Trending Now - Cesar Chavez Day Events Scrapped Following Assault Allegations

WHO:

Dolores Huerta, labor leader and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, stated she had two non-consensual "sexual encounters" with Cesar Chavez that ended in pregnancy.

Huerta is currently 95 years old and remains active in politics.

Juan Jose Gutierrez, executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrant Coalition, expressed "utter disappointment" over the allegations against Chavez, stating, "It’s a bitter pill to swallow because I mean, Cesar Chavez is an icon."

United Farm Workers (UFW)

Cesar Chavez Foundation

Juan Jose Gutierrez, executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrant Coalition

Cesar Chavez, late farmworker organizer and co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW)

United Farm Workers (UFW)

Cesar Chavez Foundation

Dolores Huerta, labor leader and co-founder of UFW

Eric Olvera, spokesperson for Dolores Huerta

WHAT:

Huerta described feeling "manipulated and pressured into having sex" with Chavez and stated, "I have never identified myself as a victim, but I now understand that I am a survivor — of violence, of sexual abuse, of domineering men."

Huerta arranged for the children from the pregnancies to be raised by other families after they were born.

The United Farm Workers (UFW) stated, "Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on. Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors."

The UFW announced it would not participate in any Cesar Chavez Day activities due to the allegations.

The UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are establishing a "confidential and independent channel for those who may have experienced harm caused by Cesar Chavez during the early days of the UFW’s history."

The Cesar Chavez Foundation stated, "In partnership with the UFW, we are establishing a safe and confidential process for those who wish to share their experiences of historic harm, and, if they choose to, participate in efforts toward repair and reconciliation."

The United Farm Workers (UFW) stated, "We are deeply shocked and saddened by what we are hearing," regarding the allegations against Chavez.

The UFW announced it will call on allies and supporters to participate in "immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers" instead of participating in Cesar Chavez Day activities.

UFW announced it will not participate in any Cesar Chavez Day activities due to "deeply troubling allegations" against Chavez.

UFW stated, "We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations."

UFW is calling on allies and supporters to participate in "immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers" instead of Chavez Day activities.

The Cesar Chavez Foundation expressed it is "deeply shocked and saddened" by the allegations and is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement to support those who may have been harmed.

UFW stated, "The allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose."

UFW announced it will call on allies and supporters to participate in "immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers" instead of participating in Cesar Chavez Day activities.

UFW announced it will not participate in events honoring Cesar Chavez due to allegations of abuse.

UFW stated it has no "firsthand knowledge" of the allegations but finds them serious enough to take action.

Events honoring Chavez in cities including San Antonio, Tucson, Houston, Corpus Christi, and San Bernardino have been canceled.

UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are establishing a confidential channel for individuals to share experiences of harm.

Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66.

Chavez Day is observed on March 31st, established as a federal holiday by President Barack Obama in 2014.

WHERE:

Events canceled in San Antonio, Tucson, Houston, Corpus Christi, and San Bernardino.

Chavez's operational headquarters was in Keene, California.

WHEN:

The UFW's statement regarding the allegations was released on March 15th, 2026.

UFW's statement was released on March 15th, 2026.

Chavez Day is observed on March 31st, 2026.

Chavez died in 1993.

WHY:

Huerta expressed that the allegations against Chavez "do not reflect the values of our community and our movement" and emphasized that the "farmworker movement has always been bigger and far more important than any one individual."

The UFW described the allegations as "incompatible with our organization’s values" and stated, "Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing."

UFW described the allegations as "incompatible with our organization’s values" and stated, "Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing."

Allegations against Chavez involve inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors, which UFW states are "incompatible with our organization’s values."

UFW aims to provide support for individuals who may have been victimized.

HOW:

The UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are establishing a "safe and confidential process for those who wish to share their experiences of historic harm, and, if they choose to, participate in efforts toward repair and reconciliation."

The UFW is working to establish a confidential and independent channel for those who may have been harmed by Chavez during the union's early days.

UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are establishing a "confidential and independent channel for those who may have experienced harm caused by Cesar Chavez during the early days of the UFW’s history."

UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are working together to create a safe and confidential process for sharing experiences of harm.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 19:22 UTC)

Dolores Huerta, the 95-year-old labor leader and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, revealed that she had two non-consensual sexual encounters with Cesar Chavez that resulted in pregnancies, describing her feelings of manipulation and pressure. Huerta stated, "I have never identified myself as a victim, but I now understand that I am a survivor — of violence, of sexual abuse, of domineering men," and she arranged for the children from those pregnancies to be raised by other families. In light of these revelations, the United Farm Workers and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are creating a safe and confidential process for individuals to share their experiences of historic harm and participate in efforts toward repair and reconciliation.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 17:20 UTC)

The United Farm Workers announced they will not participate in any Cesar Chavez Day activities due to serious allegations involving the abuse of young women and minors. In response, they are collaborating with the Cesar Chavez Foundation to create a confidential and independent channel for individuals who may have experienced harm during the early days of the UFW's history. The UFW emphasized that these allegations are incompatible with their organization's values and described the situation as deeply troubling.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 15:21 UTC)

The United Farm Workers expressed deep shock and sadness over recent allegations against Cesar Chavez, stating that these claims are "incompatible with our organization’s values." In light of the situation, they announced plans to shift focus from Cesar Chavez Day activities to immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers. Additionally, the UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are working to create a confidential channel for individuals who may have experienced harm during the early days of the organization.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 03:47 UTC)

The United Farm Workers announced last Monday that it will not participate in any Cesar Chavez Day activities due to deeply troubling allegations against Chavez, which they describe as incompatible with their organization's values. In their statement, they expressed that while they have not received direct reports or firsthand knowledge of these allegations, they are calling on allies and supporters to engage in immigration justice events instead. The Cesar Chavez Foundation, also shocked and saddened by the news, is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement to support those who may have been harmed and is establishing a confidential channel for individuals to come forward.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 01:28 UTC)

The United Farm Workers, or UFW, has announced urgent steps in response to serious allegations that they describe as incompatible with their values, stating that these claims about potential victimization of young women or girls are crushing. Instead of participating in Cesar Chavez Day activities, UFW is calling on allies and supporters to join them in "immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers." To provide support for those affected, UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation are setting up a confidential and independent channel for individuals to share their experiences related to harm caused by Chavez during the early days of the organization.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:21 UTC)

The United Farm Workers announced last Monday that it will not participate in events honoring Cesar Chavez due to serious allegations of abuse, which they say are incompatible with the organization's values. As a result, events in cities such as San Antonio, Tucson, Houston, Corpus Christi, and San Bernardino have been canceled, and UFW is establishing a confidential channel for individuals to share their experiences of harm. Chavez Day, which is observed on March 31, was established as a federal holiday by President Obama in 2014, and Chavez, a prominent labor leader, passed away in 1993.