Texas State University cancelled a Cesar Chavez day event after reported allegations of sexual abuse and rape against the labor activist emerged in mid-March.
University spokesperson Jayme Blaschke confirmed that the university’s Center for the Study of the Southwest cancelled on March 19 a lecture scheduled for Cesar Chavez Day after the allegations emerged. The university official said there is no planned programming to take its place.
The University Star first reported the cancellation, writing that all information about the event had been removed online.
The New York Times reported last week that the late Chavez – a revered activist influential in the labor movement in the 1950s – allegedly sexually assaulted and abused two underage girls and fellow movement leader, Dolores Huerta.
“School systems in Texas should eliminate, modify and otherwise alter any learning activities, individual lessons, and ancillary materials to remove references to Chavez,” TEA guidance stated.
There is no similar guidance for public higher education institutions in Texas.
Austin organizers cancelled the city’s Cesar Chavez Day March “out of an abundance of caution and respect for all parties,” according to an Instagram post by Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin. Organizers promised to continue to uphold the values of the labor movement and fight for its values.
Susana Almanza, director of People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources, or PODER, an organization that engages East Austin residents in economic development and environmental concerns, said that the movement’s work will continue.
“We are devastated to hear these accusations against Cesar Chavez,” Almanza said. “Cesar died 33 years ago and the movement continues. We continue to challenge the powerful in defense of the powerless, continue to promote fair wages, safe housing and social justice, all these examples of similar work done by the UFW (United Farm Workers).”