Arizona, Valley leaders back away from Cesar Chavez celebrations amid abuse allegations

Arizona and Valley leaders are backing away from celebrating Cesar Chavez later this month after allegations this week the labor leader was accused of sexually abusing girls.

The California-based Cesar Chavez Foundation released a statement Tuesday regarding allegations made against Chavez, who was instrumental in organizing farmworkers to unionize across the Southwest, including in Arizona.

Wednesday, the New York Times published a report detailing accounts of two women who say they were abused by Chavez in the 1970s as teens. It also included allegations from union co-founder Dolores Huerta, that Chavez sexually assaulted her. 

In Arizona, Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state would not formally honor Cesar Chavez Day on March 31 this year amid the allegations.

The city of Chandler, which in the past has recognized Chavez at annual events, will proceed with its Noche Iluminada and For Our City Day events, but Chavez's name will be removed and members of the foundation will not attend.

"Both events honor our community’s tradition of coming together in service and support to empower and uplift one another," city officials said in a statement. "We respect the efforts of organizations like the United Farm Workers and César Chávez Foundation to address the recent allegations involving César Chávez and join others in firmly condemning any form of abuse and exploitation."

Chandler's event has featured close connections with the foundation in the past. In both of the last two years, Chavez's grandson Andres spoke during the events.

Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva, whose district represents a wide swath of the state from Tucson to Goodyear to Yuma, said she stood with those making the allegations and believes they should be supported.

"I am deeply troubled by recent reports of allegations of sexual abuse, including incidents involving minors, brought against Cesar E. Chavez. To the survivors: estamos con ustedes – we are with you. We hear you, we believe you, and we admire the immense courage it takes to speak out," Grijalva said in the statement.

At the same time, Grijalva said despite Chavez's presence in the labor movement, it is about more than one person.

"I know that there is a profound sense of grief in our community today that may bring mixed emotions," she said in the statement. "The betrayal of trust by a leader who had such a significant impact on our community is difficult to comprehend. It is ok to feel angry, shocked, heartbroken, saddened, confused, and dismayed – all at the same time. We still have more questions than answers. However, it is important to remember that one person does not define a movement. We, the people, are the movement."

In Phoenix, Councilwoman Ann O'Brien said she would encourage a review not of just how the city celebrates Cesar Chavez Day but of the city's Cesar Chavez Plaza.

"The allegations reported by the New York Times regarding Cesar Chavez are disturbing and cannot be ignored," O'Brien said in the statement. "Phoenix has long recognized Chavez for his contributions to labor rights and civil rights, but honoring a legacy cannot come at the expense of the dignity and truth of those who came forward. I will work with my colleagues to begin an open and deliberate review of Cesar Chavez Day and the Cesar Chavez Plaza to ensure that the way we commemorate figures in our public spaces reflects our community's values of justice and accountability.”

The Tempe City Council will decide whether or not to rename Cesar Chavez day following the several abuse allegations.  

Kris Baxter-Ging, Communications Director for the city of Tempe, said that “because our personnel rules and employee group memorandums of understanding are involved, it (the decision) has to go through Council for final approval.” 

The city of Mesa is removing its Calle Cesar Chavez street signs and commemorative plaque along Broadway Road in response to the allegations.

City officials said that, moving forward, programs and events that acknowledged Chavez will be adjusted to preserve their purpose while removing association with him, according to a release.

The allegations do not define the broader civil rights movement, nor do they diminish the contributions of Mesa’s Hispanic community, a release from the city states.

"The recent allegations regarding Cesar Chavez are deeply disturbing, and we take them very seriously. We recognize the impact this news may have on those affected," the release states.

Chavez, who was born in Yuma, was considered a civil rights icon as one of the founders of the National Farm Workers Association. The group when merged with the Argricultural Workers Organizing Committee formed the United Farm Workers union. Chavez died in 1993.