Veteran civil rights leader Dolores Huerta has accused Cesar Chavez, her longtime colleague and co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), of sexually assaulting her in the 1960s. In a statement released Wednesday, Huerta, 96, said she was compelled to share her experience following a New York Times investigation that detailed a broader pattern of sexual misconduct allegations against Chavez, including testimonies from women who claimed abuse during their youth. Chavez, who died in 1993, had long been celebrated as a key figure in advancing labor rights in the United States.
Huerta described two encounters with Chavez, stating that the first involved manipulation and pressure, while the second was non-consensual and occurred in circumstances where she felt trapped. She revealed that both incidents resulted in pregnancies, which she kept secret, arranging for the children to be raised by other families. Huerta explained that she had remained silent for decades out of concern that speaking out might harm the farmworker movement she had devoted her life to, emphasizing that Chavez’s actions did not reflect its values.
The Chavez family said it was devastated by the revelations but did not dispute the allegations, expressing support for survivors. The controversy has prompted the UFW and several local authorities to cancel or reconsider events and honors associated with Chavez, including commemorations tied to his March 31 birthday. Prominent Latino organizations have condemned the alleged actions while stressing that the contributions of farmworkers and the broader movement should not be overshadowed.
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