Multiple congressmen, Hispanic advocacy organizations and California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday condemned the alleged sexual abuse committed by the late Cesar Chavez (1927-1993), an iconic farm worker union leader in the United States, accused by two women and fellow labor activist Dolores Huerta.
An investigation by The New York Times revealed Wednesday the allegations of two Latinas who claim that Chavez sexually abused them when they were still minors.
Widespread condemnation of the accusations against César Chávez
Gavin Newsom (D-CA ) on accusations that Cesar Chavez abused girls: “We’re just I think all of us are processing it…We’re for justice. We’re for the truth. We’re for transparency. We want to have the backs of our victims, but it’s a sensitive, sensitive moment.” pic.twitter.com/lTtgxXMrOv
– CSPAN (@cspan) March 18, 2026
The accusation is added to the statements made by Huerta, who together with Chavez led the movement, in which she confessed that she was pressured and forced to have sexual relations with the leader from which she became pregnant twice.
The accusations have come as a surprise to politicians, activists and organizations that have condemned Chavez and have expressed solidarity with the victims.
California Governor Gavin Newsom admitted at a press conference that “none of us” knew about it and that action will be taken.
“We are in favor of justice, truth, transparency. We support the victims,” he stressed.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) warned in a statement that “accountability never dies” and stressed that it “unequivocally believes” in the survivors’ testimonies and stands in solidarity with them, and strongly condemned Chavez’s actions as “abhorrent”.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the U.S., also rejected the behavior of which Chavez is accused.
“No person, regardless of stature or legacy, is above accountability when it comes to protecting and respecting the dignity of others,” the organization said in a statement.
For its part, Voto Latino said that the alleged sexual abuse of women and minors by Chavez “is indefensible” and condemns them absolutely.
The organization that promotes Latino political participation acknowledged that the news “is devastating” for that community.
California in shock
Letter by letter, crews cover up “Plaza De Cesar Chavez” in San Jose. pic.twitter.com/zbEzifBWbE
– scott budman (@scottbudman) March 20, 2026
The New York newspaper’s investigation has hit California hard, the state where Chavez was recognized for his union struggle, after leading along with Huerta and other leaders the Delano grape pickers’ strike, in the Central Valley of the Golden State, which began in September 1965, extended for years and served so that, for the first time, farm workers of different origins -Mexicans, Filipinos and Chinese- would unite in a common front.
As of Tuesday, the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) cancelled the celebrations in honor of Chavez.
In a statement he called the abuse allegations “shocking, disturbing, devastating and indefensible.”
California Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón and California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas expressed their unconditional support for the victims.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass embraced the two women, Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, who brought the allegations to light, as well as Huerta.
“I honor her strength, as well as that of every woman and girl who has been horribly harmed by those in power,” added the head of the Los Angeles City Council.
In Texas, La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), founded by Chavez and Huertas, also issued a statement assuring that they take the accusations “seriously” and will open a process so that those who were harmed can share their stories “confidentially” if they wish.
Filed under: César Chávez accusations
With information from EFE