LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Some leaders in Lubbock are calling for change, as a man once heralded as a hero is remembered differently.
The New York Times released an investigation this week, detailing multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against late labor and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.
“It’s a shame. Cesar Chavez’s name carries all over the country, in our schools,” Gilbert Flores, a former Lubbock County Commissioner, said. “We looked up to Chavez as a leader, as an example. I don’t think this can be forgiven.”
Numerous women, including his co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association – Dolores Huerta – say Chavez sexually assaulted them over the span of multiple years.
“That Cesar asked her to be silent and not to share her experience – it triggered me. It made me very angry,” Christy Martinez-Garcia, the city councilwoman for District 1, said.
Flores experienced life before and during Chavez’s civil and labor rights work. He says he knows what it was like to face racism and hatred, and to appreciate Chavez for standing up for the Latino community.
The accusations against Chavez are disappointing, he said, marring his legacy and any of the good Chavez accomplished.
“I think a majority of people do and did respect him for the person he was and the efforts he made to help the community, but that’s unforgiveable,” Flores said. “I don’t look up to him anymore. Maybe as a civil rights leader, but not as a man.”
Chavez died in 1993, leaving the women he’s accused of assaulting without justice.
“What can you do to have some justice? I would say punish his name. Punish his legacy,” Flores said.
Efforts to erase Chavez’s name and image are underway across the country.
Here in Lubbock, Martinez-Garcia worked to rename parts of Canyon Lakes Drive after the leader in 2008. Now, she says she wants to work to remove it.
“I will be working as a councilwoman, as the person who initiated and led the effort to name the street Cesar E. Chavez Drive,” Martinez-Garcia said. “It’s not something we need to be connected with at this time and I think it’s going to be important for us to rename the street.”
Martinez-Garcia did not say who she would recommend be honored if Cesar E. Chavez Drive is renamed in Lubbock.
According to the city code, a formal application or petition must be submitted to the city planning department. The Planning and Zoning Commission will then review the request and send its recommendation to City Council.
City Council has the final vote on any name changes.
Both Martinez-Garcia and Flores say while these allegations are disappointing, they will not divide the Hispanic community.
“I actually think it’s going to unite it,” Flores said. “We need to stand together and do what is right and correct the wrong.”
“Don’t let one person’s actions impact your decisions about this beautiful culture and community,” Martinez-Garcia said. “There are so many folks in our community that have done wonderful things and are doing great things.”
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