This story was updated Wednesday March 18, 2026.
FRESNO, Calif. – Allegations of sexual misconduct against late civil rights leader and founder of the United Farm Workers, Cesar E. Chavez, broke out in the open Wednesday after one of his closest allies in the movement spoke out that she was abused by him.
A statement issued by civil rights leader Dolores Huerta Wednesday morning said she was sexually abused by Chavez in the early days of the labor union.
Huerta, 95, said she became pregnant twice as a result but she decided to place the children in the care of other families. She said she kept silent about the pregnancies and about her encounters with Chavez because she did not want to hurt the farm worker movement.
The never-before-revealed information came after rumors of misconduct by Chavez began swirling weeks ago and led to a flurry of event cancellations across multiple states just days ahead of national commemorations in his honor. Chavez died in 1993.
Details of abuse by Chavez were also published in an extensive New York Times article on Wednesday. It features a woman in Bakersfield who said she, too, was abused by Chavez when she was 13 years old.
The United Farm Workers issued a statement on Tuesday saying what they have learned is “incompatible with our organization’s values.”
“Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing,” the statement read.
In light of this, the UFW said it was halting all planned events around Cesar Chavez Day, which is held on March 31st.
The union said it was establishing ways for anyone who may have been victimized “during the early days of the UFW’s history” by Chavez to come forward with confidentiality and seek help.
The allegations have been anticipated even since events began being abruptly cancelled earlier this month initially with no specific reasons.
The news is a major shock to communities who are familiar with Chavez’s work. His movement to organize farmworkers was born in the San Joaquin Valley. Huerta, who co-founded the movement alongside Chavez, still runs a non-profit in headquartered in Kern County.
Chavez inspired decades of activism for farmworkers that is still active today. The UFW said the organization’s work continues to be important as federal policy changes hit the labor force.
Since his death, Chavez’s supporters have fought to name schools and streets after him, and President Obama proclaimed March 31st Cesar Chavez Day in 2014.
Arturo Rodriguez, who co-founded the farmworker-centered Central Valley Empowerment Alliance in Tulare County, was shocked to learn of any allegations of abuse involving Chavez and as of Tuesday had said he was holding some skepticism until more was known.
That was before the full story about Chavez was released on Wednesday.
“There's never been any discussion of that kind of behavior. It's just completely disgusting and disturbing,” he said.
Members of the UFW plan to gather Wednesday afternoon outside a federal courthouse in Fresno to protest cuts to farmworker wages that went into effect last year.
