who assault and intimidate women and girls. The entire culture that protects these men forced these survivors to carry this secret for far too long, creating real trauma and harm not only for them but for so many others who now feel the betrayal of a movement leader they trusted. Real accountability means we intentionally work to change the culture that allows this kind of abuse to exist, and we support survivors coming forward in every possible way to demand accountability.
Once again, it is the courage displayed by these women survivors that teaches us. In the words of one of the survivors, it is ‘the movement — that’s the hero.’ The movement, which was built by organizers, survivors, and workers, will live on and continue to fight for justice, truth and accountability.
The allegations leveled against César Chávez — as reported in the New York Times expose — are shocking and horrifying. I support a full and thorough investigation of these deeply disturbing allegations, and my heart goes out to my friend Dolores Huerta and anyone else who suffered abuse. It’s important to remember that the labor rights movement — built on respect for human dignity and collective power — is larger than any one individual. We remain committed to honoring that history and the basic human rights that the movement fought to recognize.
Today's revelations about César Chávez and his sexual abuse of women and underage minors are shocking, incredibly disappointing, and deeply painful. This goes completely against our commitment to justice and community empowerment. To the survivors: we believe you. We honor your courage, and we are very sorry for the harm you have carried in the shadows for so long. The César Chávez Foundation acknowledges the prevalence of the abuse of women and children. We are committed to restorative justice and healing for those who have been harmed, and to ensure our organization reflects the dignity and safety every person deserves. We are working with leaders in the field of sexual abuse and trauma. With their help, we will figure out the best ways to support this work through the Foundation and be part of the broader solution to raise awareness and prevent mistreatment of women, especially in the communities we advocate for. The Movement was never about one man - it belonged to the people who built it, and it belongs to the communities we continue to serve today. The Movement was built by thousands of ordinary women, men, and families from all walks of life who sacrificed for justice they believed in. Their contributions and the communities they transformed, belong to all of them. They cannot and will not be erased. Although these revelations change how we remember César Chávez as a person, it does not change our commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Today, our organization is carried by hundreds of women and men dedicated to our mission of inspiring and transforming communities. Our work centers on serving people through affordable housing, education, economic opportunity, and community development. With the full support of the Chávez Family, we are actively engaging in a necessary conversation about our organization's identity - one which we will approach with the seriousness, community input, and care it deserves. We invite our partners and community members to join us in this critical moment to uplift our core values.
I am nearly 96 years old, and for the last 60 years have kept a secret because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for.
I have encouraged people to always use their voice. Following the New York Times’ multi-year investigation into sexual misconduct by Cesar Chavez, I can no longer stay silent and must share my own experiences.
As a young mother in the 1960s, I experienced two separate sexual encounters with César. The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn’t feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to. The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped.
I had experienced abuse and sexual violence before, and I convinced myself these were incidents that I had to endure alone and in secret. Both sexual encounters with César led to pregnancies. I chose to keep my pregnancies secret and, after the children were born, I arranged for them to be raised by other families that could give them stable lives.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to develop a deep relationship with these children, who are now close to my other children, their siblings. But even then, no one knew the full truth about how they were conceived until just a few weeks ago.
I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my life’s work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights and I wasn’t going to let Cesar or anyone else get in the way. I channeled everything I had into advocating on behalf of millions of farmworkers and others who were suffering and deserved equal rights.
I have never identified myself as a victim, but I now understand that I am a survivor — of violence, of sexual abuse, of domineering men who saw me, and other women, as property, or things to control.
I am telling my story because the New York Times has indicated that I was not the only one — there were others. Women are coming forward, sharing that they were sexually abused and assaulted by César when they were girls and teenagers.
The knowledge that he hurt young girls sickens me. My heart aches for everyone who suffered alone and in silence for years. There are no words strong enough to condemn those deplorable actions that he did. César’s actions do not reflect the values of our community and our movement.
The farmworker movement has always been bigger and far more important than any one individual. César’s actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people. We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever.
I will continue my commitments to workers, as well as my commitment to women’s rights, to make sure we have a voice and that our communities are treated with dignity and given the equity that they have so long been denied.
I have kept this secret long enough. My silence ends here.
