Cesar Chavez Foundation responds to allegations of sexual misconduct against founder

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Cesar Chavez Foundation said they are “deeply shocked and saddened” after learning about allegations of sexual misconduct involving Cesar Chavez.

The California-based foundation said they have become aware of allegations that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors while he was President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). 

The allegations were first reported on by the New York Times. 

“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 a statement.

The foundation and UFW are setting up a confidential process for those who want to share their experiences of historic harm and potentially participate in efforts toward repair and reconciliation.

“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,” the foundation said.

In a statement, UFW said they also learned of allegations that Chavez behaved in ways that are incompatible with the organization’s values. The union said some of the reports are family issues and not their story to tell or their place to comment on. They said they don’t have any firsthand knowledge of the allegations.

“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. We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations,” UFW said.

UFW said they won’t be taking part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities. They called on their supporters to take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers or empower vulnerable people.

“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.

Chavez is a co-founder of the UFW, along with labor leader Dolores Huerta. 

In a statement Wednesday morning, Huerta revealed Chavez pressured her into sex on two occasions in the 1960s, resulting in secret children that were then “raised by other families that could give them stable lives.” 

“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 said in her statement. 

Meanwhile, UC Davis tells ABC10 they have removed Chavez’s name from a long-running youth event, formerly called the César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference.

“We are aware of troubling reports concerning alleged behavior by César Chávez during his life as a labor leader and activist,” UC Davis spokesperson James Nash told ABC10. “In light of this, UC Davis is removing Chávez’s name from the conference, which will now be known as the Avanza Rising Scholars Conference. We remain committed to offering leadership opportunities and mentorship to youth and families through the conference and other programming.”

“Since 2001, tens of thousands of junior high, high school and community college students from predominantly low-income and underrepresented backgrounds have participated in our annual college access conference in coordination with UC Davis’ Avanza Initiative,” Nash said. “The conference connects young people with campus resources, information and guidance to support their path to higher education, and that mission will continue.”