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Allegations against labor leader and farmworker organizer Cesar Chavez emerged Wednesday after the publication of a New York Times investigation, which revealed details of abuse of multiple women and minors by Chavez.
Texas Public Radio has not independently verified any of the claims.
Among those coming forward are activist and United Farm Workers (U.F.W.) co-leader Dolores Huerta. She issued a statement on social media reinforcing sex abuse allegations against Chavez.
In her statement, Huerta, 95, said she had remained silent for decades out of concern for the farmworker movement she helped build with Chavez in 1962.
Huerta revealed that she had two children from her encounters with Chavez and arranged for them to be raised by other families. She’s now directing those impacted by sexual assault to her foundation's website for assistance and support.
In her statement, Huerta wrote that “We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever.”
On Tuesday, allegations began to surface about Chavez, the farmworker organizer who became a national civil rights icon and co-founded the United Farm Workers.
Also on Tuesday, the national Cesar Chavez Foundation and the U.F.W. released statements acknowledging claims of misconduct involving women and minors.
The foundation’s statement claims Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior during his time as president of the U.F.W.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by what we are hearing,” the statement said. “The Foundation is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement to be responsive to these allegations, support the people who may have been harmed by his actions, and ensure we are united and guided by our commitment to justice and community empowerment.”
According to the statement from the U.F.W., the claims are that Chavez “behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization’s values. Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors.”
The organization supports laborers and farm workers in Texas, California, Arizona, Washington state, Oregon, Michigan, and New York.
The U.F.W. also said it will not be taking part in any March 31 Cesar Chavez Day activities.
In early March, cancellations were already made due to what was originally described as a “sensitive matter.”
In February 2026, Huerta cancelled her annual speaking engagement at the Corpus Christi Cesar Chavez March and Festivities, scheduled for March 28, 2026, due to a double-booking. The festival was canceled on March 13, 2026.
The 29th annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice in San Antonio was canceled on March 6, 2026.
Organized by the local League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the city of Laredo, Texas, observes "Cesar Chavez Month" during March. The citizens' march to be held in Laredo on the last Saturday morning of March has also been canceled.
Annual parades in Tucson, Ariz. and San Francisco, Calif. are also canceled.
Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66 and would have turned 100 next year.
This is a developing story.
