United Farm Workers (UFW) President Teresa Romero said the rape allegations against the late César Chávez were “very difficult to hear,” and not something the organization expected. Chávez, a renowned labor leader, was accused in a New York Times investigation of sexually assaulting three women, including two daughters of union leaders. The long-rumored allegations sparked a backlash, with calls to remove the Chavez name from public places. The UFW itself boycotted several commemoration events.
Romero urged respect for the women and emphasized the union’s efforts to support survivors by creating safe spaces for them to come forward. Despite the allegations, the UFW continues its legal battles over farmworker wages, challenging policy proposals to lower wages for H-2A workers, mainly from Mexico. Besides the women alleging assault by Chávez when they were young teens, Chávez’s organizing partner, Dolores Huerta, also accused him of twice raping her, resulting in two children that she gave up for adoption. She had been reluctant to speak up previously because she didn’t want to contribute to harming the farmworkers’ movement, to which she had devoted her life.
Romero, the first Latina to lead the United Farm Workers, stated the union is working on a safe, independent system for victims to seek help, emphasizing respect and understanding for those affected. “We’re here to respect them and to understand that this is very difficult for them,” she said.
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