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California lawmakers are moving to rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day in response to the recent allegations of sexual abuse against Cesar Chavez.
On Tuesday, the United Farm Workers released a statement explaining they received reports of allegations against co-founder Cesar Chavez for abuse of women and minors. This comes just two weeks before Cesar Chavez Day.
Dolores Huerta, a UFW co-founder, also came forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Chavez. In a statement released by Huerta, she detailed the two separate alleged encounters she had with Chavez, both being against her will and resulted in secret pregnancies.
“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,” Huerta wrote in a statement.
Huerta released her statement after an investigation by the New York Times, published on Wednesday, revealed two other victims who were allegedly abused by Chavez, who were 12 and 13 when the alleged abuse started.
Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke to the press on Wednesday, expressing his shock at the allegations.
“It’s been hard to absorb this. Jenn and I are very close with Dolores. So many of us are. Very close. Have been for decades and decades and none of us knew,” Newsom said.
The Cal State University Employees Union also released a statement of solidarity with Dolores Huerta and the other victims.
“Our Union expresses unequivocal solidarity with and support for Dolores Huerta in light of the deeply shocking accusations she and others have raised about Cesar Chavez’s horrific conduct toward women and minors while leading a movement for farmworkers’ rights,” members of the employees union wrote in a statement.
The statement continued by calling upon the “labor world” to come together at this moment to support the victims of Chavez’s alleged “predation.”
The allegations have shocked Cal Poly’s Latine community
“He is not someone who should be idolized,” said Dayanara Alvarez, a second-year animal science major at Cal Poly, when asked about her reactions towards the allegations against Cesar Chavez.
Alvarez acknowledged that Chavez was a prominent leader in the Chicano movement but was extremely shocked and disappointed at the entire situation.
“Dolores Huerta deserves better,” Alvarez said.
In an email to Mustang News, Jose Navarro, chair of the ethnic studies department, wrote, “We are deeply disturbed by these allegations. Such acts of violence are unconscionable. We remain committed to providing any support we can for survivors.”
Other students had more conflicted feelings about the situation, especially with the positive impact that Chavez had on farmworkers’ struggles.
“I know Cesar Chavez is an important figure,” Melody Garibay said. “But hearing these allegations is honestly really unsettling.”
Garibay, a second-year business administration major, does not think someone’s impact should put them above being held accountable.
Others are grateful for the treatment and support the victims of the alleged abuse are getting from the public.
“While this is shocking news, I am honestly surprised and grateful with how well they’re handling this,” said Remi Licona, a second-year marine science major.
Licona expressed that it’s refreshing to see the victims being provided with support even though it’s been decades since the alleged abuse took place.
“I hope people don’t use Cesar’s actions as a way to diminish the work that the UFW has done,” Licona said.
Universities taking action
According to the New York Times, Fresno State University has covered up a statue of Chavez and the University of California, Davis has removed his name from a youth leadership conference.
At time of publication, the Cal Poly academic calendar still marks March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. In an email to Mustang News, Keegan Koberl said Cal Poly and the Cal State system are “deeply troubled” by the allegations.
“The CSU is firmly committed to fostering university environments centered on respect, integrity and the safety and dignity of all members of our campus communities,” Koberl wrote.
Cal Poly is carefully reviewing the information and considering appropriate courses of action and currently has no plans for specific events marking the day, according to Koberl. The United Farm Workers stated they will not take part in any celebrations for Cesar Chavez Day.