César Chávez allegations grow as Dolores Huerta speaks out

Labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta said Wednesday that she was sexually abused by farmworker leader César Chávez decades ago, becoming the most high-profile figure to accuse him of misconduct. The latest: The allegation comes as the United Farm Workers union grapples with reports that their former leader abused girls and young women, prompting the cancellation of tributes and celebrations in his honor.

Huerta worked alongside Chávez for decades, helping found the UFW with him and fellow activist Gilbert Padilla.

What they're saying: "I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my life's work," Huerta wrote in a Wednesday blog post.

"I have never identified myself as a victim, but I now understand that I am a survivor — of violence, of sexual abuse, of domineering men who saw me, and other women, as property, or things to control." "I am telling my story because the New York Times has indicated that I was not the only one — there were others." "There are no words strong enough to condemn those deplorable actions that he did. Cesar's actions do not reflect the values of our community and our movement," Huerta wrote.

Context: The New York Times found extensive evidence that Chávez had groomed multiple little girls while leading the farmworkers movement, including a child he had known since she was 8.

The union called the reporting "profoundly shocking" and canceled annual birthday celebrations for César Chávez Day, observed March 31. The Times did not independently verify Huerta's description of assault, given that she told no one about it until recently.

Chávez died in 1993, and his family told Axios that they are "devastated" by the NYT's reporting, which is "deeply painful" to the family.

"We carry our own memories of the person we knew. Someone whose life included work and contributions that matter deeply to many people." "We wish peace and healing to the survivors and commend their courage to come forward," they wrote. "We remain committed to farmworkers and the causes he and countless others championed and continue to champion." "We ask for understanding and privacy as we continue to process this difficult information."

Between the lines: The farmworkers movement has helped rally Latino voters nationwide, particularly in Democratic strongholds like California.

President Biden's 2024 campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodríguez, is César's granddaughter and grew up watching her family organize workers before working in Democratic politics.

Zoom in: Huerta said the "farmworker movement has always been bigger and far more important than any one individual."

"Cesar's actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people." "We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever."

The UFW Foundation said in a Tuesday statement that the allegations against Chávez "are shocking, indefensible and something we are taking seriously."

"For nearly 20 years, the UFW Foundation has worked to advocate, organize and provide direct services that protect and serve farm workers and immigrants—many of whom are women, and many of whom have shared their painful stories with us." "We know this is difficult and painful and the healing and safety of survivors is of utmost importance to us," adding that the foundation will continue to "center its work on protecting the most vulnerable." The UFW Foundation did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Huerta's allegations.

Go deeper: UFW acts on allegations against César Chávez - Axios San Antonio