Amid new allegations reported by the New York Times, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty started a process to rename Cesar Chavez Plaza.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Amid new sexual misconduct allegations surrounding historic labor leader Cesar Chavez, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty starting the process of removing the labor icon’s name from Cesar Chavez Plaza.

The allegations were first reported on by the New York Times. Chavez is alleged to have sexually assaulted multiple children, and his co-leader of the United Farm Workers union, Dolores Huerta, when she was in her 30s. 

Mayor McCarty said the city is taking the allegations against Chavez, who died in 1993, seriously.

“As someone who supported and participated in UFW and Chavez Day marches for 30 years, I’m personally saddened and disturbed by the allegations against Cesar Chavez. We take these allegations seriously and will ensure the naming of our City facilities aligns with our values,” McCarty said.

McCarty said he’s appointing a council subcommittee, including Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes; Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra; and Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum; to guide the renaming of the downtown plaza park.

ABC10 also reached out to the City of Modesto, which also has a park named after Cesar Chavez. A city spokesperson said they are still learning about all of the allegations and don’t have any updates at this time.

New allegations against Cesar Chavez surface as longtime leaders respond publicly

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