Farm labor leader Cesar Chavez will no longer be celebrated this year by the union he co-founded, United Farm Workers, amid allegations the late civil rights advocate “engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors.”
The legacy of Chavez, who was 66 when he died in 1993, typically is commemorated on March 31, which in 2014 was dubbed Cesar Chavez Day, a federal commemorative holiday.
Though UFW’s statement says “we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations,” the labor organizations adds that “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 organization has canceled all of this month’s Cesar Chavez Day activities, characterizing the allegations against Chavez as being “against everything that we stand for.”
UFW said that some of the allegations stem from “family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on.”
The Cesar Chavez Foundation said in a statement Tuesday that it was “deeply shocked and saddened” after learning of allegations its namesake “engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors during his time as President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW).”
The foundation said it was partnering with UFW to create “a safe and confidential process” for those who want to open up about enduring “historic harm, and, if they choose to, participate in efforts toward repair and reconciliation.”
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office on Tuesday reportedly released a statement saying that due to the “troubling allegations,” Chavez’s home state would also “not recognize Cesar Chavez Day this year. Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected.”
Celebrations have reportedly also been canceled across multiple cities in Texas, as well as a commemorative dinner in Michigan.