The United Farm Workers said Tuesday that allegations have surfaced accusing Cesar Chavez, the late labor leader and UFW co-founder, of abusing “young women or minors.”
“The UFW has learned of deeply troubling allegations that one of the union’s co-founders, Cesar Chavez, behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization’s values,” the union said. It noted some reports involve private family matters, but added that accusations implying abuse of very young women or girls are “crushing.”
The union said it does not have firsthand knowledge of the claims and has not directly received reports detailing them. Still, it described the allegations as serious enough to warrant urgent action to learn more and to create space for anyone who might have been harmed to get support and share their experiences if they choose.
News of the allegations arrives about two weeks before Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, and several cities, including San Antonio, have canceled events honoring Chavez. The UFW said it will not participate in Cesar Chavez Day activities.
The Cesar Chavez Foundation also issued a statement saying it had become aware of “disturbing allegations that Cesar Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors” while he led the UFW. The foundation said it was “deeply shocked and saddened,” and that it is working with farmworker movement leaders to respond, support potential victims, and uphold commitments to justice and community empowerment.
Both organizations said they will set up a confidential, independent channel for people who believe they were harmed by Chavez to share their experiences. The UFW described the channel as a way for survivors to report harms, identify current needs, and, if desired, take part in a collective process to seek repair and accountability. The union added that it needs time to ensure “robust, trauma-informed services” are available to those who may need them.
Chavez, who died in 1993 at 66, remains a central figure in farmworker and immigrant rights history. His leadership of strikes, boycotts and protests helped win better wages and working conditions for agricultural workers. Cesar Chavez Day was designated a federal commemorative holiday by President Barack Obama in 2014.