SAN FERNANDO, Calif. (KABC) — The city of San Fernando removed its statue of Cesar Chavez on Thursday, following an impromptu special City Council meeting addressing how the city would move forward in light of recent sexual assault allegations involving Chavez.
The memorial, located in the heart of San Fernando just minutes from city hall, has been described by Mayor Joel Fajardo as one of the largest Chavez memorials in the country.
But after the allegations surfaced, Fajardo and several residents urged that the statue be taken down.
The city of San Fernando removed its statue of Cesar Chavez on Thursday, following an impromptu special City Council meeting addressing how the city would move forward in light of recent sexual assault allegations involving Chavez.
Throughout the day, community members visited the site-still covered at the time-to reflect. Some said they felt emotionally conflicted because of Chavez’s past significance to the community.
Fajardo said the decision was intended to show survivors of sexual assault that San Fernando is a safe place.
During public comment on Thursday, survivor Damiana Cano spoke in support of removing all Chavez memorials in the city.
“It’s just really hard for survivors of sexual assault to kind of go through their day to day given that people in power are so vile, and with this going on with Cesar Chavez kind of hit home even harder. But I just think it’s an opportunity for our community to grow stronger and set the standard that sexual violence is not okay in our community.”
Earlier Thursday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signed a proclamation renaming Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day in Los Angeles.
Fajardo suggested adopting a similar change.
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