SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — In San Jose, where the family home of Cesar Chavez is a cultural landmark, many are devastated by allegations about Chavez during his time as president of the United Farm Workers union.
“He lived here for a couple of years and this place is like a a sacred site to me,” Joel Herrera said. “He’s one of my big time heroes and these allegations are very serious and I don’t want that to be part of his story of who he is.”
UFW’s statement references allegations it calls “deeply troubling”, involving alleged abuse of “young women or minors.”
UFW says it will not be taking part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities. “We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations. However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps.”
La Raza Historical Society Founding Board member Ramon J. Martinez says allegations have surfaced in the past, including in a 2014 biography titled “The Crusades of Cesar Chavez” by former LA Times Reporter Miriam Pawel.
“In 2014, she wrote she wrote about how Cesar’s wife discovered some indiscreet letters to, an 18-year-old and they had some marital difficulties,” Martinez said.
Cesar Chavez is honored and remembered throughout the city of San Jose – from the plaza to Cesar Chavez Park Downtown, to the arch of Dignity at San Jose State University.
RELATED: ‘Deeply troubling’ allegations against Cesar Chavez prompt United Farm Workers to cancel celebration
In a statement on Tuesday from the Cesar Chavez Community Action Center at SJSU, the group said “As an organization committed to social change, community empowerment, and solidarity, we are deeply saddened by these reports. While we do not have first-hand knowledge of these allegations it is appropriate that we pause to determine our next steps.
In solidarity with our community and other organizations taking similar steps in this difficult moment, we are taking time to thoughtfully process this information. We recognize the impact this may have on our community, particularly during our signature CHI Month programming. As we move forward with care and consideration, we are working closely with our team and campus partners to intentionally re-envision programming in ways that reflect and uphold our center’s values, while supporting the community we love.”
Retired SJSU Mexican American Studies Professor Dr. Gregorio Mora Torres says it’s important to remember Chavez’s work for the rights of farmworkers while the troubling allegations are investigated.
“He’s a sinner, like a lot of us are sinners,” Dr. Torres said. “Well, we need to look at basically at what he did at the labor leader and as a person who really care for farm workers more than anything.”
The Cesar Chavez Foundation said in a statement, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by what we are hearing. In partnership with the UFW, we are establishing a safe and confidential process for those who wish to share their experiences of historic harm, and, if they choose to, participate in efforts toward repair and reconciliation.”
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