Cesar Chavezsymbol of the Latin community and maximum figure of the peasant struggle in USAis accused of alleged abuse of minors and of having raped and harassed women from the movement he led.
According to him The New York Timesa newspaper that collects the accusations against the union leader, the alleged sexual attacks would have continued for years, and among the complainants are Dolores Huertathe prominent leader of the movement who for the first time accused his fellow fighter of abuse that led to two pregnancies.
According to the investigation published this Wednesday by the newspaper, dozens of his collaborators hid the abuses of which he is now accused for decades, while his alleged victims did not report them.
They claim that César Chávez abused daughters of UFW militants
Two women claimed that Chávez abused them in the 1990s. 1970when they were minors. Both are daughters of militants of the Peasant Union (UFW).
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One of the women, Ana Murguiasaid the leader began to touch her inappropriately when I was 12 years old y he more than 40. He clarified that there was no penetration.
another woman, Debra Rojasstated that the physical abuse began when she was 13 years old, and that he had complete sexual relations with the leader since he was 15which classifies it as rape under California law.
The UFWwhich Huerta co-founded and in which he was active for 30 years alongside Chávez, stated in a statement that he had not “received any direct reports,” nor had he had “first-hand knowledge of these accusations.”
However, the organization canceled its participation in the commemoration of the Cesar Chavez Dayhe March 31due to “serious accusations” that are “incompatible with the values” of the UFW.
‘I kept this secret for so long’
Dolores Huerta, 95 yearsand who had a relationship with a brother of Chávez, told the newspaper that César forced her to have sex on two occasions in the years 1960, encounters that led to two pregnancies that she hid. Both babies were given by Huerta to other families..
“I kept this secret for so long because building the movement and guaranteeing the rights of farm workers was the work of my life,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Knowing that he hurt girls makes my stomach turn,” he added, while asking to save the peasant struggle. “César’s actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farm workers.”
The investigation of New York Times revealed that Chávez, who He had eight children with his only wife Helen Chávez, would have fathered others outside of marriageincluding the two from Huerta, and who harassed other women in the movement.
Who is César Chávez?
Chávez, who died on March 23, 1993headed since the years 1950s in California peasant mobilizations for wage demands and better working conditions. He led massive marches and national boycotts that made him a revered figure.
California made his date of birth the March 31a regional holiday, while Washington honored him with various recognitions. Schools, auditoriums, streets and squares are named after him..
Chávez founded in 1962 the Farmers Union, the largest farm union in the United States.
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Farmer leader’s family breaks silence
Through a statement, the Chávez family said they were “shocked” by the recent accusations against the maxim of the peasant struggle in the United States, and added that it is something painful for them:
“Our family is shocked and saddened upon hearing the news that our father, Cesar Chávez, engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with women and minors almost 50 years ago. As a family deeply committed to the values of equity and justice, we honor the voices of those who feel they have not been heard and those who report sexual abuse. “This is deeply painful for our family.”
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