Allegations of sexual abuse tied to late labor leader Cesar Chavez are casting uncertainty over upcoming Cesar Chavez Day events, prompting the very union he co-founded to step back from this year’s commemorations.
According to Reuters, the United Farm Workers (UFW) confirmed it will not participate in annual celebrations honoring Chavez on March 31, following reports of alleged inappropriate sexual behavior involving young women and, in some cases, minors.
While the union stated it has no direct or firsthand knowledge of the claims, it acknowledged that some of the allegations, particularly those involving young women or girls, are “deeply troubling.”
The Cesar Chavez Foundation, which oversees Chavez’s legacy and memorial sites, said the alleged behavior occurred during his tenure as president of the UFW. The organization added that it is working alongside the union to establish confidential channels for individuals who may have been harmed to come forward and seek support.
Chavez, who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962—later becoming the UFW—rose to national prominence through nonviolent protests, labor strikes, and boycotts advocating for better wages and working conditions for agricultural workers.
His efforts, including the historic Delano grape strike, helped transform labor organizing in the United States and earned him widespread recognition. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, and his birthday was designated a federal commemorative holiday in 2014.
In a statement addressing the allegations, the UFW noted that some reports involve private family matters but emphasized that claims involving minors carry particular weight. “Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing,” the union said, underscoring the seriousness of the situation while stopping short of confirming specific incidents.
The controversy arrives amid a broader cultural shift in how institutions respond to allegations of abuse, particularly in the years following the #MeToo movement. Several cities are reportedly reconsidering or canceling Chavez Day events, while others are exploring renaming or restructuring them to reflect the evolving conversation around accountability and historical legacy.
Anyone with information about child exploitation or abuse is encouraged to report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children through its Cyber Tip line or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST.