Cesar Chavez, icon of the Latino civil rights movement, accused of sexually abusing girls and women for decades

"The face of the Latino civil rights movement in the United States sexually abused girls and women for decades, according to an investigation by The New York Times published Wednesday. The story reveals that Cesar Chavez, co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), the largest farmworkers union in the country, manipulated and abused minors close to the movement he led from the 1960s until his death in 1993."

"Several accusations from women, now adults, who remained silent about the abuse they suffered as children for decades, out of shame, but also out of fear of speaking out against a man who has become a historical icon of the Latino community in the United States. They even hesitated about telling their stories at a time when Latinos are being persecuted by the Trump administration and its machinery of mass deportations."

"The union, after learning of the newspaper's investigation, issued a statement acknowledging that it was aware of deeply troubling allegations against Chavez, though it did not provide further details. The UFW announced it would not participate in any of the events held in his honor each March, especially on the 31st, his birthday, and said it was working to establish a reporting channel for those who wish to share their experiences of harm."

A New York Times investigation reveals that Cesar Chavez, co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), sexually abused multiple girls and women over decades until his death in 1993. Dolores Huerta, the Chicana leader who co-founded the UFW with Chavez, alleges she was raped by him. Several women, now adults, remained silent about childhood abuse for decades due to shame and fear of speaking against a historical icon of the Latino community. Their hesitation to come forward was compounded by concerns about speaking out during a period of Latino persecution and mass deportations. The UFW acknowledged awareness of troubling allegations against Chavez and announced it would cease participating in his birthday celebrations and establish reporting channels for abuse victims.

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