The Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin said it will no longer hold its annual march celebrating the late farm labor rights leader.

AUSTIN, Texas — An annual march honoring late civil rights activist César Chávez has been cancelled in Austin amid accusations of sexual abuse. 

The event – organized by the Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA)- was initially set for Saturday, March 28 at the Terrazas Branch of the Austin Public Library. It will no longer take place “out of an abundance of caution and respect for all parties involved,” HABLA announced Wednesday. 

The cancellation comes just one day after the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union stated it would no longer celebrate Chávez’s birthday on March 31 amid “troubling allegations” against the organization’s deceased co-founder.

The UFW’s statement claimed Chávez -whose pro-farmer activism began in the 1960s- allegedly abused “very young women or girls.” The organization also stated it has not received direct reports from victims. 

Now, the Austin business group said it will search for different ways to support families and find profitable opportunities while in pursuit of justice. 

“For decades, the annual César Chávez March in Austin has served as a powerful reminder of the values we all fought for — equality, justice, and dignity for all workers,” HABLA co-founder and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) said in a statement. “While we are deeply disappointed to pause this tradition, our priorities and commitments remain focused on the good and welfare of our community.” 

LULAC also issued a statement on Wednesday which read, in part, that it “strongly denounces the actions alleged involving the late Cesar Chavez.” 

On Wednesday morning, the New York Times published an investigation detailing abuse accusations against Chávez. The article includes claims from UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, who said she was assaulted by Chávez. It also details accounts from two women in their 60s who claim Chávez abused them for roughly five years in the 1970s. 

Each year, Cesar Chávez Day is commemorated as a federal holiday on the activist’s birthday, March 31. 

Cities across Texas and the United States have also named roadways after Chávez, including in Austin, Dallas and San Francisco.