Upcoming events in Tucson and other cities linked to late labor leader Cesar Chavez are being canceled or renamed amid "deeply troubling allegations" that reportedly center on sexual abuse of young women and minors.
The union he co-founded, United Farm Workers of America, and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are distancing themselves from the union leader and civil rights activist who was born in Yuma and fought for the rights of farmworkers until his death in 1993.
The Tucson City Council planned to declare March 31, Chavez's birthday, as "César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Day" during its meeting Tuesday night, but the item was removed from its agenda. Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which later became the United Farm Workers of America.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said Tuesday afternoon that she is "personally devastated by the serious abuse allegations" leveled against Chavez.
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"I know how important it is to make sure everyone knows help and resources are available to people who need them right now. We must believe survivors and help all heal," Romero said in a social media post. "My parents and other farm-working families in Somerton and across California and Arizona participated in the United Farm Workers' fight for fair wages and better, safer working conditions in the fields. Those changes significantly improved the conditions we experienced and made a difference to me, my family and so many others."
The United Farm Workers union has distanced itself from annual celebrations of its founder, César Chávez, seen here in his California office in 1965. The union cited "troubling," but unspecified allegations.
U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Tucson said Tuesday: “I am deeply troubled by recent reports of allegations of sexual abuse, including incidents involving minors, brought against Cesar E. Chavez. To the survivors: estamos con ustedes — we are with you. We hear you, we believe you, and we admire the immense courage it takes to speak out.
"I know that there is a profound sense of grief in our community today that may bring mixed emotions," Grijalva continued in her written statement. "The betrayal of trust by a leader who had such a significant impact on our community is difficult to comprehend. It is ok to feel angry, shocked, heartbroken, saddened, confused, and dismayed — all at the same time. We still have more questions than answers. However, it is important to remember that one person does not define a movement. We, the people, are the movement.
"El movimiento has always been rooted in justice, and justice demands that survivors are supported and heard. I stand with them unequivocally," the congersswoman said.
Romero was a Tucson City Council member when the city holiday in Chavez's honor was created. Recently, the City Council added Huerta's name to the local holiday. Moving forward, the City Council "will consider the input of the community on how to address the name of the holiday while continuing to honor workers and acknowledging the work that still needs to be done," Romero said.
She encouraged community members to attend the Arizona César E. Chávez + Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition's event this Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. at Rudy Garcia Park, 5001 S. Nogales Hwy.
The local group announced Monday it is renaming its event to the "Comunidad y Labor Unit Fair" and canceling its annual march and car show.
"The rally is still happening and we encourage our community to join us. We will be having folklorico, music, food trucks, vendors and speakers addressing the needs and issues surrounding our community," the coalition said in a social media post. "Coming together in unity is powerful. Our presence, our voices, and our solidarity matter now more than ever. Let's continue honoring the legacy of our movement and building community power together."
Hundreds of people marched on Tucson's south side in March 2009 on behalf of the Arizona Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Coalition.
Several planned Cesar Chavez celebrations in San Francisco, Texas and Arizona were canceled at the request of the foundation, according to the Associated Press.
The Arizona-born Chávez grew up in a Mexican-American family that traveled around California picking lettuce, grapes, cotton and other seasonal crops. He died in California in 1993 at age 66.
Chavez is known nationally for his early organizing in the fields, a hunger strike, a grape boycott and eventual victory in getting growers to negotiate with farmworkers for better wages and working conditions.
California became the first state to establish March 31, Chávez's birthday, as a day commemorating the labor leader. Others followed. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31 as National Cesar Chavez Day, urging Americans to honor his legacy.
The UFW, in a statement Tuesday, said it will not take part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities due to the "deeply troubling allegations." It instead called on supporters to "take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers or empower vulnerable people in their own communities."
"Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on. Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors. Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing," UFW said in a statement.
"We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations. However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose," the statement reads.
The union said in the coming weeks it is partnering with experts to establish "an external, confidential, independent channel ... for those who wish to share their experiences of harm, to identify their current impacts and needs, and, if desired, to participate in a collective process to develop mechanisms for repair and accountability."
"These allegations have been profoundly shocking. We need some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it," UFW said.
The Cesar Chavez Foundation said Tuesday it is "deeply shocked and saddened" by the allegations and will be partnering with the UFW to establish a "safe and confidential process for those who wish to share their experiences of historic harm, and, if they choose to, participate in efforts toward repair and reconciliation."
"The Foundation is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement to be responsive to these allegations, support the people who may have been harmed by his actions, and ensure we are united and guided by our commitment to justice and community empowerment," the foundation said in its statement. "We ask for our community’s patience as we learn more. Throughout this process, our organization and our partners in the movement will continue our work together to protect and uplift the families and communities that we serve."
