What we learned from The New York Times' investigation into Cesar Chavez

SALT LAKE CITY — The New York Times published an investigation Wednesday into the life of Cesar Chavez, the influential and beloved leader of the 20th century labor movement whose legacy is now being questioned as a result of the disturbing findings.

And cities across the country, including in Utah, that have streets named after him are digesting the news or already reconsidering those designations as well as canceling annual celebrations that honored him.

The newspaper found "extensive" evidence, including personal testimonies from victims, that the Latino leader of the United Farm Workers had sexually abused girls and women inside the worker's rights movement during his leadership.

One of his victims was Dolores Huerta, a contemporary to Chavez and a well-known labor rights activist, herself.

"I am nearly 96 years old, and for the last 60 years have kept a secret because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for," Huerta wrote in a statement. "I can no longer stay silent and must share my own experiences."

The United Farm Workers, the union Chavez formed with Huerta and several others, also issued a statement Wednesday. It wrote "that one of the union's co-founders, Cesar Chavez, behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization's values."

"These allegations have been profoundly shocking. We need some time to get this right," read the statement. "The United Farm Workers will not be taking part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities."

As the news spread, elected officials have been issuing statements and making changes to planned celebrations and parades.

"The allegations of rape and sexual abuse are likely to have far-reaching consequences," wrote Sarah Hurtes and Manny Fernandez, the reporters who published the story.

What was revealed about Chavez?

Huerta worked together with Chavez for decades while they built one of the largest lasting labor unions in America.

During that period, Chavez forced Huerta into two unwanted sexual encounters. In Huerta's statement, she explained how both led to pregnancies, which she kept secret — both the pregnancy and the children — up until this week.

"I am telling my story because The New York Times has indicated that I was not the only one — there were others," Huerta wrote. "Women are coming forward, sharing that they were sexually abused and assaulted by Cesar when they were girls and teenagers."

The Times reported that Chavez also sexually abused two minors during the height of his fame in the 1970s. Both women, who are now in their 60s, told their stories for the first time to the Times. They were 13 and 12 at the time the abuse started, which lasted for about four years.

"Both women have struggled with depression, panic attacks and substance abuse in the years since," wrote Hurtes and Fernandez. "They maintained their silence for decades, fearing speaking out would tarnish Mr. Chavez's legacy, but decided in recent months, after being approached by reporters, that their stories also counted."

The Times also found evidence that Chavez fathered four children with women who were not his wife. Chavez had eight children with his wife.

There was also evidence that Chavez pursued other women in the labor movement and that some of this behavior was known by the United Farm Workers. In its statement, however, the organization wrote that those revelations are news to it.

It will, however, launch its own investigation.

"Over the coming weeks, in partnership with experts in these kinds of processes, we are working to establish an external, confidential, independent channel for those who may have experienced harm caused by Cesar Chavez during the early days of the UFW's history," according to the statement. "This channel is for those who wish to share their experiences of harm, to identify their current impacts and needs, and, if desired, to participate in a collective process to develop mechanisms for repair and accountability."

How have cities reacted to the news?

The release of the investigation was big news throughout the political world. As a result, marches and parades were canceled in Arizona and Texas, and elected officials in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Texas have condemned the former labor leader.

Several elected officials announced that they would not celebrate Cesar Chavez Day, a March 31 holiday proclaimed in 2014 by President Barack Obama. Only California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, Utah, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and Nebraska recognize it.

California announced it would celebrate the day as "Farmworkers Day."

Governors in the states associated closely with the movement Chavez led were quick to release statements.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned Chavez but expressed support for the farm workers labor movement.

"The allegations leveled against Cesar Chavez — as reported in The New York Times expose — are shocking and horrifying. I support a full and thorough investigation of these deeply disturbing allegations, and my heart goes out to my friend Dolores Huerta and anyone else who suffered abuse," wrote Lujan Grisham.

"It's important to remember that the labor rights movement — built on respect for human dignity and collective power — is larger than any one individual. We remain committed to honoring that history and the basic human rights that the movement fought to recognize."

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas was more visceral in his statement.

"The state of Texas will not observe the Cesar Chavez Day holiday. ... In the upcoming legislative session, I will work with Texas lawmakers to remove Cesar Chavez Day from state law altogether," he wrote on X. "Reports of the horrific and widely acknowledged sexual assault allegations against Cesar Chavez rightfully dismantle the myth of this progressive hero and undermine the narrative that elevated Chavez as a figure worthy of official state celebration."

Will Utah cities reconsider Chavez street names?

In other places in the West, various cities and states are considering taking steps to remove Chavez's name from honorary street designations and parks.

In Utah, there are three streets named for him. In Salt Lake City, 500 South has an honorary designation as Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard. In Ogden, 30th Street is designated as Cesar Chavez Street, and 2320 South in West Valley City is commemoratively named Cesar Chavez Drive.

As of Thursday, officials in Salt Lake City, Ogden and West Valley City are still reacting to the news.

"We are aware of recent reports regarding Cesar Chavez, a civil rights advocate, and recognize the gravity of the concerns being raised. Any type of violence contradicts the values of our city, and we stand with survivors of sexual assault while respecting their voices," according to a Salt Lake City Council statement. "We will continue to monitor developments and consider next steps as more information becomes available."

Related:

Cesar Chavez allegations stirring discussion about Utah streets named for the man

Allegations that Cesar Chavez sexually abused women and girls are stirring at least a little discussion about Utah streets named for the late labor leader.

A spokesman for the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office said "obviously it's very fresh," but that the office anticipates there will be some discussion, though nothing is formalized yet.

"We also just heard this information," said Ogden spokesman Mike McBride. "It will be discussed and will require some time to work through. We do not have an official statement at this time."

West Valley City spokesman Sam Johnson said with the information just coming out, the city hasn't had a chance to review it or make plans for further discussion.

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