California state and local leaders have reacted to recent allegations against Cesar Chavez, the civil rights leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, involving past sexual assaults against minors and at least two sexual encounters with fellow civil rights leader Dolores Huerta.Locally, Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo released the following statement: “The recent allegations concerning César Chávez, as reported in the New York Times, are serious, deeply troubling, and demand our full attention. We must approach this moment with a clear commitment to truth, accountability, and justice. The voices of those who have come forward must be heard, respected, and taken seriously.”There is real pain and hurt being felt across the Latino community and beyond. That pain cannot be dismissed or minimized. Allegations of abuse, especially sexual abuse, must always be met with a firm stance that survivors deserve to be believed, supported, and treated with dignity.”At the same time, we must be clear-eyed about history. The farmworker rights movement was never the work of one individual alone. It was built by thousands of courageous farmworkers, organizers, and families who sacrificed, organized, and fought for basic human dignity in the fields and beyond. Their legacy is real, and it endures.”This moment calls for moral clarity. We must stand with those seeking justice, ensure accountability where it is warranted, and continue uplifting the values of dignity, respect, and fairness that define the very movement that farmworkers built.”Gov. Gavin Newsom reposted a message from his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, responding to the allegations on social media:“I am deeply saddened by these very real and serious allegations, and my heart is heavy as I think about my dear friend Dolores and the many other women—some just girls at the time of their assaults—who have had to carry this trauma for decades.These women continued the critical fight for farmworkers and their families while, in their own words, they have endured untold grooming and abuse that no one should have had to bear. We must center survivors rather than protect the legacy and power of predatory men.To the myriad of survivors in this story and out there: I see you, I believe you. I know the cost of speaking out—that it asks everything of you.But your courage and your voices matter. They open the door for so many others to follow suit and tell their stories so that one day soon, we will break this horrific cycle of repetitive abuse by powerful men.No están solas. ¡Juntas nos levantaremos!”Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas released a statement in light of the allegations, which reads:“For survivors and their families, the weight of their pain is real and ongoing. The first priority is to listen to them with humility and compassion. The farmworker movement has never been about one man; it is bigger than any one person, and its values of dignity and justice are more important now than ever. To those who have found the courage to come forward, my heart is with you.”California Assemblymember Dawn Addis released a statement saying, “I thank Dolores Huerta for her strength and courage in coming forward. I am also grateful to United Farm Workers for believing survivors and taking appropriate action in this moment. Across our state and nation, too many survivors have been forced to carry their experiences in silence: ignored when they try to speak, dismissed or even attacked by those in power. Survivors must be believed. They must have full access to justice, and their voices must be heard. Together, we must continue this fight.”U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla also released the following statement: “These are heartbreaking, horrific accounts of abuse. I stand with the survivors, commend them for their bravery in sharing their stories, and condemn the abhorrent actions they described. The survivors deserve to be heard. They deserve to be supported. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.“There must be zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation and the silencing of victims, no matter who is involved.“Confronting painful truths and ensuring accountability is essential to honoring the very values the greater farmworker movement stands for — values rooted in dignity and justice for all.”
SALINAS, Calif. —
California state and local leaders have reacted to recent allegations against Cesar Chavez, the civil rights leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, involving past sexual assaults against minors and at least two sexual encounters with fellow civil rights leader Dolores Huerta.
Locally, Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo released the following statement:
“The recent allegations concerning César Chávez, as reported in the New York Times, are serious, deeply troubling, and demand our full attention. We must approach this moment with a clear commitment to truth, accountability, and justice. The voices of those who have come forward must be heard, respected, and taken seriously.
“There is real pain and hurt being felt across the Latino community and beyond. That pain cannot be dismissed or minimized. Allegations of abuse, especially sexual abuse, must always be met with a firm stance that survivors deserve to be believed, supported, and treated with dignity.
“At the same time, we must be clear-eyed about history. The farmworker rights movement was never the work of one individual alone. It was built by thousands of courageous farmworkers, organizers, and families who sacrificed, organized, and fought for basic human dignity in the fields and beyond. Their legacy is real, and it endures.
“This moment calls for moral clarity. We must stand with those seeking justice, ensure accountability where it is warranted, and continue uplifting the values of dignity, respect, and fairness that define the very movement that farmworkers built.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom reposted a message from his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, responding to the allegations on social media:
“I am deeply saddened by these very real and serious allegations, and my heart is heavy as I think about my dear friend Dolores and the many other women—some just girls at the time of their assaults—who have had to carry this trauma for decades.
These women continued the critical fight for farmworkers and their families while, in their own words, they have endured untold grooming and abuse that no one should have had to bear. We must center survivors rather than protect the legacy and power of predatory men.
To the myriad of survivors in this story and out there: I see you, I believe you. I know the cost of speaking out—that it asks everything of you.
But your courage and your voices matter. They open the door for so many others to follow suit and tell their stories so that one day soon, we will break this horrific cycle of repetitive abuse by powerful men.
No están solas. ¡Juntas nos levantaremos!”
Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas released a statement in light of the allegations, which reads:
“For survivors and their families, the weight of their pain is real and ongoing. The first priority is to listen to them with humility and compassion. The farmworker movement has never been about one man; it is bigger than any one person, and its values of dignity and justice are more important now than ever. To those who have found the courage to come forward, my heart is with you.”
California Assemblymember Dawn Addis released a statement saying, “I thank Dolores Huerta for her strength and courage in coming forward. I am also grateful to United Farm Workers for believing survivors and taking appropriate action in this moment. Across our state and nation, too many survivors have been forced to carry their experiences in silence: ignored when they try to speak, dismissed or even attacked by those in power. Survivors must be believed. They must have full access to justice, and their voices must be heard. Together, we must continue this fight.”
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla also released the following statement: “These are heartbreaking, horrific accounts of abuse. I stand with the survivors, commend them for their bravery in sharing their stories, and condemn the abhorrent actions they described. The survivors deserve to be heard. They deserve to be supported. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
“There must be zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation and the silencing of victims, no matter who is involved.
“Confronting painful truths and ensuring accountability is essential to honoring the very values the greater farmworker movement stands for — values rooted in dignity and justice for all.”