Most of us, when recalling César Chávez, the leader of the farmworkers’ movement in the United States, think about his work to defend racial equality. This has been the case for several decades, especially after his death in 1993.
However, in these past hours strong accusations against Chávez have emerged, which have created a strong impact in the community.
According to a report by The New York Times, the activist has been accused of sexually abusing girls and women in the 1960s and 1970s, when he was at the forefront of a movement to improve the rights of agricultural workers.
One of the accusations that emerged was from Dolores Huerta, cofounder of the movement alongside Chávez.
Huerta published a statement on her social networks asserting that she was sexually assaulted on two occasions.
“The first time I was manipulated and pressured to have sexual relations with him, and I did not feel I could refuse, as he was someone I admired: my boss and the leader of the movement to which I had already dedicated years of my life. The second time I was forced, against my will and in an environment where I felt trapped,” declared Huerta.
At 96 years old, Huerta revealed for the first time her allegations of sexual assault; she also expressed being deeply disturbed about the accusations of those who claimed to have been 12 and 13 years old when Chávez sexually abused them for the first time.
The newspaper noted that it based its report on interviews with more than 60 people, including former high-ranking aides, relatives and former members of the United Farm Workers (UFW). It also examined union records, confidential emails, photographs and recordings of UFW board meetings.
Reactions have not been slow to come, and the César Chávez Day commemoration, celebrated every March 31, has been canceled in several cities.
In Houston, the César Chávez march for this year has been cancelled, according to the event organizers. They stated that they made the decision to cancel the event due to the accusations that have come to light.
Chávez, of Mexican-American origin, is one of the most celebrated and recognized Latinos in modern United States history, and an inspiration for generations who credit his work with inspiring their own activism and causes.
