The Digester

In a statement released Wednesday, civil rights leader Dolores Huerta accused United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez of sexually abusing her in the 1960s, prompting responses from the UFW and the Cesar Chavez Foundation and the opening of confidential channels for potential survivors.

Dolores Huerta, 96, issued a statement saying Cesar Chavez sexually abused her twice in the 1960s and described the encounters as pressured and forced.
Huerta said both encounters resulted in pregnancies and that the children were raised by other families.
She said she is speaking now after a New York Times multi-year investigation into allegations of Chavez's sexual misconduct.
Cesar Chavez died in 1993 and cannot respond to the accusations.
The United Farm Workers said it will not take part in Cesar Chavez Day activities and is creating an independent, confidential channel for people to report historic harm.
The Cesar Chavez Foundation acknowledged disturbing allegations and said it is working with partners to support people who may have been harmed and to create safe reporting processes.
Both organizations said they have no firsthand knowledge of specific reports but called allegations involving young women or minors deeply troubling.
Huerta said the farmworker movement is bigger than any one person and that she will continue her advocacy while supporting survivors.

Dolores Huerta Accuses Cesar Chavez of Sexual Abuse in the 1960s

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