GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City of Grand Rapids says it will not speculate on possible actions it could take as new allegations against labor rights icon Cesar Chavez emerge.
Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers union in 1962 and helped thousands of people receive better pay and work conditions, faces claims he abused several women and girls when he led the union.
Co-founder Dolores Huerta said Chavez groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the movement, including herself.
In a statement released Wednesday, Huerta said she stayed silent for 60 years out of concern that her words would hurt the farmworker movement.
Huerta described two sexual encounters with Chavez, one where she was “manipulated and pressured” and another where she was “forced against my will.”
“I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was life’s work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights and I wasn’t going to let César or anyone else get in the way.”
The United Farm Workers union distanced itself from annual celebrations of Chavez, saying allegations of "abuse of young women or minors" were concerning enough to urge people around the country to participate in immigration justice events or acts of service instead of the typical events in March to commemorate Chavez's legacy.
"Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on," the union said in its statement.
In Grand Rapids, he is honored with a street and elementary school named after him. There is also an annual celebration held in the city, which receives funding from the taxpayers.
When asked if Grand Rapids would react to the allegations by making changes, a city spokesperson said, "it would be premature to speculate on any potential actions."
While we are generally aware of recent allegations concerning Cesar Chavez, we do not have specific details at this time. As such, it would be premature to speculate on any potential actions regarding the street name. Questions concerning the future of any celebrations should be directed to the organizers at The Committee to Honor Cesar E. Chavez.
The annual Cesar Chavez celebration in Grand Rapids was held March 12. It included a march, speeches, and a luncheon. The event is put on by the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez.
The chairperson of that committee, Lupe Ramos-Montigny, released a statement on Wednesday, saying it will pause its engagement to provide more time for details to be brought to light.
"As we take this pause, we do so with intention—reaffirming that our mission is larger than any one individual and that our responsibility is to uphold the principles that have long defined our work and service to the community," wrote Ramos-Montigny.
The Committee to Honor César E. Chávez, Grand Rapids, is aware of the recent allegations involving César and recognize the seriousness of these concerns. At this time, we believe it is both responsible and necessary to pause our engagement in order to allow space for thoughtful reflection and a fuller understanding of the situation.
For more than two decades, our work has been rooted in a deep commitment to social justice, education, and equality. These values remain at the core of who we are and will continue to guide our decisions moving forward.
As we take this pause, we do so with intention—reaffirming that our mission is larger than any one individual and that our responsibility is to uphold the principles that have long defined our work and service to the community.
Meanwhile, Grand Rapids Public Schools sent a letter to parents and staff on Wednesday, acknowledging the allegations against Chavez.
In 2008, the district renamed one of its elementary schools after Chavez. Superintendent Dr. Leandriane Roby told GRPS families the district will evaluate next steps that match its values.
I am writing to acknowledge that we are aware of the troubling allegations being reported nationally about the namesake of César E. Chávez Elementary School. We recognize the seriousness of these reports, and our thoughts are with anyone who is impacted. Since César Chávez’s death in 1993, many organizations across the country have honored the labor organizer by naming buildings, streets, and schools after him. In 2008, GRPS took that same step by naming one of our schools César E. Chávez Elementary School. As we continue to learn more, we will evaluate next steps in alignment with our district’s values. We will provide updates as appropriate. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust.
Several Cesar Chavez celebrations in San Francisco, Texas and Chavez's home state of Arizona were canceled at the request of the foundation, which also said it's become aware of disturbing allegations about Chavez during his time as president of the union.
Both groups said they'd be working to establish ways for anyone who might have been harmed by Chavez to share experiences confidentially.
"These allegations have been profoundly shocking," the union statement said. "We need some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it."
California became the first state to establish March 31, Chavez's birthday, as a day commemorating the labor leader. Others followed. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31 as national Cesar Chavez Day, urging Americans to honor his legacy.
Streets, schools and parks bear Chavez's name. Born in Yuma, Arizona, Chavez grew up in a Mexican-American family that traveled around California picking lettuce, grapes, cotton and other seasonal crops. He died in California in 1993 at age 66.
Chavez is known nationally for his early organizing in the fields, a hunger strike, a grape boycott and eventual victory in getting growers to negotiate with farmworkers for better wages and working conditions.
In 1962, Chavez and Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which became the United Farm Workers of America.
Farmworkers are crucial to agribusiness in California, which grows nearly half the nation's fruits, nuts and vegetables.
Chavez protested against poor pay and often-miserable work conditions. There were no toilets in the fields for workers, who weeded fields with short-handled hoes that forced them to bend over for hours at a time.
Bosses frequently ignored the health and wages of their workers, many of whom were Spanish-speakers in the country temporarily or illegally and had little political or legal clout to prevent abuses.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
