‘The labor movement has never been about one individual.’ How César Chávez fell from grace

The rumblings began to unravel on Tuesday, as the United Farmworkers (UFW) and the César Chávez Foundation released statements cancelling all events celebrating the labor union leader in light of “disturbing allegations.” 

March 31, Cesar Chávez’s birthday, was the date legislated to commemorate the accomplishments of Chávez since 2001, when California first observed the holiday. Several states followed suit. 

But on Wednesday, the New York Times published an exposé on Chávez alleging that he raped a 15-year-old girl and abused a 13-year-old. Dolores Huerta, who cofounded the farmworkers union with Chávez, also said she was both coerced into having sex and later raped by him, resulting in two pregnancies. 

Huerta said she kept it a secret because she didn’t want to hurt the farmworkers' movement. 

Reaction from local, state and national leaders was swift. Many expressed pain, shock and devastation. They also expressed support for the survivors. 

“The labor movement has never been about one individual,” Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO said. “It has always been and must continue to be about the collective power of working people coming together to demand dignity, fairness and justice.” 

“None of us knew,” Governor Gavin Newsom said. 

The city of Bakersfield called off plans to rename H Street after the labor leader following the allegations.

California Rising organizers called for the immediate renaming of the LA street.

State lawmakers announced Thursday they’ve introduced legislation to officially rename César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day.

Meanwhile, Dolores Huerta spoke to Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa as her first interview after the New York Times story broke. 

CALÓ News had previously published a column about Chávez’s anti-immigration views.  

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