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For César Chavez supporters, a painful question: What to do with his legacy now
National

For César Chavez supporters, a painful question: What to do with his legacy now

  • By FERNANDA FIGUEROA and JESSE BEDAYN Associated Press
  • Updated

Sexual abuse allegations against the revered labor leader César Chavez have led to a swift fallout, leaving many to reconcile the legacy of a man who fought tirelessly for the rights of farmworkers. Latino leaders and community leaders have quickly condemned the alleged abuse by Chavez. Now they are weighing the impact of his actions on the labor rights movement and how to move forward, acknowledging Chavez's actions and the impact he had on Latino civil rights. Reconciling that with a tainted legacy is something various civil rights groups have had to do as accusations and rumors surface. For many, the reckoning is an example of why movements should not be tied to one person.

California lawmakers pass bill to rename César Chavez Day following sexual abuse allegations
State

California lawmakers pass bill to rename César Chavez Day following sexual abuse allegations

  • By TRÂN NGUYỄN Associated Press
  • Updated

The California Senate has voted to rename César Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day following sexual abuse allegations against the Latino labor icon. The state has honored Chavez with a state holiday on his birthday, March 31, for years. The swift change comes after allegations Chavez abused girls and women, including fellow labor icon Dolores Huerta. The two led a landmark farmworker labor movement in California's agricultural heartland in the 1960s and 1970s. Chavez's name is on scores of monuments, schools and streets around California and the country. The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is expected to sign it.

UFW advocates for farmworkers, but represents fewer now than during Chavez's era
National

UFW advocates for farmworkers, but represents fewer now than during Chavez's era

  • By AMY TAXIN Associated Press
  • Updated

Most farmworkers in the United States today aren't represented by labor unions, but United Farm Workers is known by many as their voice. Roughly 60 years after its founding by César Chavez and other activists, the UFW remains a political force in California and beyond, though observers debate its effectiveness. The organization is now publicly grappling with allegations that Chavez sexually abused girls and one of the movement's cofounders, Dolores Huerta. The UFW says the scandal won't derail its mission to advocate on behalf of those hired to grow the country's food.

Chavez name, once an honor, now carries a stain that officials want to scrub
State

Chavez name, once an honor, now carries a stain that officials want to scrub

  • By MATTHEW BROWN and TERRY TANG Associated Press
  • Updated

Monuments, city streets, elementary schools and other places honoring César Chavez's name and the legacy of his labor movement stretch across states. Now, in the wake of explosive sexual abuse allegations against the Latino icon, the name overnight has become more of a stain. Some of the institutions and local governments overseeing sites across the country bearing the Chavez name have already started the process Thursday of erasing it. Besides buildings and street signs, they also want to take steps to rename César Chavez Day, a federally proclaimed holiday that falls on his March 31 birthday.

Newsom supports move to rename César Chavez Day over alleged sexual abuse
State

Newsom supports move to rename César Chavez Day over alleged sexual abuse

  • By TRÂN NGUYỄN, HAVEN DALEY and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press
  • Updated

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is supporting a proposal to rename César Chavez Day following stunning abuse allegations against the revered labor leader. Newsom said Thursday he will move quickly on legislation if it passes to rename March 31 as Farmworkers Day. Political leaders in states and cities are considering similar moves after the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America union and others alleged Chavez sexually abused them. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson's office says he won't issue a proclamation honoring César Chavez Day this year. There also are calls to alter memorials honoring the man who helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers.

Immigration raids are threatening businesses that supply America's food, farm bureaus say
State

Immigration raids are threatening businesses that supply America's food, farm bureaus say

  • By AMY TAXIN and DORANY PINEDA Associated Press

Federal agents have rounded up dozens of California farmworkers in large-scale raids at packinghouses and fields that farm bureaus say threaten businesses that supply much of the country's food. Community advocates said several dozen immigrants were arrested after agents raided packing sheds and fields. Many of the arrests took place on farms northwest of Los Angeles. Some farmworkers have stopped showing up for work since the raids began. The California Farm Bureau says it doesn't have reports of widespread workforce disruption. The state grows much of the country's fresh produce.