Cesar Chavez celebrations canceled after ‘shocking’ allegations surface

(FOX40.COM) — The union founded by Cesar Chavez will not celebrate the March 31 holiday dedicated to the legendary labor leader after a “deeply troubling allegation” surfaced.

United Farm Workers, which represents thousands of agricultural laborers, announced Tuesday that the union has learned of allegations that Chavez “behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization’s values.”

“Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on,” the union said in a news release. “Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors. Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing.”

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The union said it does not have any firsthand knowledge of the accusations against Chavez and never received any direct reports, but organizers said the allegations are serious enough to cancel its involvement in any Cesar Chavez Day activities.

According to the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Chavez allegedly “engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors” during his time as president of UFW.

We are deeply shocked and saddened by what we are hearing,” the foundation said in a news release, vowing to support people harmed by Chavez.

In light of the allegations, UFW said it will create an “external, confidential, independent channel” for those harmed by Chavez in what the news release described as “the early days” of the union’s history.

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“These allegations have been profoundly shocking,” UFW said. “We need some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it.”

Chavez was born in Arizona before moving to California in the mid-1900s. In 1962, he and fellow labor leader Dolores Huerta founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the UFW. Chavez died in 1993.

Cesar Chavez Day, held on Chavez birthday, has been recognized as a state holiday since 1995. Former President Barack Obama declared it a commemorative federal holiday in 2014.

Instead of celebrating Chavez, UFW said it will instead call on supporters to “take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers or empower vulnerable people.”

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Before UFW’s announcement, groups in Texas and Arizona had announced cancellations of their own events celebrating Chavez.

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