Union Statement on Cesar Chavez

We are in shock following today’s New York Times investigative piece about Cesar Chavez’s reported pattern of sexual abuse and assault over decades, including grooming minors. Before all else, we stand in solidarity with Dolores Huerta and the other brave abuse survivors for finally speaking their truth and hope they find healing and catharsis. 

The accomplishments of the National Farm Workers Association were bigger than any one individual and cannot be diminished, even in the wake of today’s devastating investigative report. Farmworkers rights are a critical piece of the labor movement and while we have made tremendous progress, we have a long way to go, particularly as we fight for immigrant workers. We will continue our strong partnerships with organizations that fight for farmworkers and immigrant communities.  

However, we will no longer continue any recognition or praise of Chavez in our organization. We plan to remove any celebrations in Chavez’s name and seek to recognize other labor leaders who lift up marginalized workers in those spaces.