The United Farm Workers union and the Cesar Chavez Foundation have paused annual celebrations of Cesar Chavez while they review recently surfaced allegations that the late labor leader abused young women and minors during his years at the head of the farmworker movement.
Union leaders said they were informed of accounts describing alleged abuse involving young women and minors and called the information "deeply troubling" and at odds with the organization's principles.
They noted that the reports did not come through the union's existing complaint channels but said the claims were serious enough to demand an immediate and careful response, according to ABC News.
The Cesar Chavez Foundation acknowledged learning of allegations that Chavez engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with women and minors while he led the United Farm Workers.
Foundation officials said they are coordinating with leaders in the broader farmworker movement to offer support to anyone who may have been harmed and to ensure any next steps are guided by a focus on safety and accountability.
As part of its response, the UFW has withdrawn from Chavez-related observances this year, including its traditional March events that commemorate his role in farmworker organizing.
The union has urged supporters to put their efforts into other campaigns, such as ongoing immigration and worker rights initiatives, while it concentrates on addressing the allegations and preparing resources for potential survivors.
Community organizers in several cities, including those who host long-running marches and commemorations named for Chavez, have also canceled or suspended events after being notified of the allegations, ABC7 News reported. Some groups had previously cited a "sensitive" issue for the changes and have now publicly connected those decisions to the reports concerning Chavez.
Both the union and the foundation say they are establishing confidential ways for individuals to come forward and are seeking trauma-informed counseling options for those affected by the news. Officials have asked for time to determine how to proceed and encouraged community members who feel distressed to seek mental health support.
Law enforcement agencies have not announced any formal probes into the allegations, and key details about the sources and time frame of the reports have not been made public.
Chavez, who died in 1993, has long been honored for organizing farmworkers for better wages and working conditions, with his name attached to schools, streets, and commemorative events throughout the country, as per the Los Angeles Times.
