Cesar Chavez Boulevard sits in the heart of the predominantly Hispanic community in Houston’s East End. His mural, though faded, is still visible.
HOUSTON — It’s a legacy now in limbo as communities come to terms with recent child sexual abuse allegations against the late workers’ rights champion Cesar Chavez. This week, the New York Times reported that two women now in their 60s accused the icon of raping them when they were 12-year-olds.
Chavez’s United Farm Workers union co-founder, Dolores Huerta, is also sharing her own abuse allegations.
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Cesar Chavez Boulevard sits in the heart of this predominantly Hispanic community in the East End. His mural, though faded, is still visible. Some are left wondering how much of Chavez’s legacy will also fade.
For generations, Chavez’s name stood for dignity, particularly for farm workers who had no voice and no rights.
“He fought against that. He fought for clean water, for respectable living wages, for the farmworker, and for all. So, there’s so much good,” LULAC’s state chair on civil rights Isidro Garza said.
Garza comes from a family of farm workers and even marched with Chavez. He called the recent sexual assault allegations shocking and worth condemnation.
“There’s no way to right that wrong,” he said.
However, even as Gov. Greg Abbott moves to eliminate Cesar Chavez Day in Texas, Garza said Chavez’s immeasurable contributions shouldn’t be overshadowed so quickly, as it could threaten losing gains that have taken decades to achieve.
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“What did Cesar Chavez stand for? I want to make sure nobody forgets that Cesar Chavez stood for dignity … human dignity,” Garza said.
Michael Solar is an attorney and is not tied to any cases against Chavez. He agrees that Chavez’s legacy can’t protect him from scrutiny.
“No one should be held above the law. No one, despite their contributions, should not be excused for any improprieties,” Solar said.
Solar said no city or state entity is obliged to honor someone under such scrutiny, but admits more facts are needed.
“We have to be thoughtful, deliberate, and proceed in a cautious manner as we consider all the allegations and all the evidence before we take any draconian measures that would not only impact institutions that exist today, acknowledging his efforts, but also taking remedial measures,” Solar said.
As for the allegations taking decades to come to light, child sexual assault victim advocates said that’s not rare.
“Delayed disclosure doesn’t mean something didn’t happen. Often, children are navigating through fear, confusion, manipulation … sometimes they’re sworn to secrecy by their perpetrator,” Tinae Davis, with the Children’s Assessment Center, said.
She said some may fear saying anything, especially if their perpetrator is a powerful figure.
“Although he may be dead, his victims are still suffering,” Davis.
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