To our members and community, This statement contains information about César Chávez that will be shocking and disturbing. La Unión del Pueblo Entero has learned of disturbing allegations about César Chávez during his time as leader of United Farm Workers. The allegations involve inappropriate sexual misconduct with women and abuse of teenage girls. We are taking these allegations seriously and are working with farm worker movement organizations to address them. We are establishing a confidential and independent process through which people who were harmed by César Chávez can share their stories, and, if they chose to do so, participate in an accountability and reparations process. As an organization rooted in justice and protecting our community, these allegations are indefensible. LUPE in South Texas is an organization that was built primarily by women and is led primarily by women, and we understand the severity of this news and the pain and distress it will cause to many people, especially survivors of abuse. While we process this news and wait for more information, our priority is to keep our community safe and approach this firmly rooted in our values. As we have been since 2003 when LUPE was founded in South Texas, we are committed to continuing our work alongside thousands of LUPE members and community leaders in the Rio Grande Valley.
LUPE will not participate in any César Chávez Day activities.
As the allegations surrounding Cesar Chavez are concerning and continue to be addressed, March 31st should remain a day dedicated to honoring the farmworkers, including community leaders who dedicated their lives advocating for dignity, fair wages, and fundamental human rights.
This morning, I spoke with Betsy Keller, Chief Administrator, to add an agenda item for the March 30th Commissioners Court meeting to recognize the farmworkers whose labor and sacrifice have helped shape our nation.
El Paso County will also observe this year’s federal holiday as a moment to acknowledge the resilience and contributions of farmworkers, working families, and all those whose dedication continues to strengthen our communities.
Our hearts are with all victims of sexual violence. We stand in support of those who have endured the unimaginable and honor their strength.
I am deeply troubled by the recent allegations and historical accounts of abuse associated with César Chávez. The reports of sexual abuse are disturbing and horrific, and they must be acknowledged with honesty and seriousness. I want to recognize the courage of the survivors and every person who has been harmed. Speaking up about abuse, especially when it involves figures whose legacies are deeply woven into our history, takes tremendous strength. Those voices deserve to be heard, respected, and believed.
The farmworker movement and the broader fight for civil rights are bigger than any one person. They were built by generations of farmworkers, women, organizers, and immigrant families who demanded dignity, safety, and fair treatment. Their sacrifices and their courage are what shaped that movement, and their stories should remain at the center of how we remember this history.
I believe our public art, monuments, and the way we represent our history should reflect our community’s values. I look forward to discussing this with my colleagues on Commissioners Court and hearing from the public as we consider how our history is represented and what we choose to honor moving forward.
These are heartbreaking, horrific accounts of abuse. I stand with the survivors, commend them for their bravery in sharing their stories, and condemn the abhorrent actions they described. The survivors deserve to be heard. They deserve to be supported. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
There must be zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, and the silencing of victims, no matter who is involved.
Confronting painful truths and ensuring accountability is essential to honoring the very values the greater farm worker movement stands for — values rooted in dignity and justice for all.
These allegations are deeply disturbing, and our first concern is with the women who have come forward, including Dolores Huerta, who we have long respected. It takes real courage to speak out, especially when so many felt they had to stay silent for decades. No one, regardless of their status or legacy, is above accountability. When a leader puts himself ahead of the people and the movement he was meant to serve, that is a profound betrayal of the very values that movement was built on. We stand with survivors and support a full and transparent reckoning. How we choose to honor people should reflect our values, and we are prepared to lead efforts to remove the Cesár Chávez state holiday and replace it with recognition that uplift leaders like Dolores Huerta.
Editor's Note: The Rio Grande Guardian will bring more reaction as it comes in.
La Joya ISD is aware of recent allegations that have prompted questions and concerns within our community regarding the naming of Cesar Chavez Middle School.
We understand the significance that school names carry for our students, staff, families, and the broader community. They reflect our shared values, history, and the individuals we choose to honor as these individuals reflect our shared values and ideals as a community.
Upon our return from Spring Break, the District will take time to review all relevant information carefully and thoughtfully. We will begin an open and transparent process to engage stakeholders, provide updates, and outline next steps. Any future actions will be guided by facts, community input, and the District’s commitment to doing what is in the best interest of our students, families, and community.
La Joya ISD remains committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive environment, where our community is included in our decisions and students feel safe and welcomed in all of our campuses. Communicating with our families and staff in a timely and transparent manner is a continued priority and we will share more as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move through this process as a community.
Governor Greg Abbott today released the following statement regarding the allegations against Cesar Chavez:
"The State of Texas will not observe the Cesar Chavez Day holiday. I am directing all Texas state agency heads to comply. In the upcoming legislative session, I will work with Texas lawmakers to remove Cesar Chavez Day from state law altogether.
"Reports of the horrific and widely acknowledged sexual assault allegations against Cesar Chavez rightfully dismantle the myth of this progressive hero and undermine the narrative that elevated Chavez as a figure worthy of official state celebration."
