{"id":211974,"date":"2026-03-19T21:28:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T21:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/211974\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T21:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T21:28:10","slug":"cesar-chavezs-name-removed-across-fort-worth-following-sex-abuse-allegations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/211974\/","title":{"rendered":"C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s name removed across Fort Worth following sex abuse allegations"},"content":{"rendered":"

by David Moreno, Fort Worth Report
March 19, 2026<\/p>\n

Fort Worth city leaders and Latino groups are disassociating themselves from C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez after sexual abuse allegations emerged against the civil rights icon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

City officials removed street toppers honoring Ch\u00e1vez from a section of N.E. 28th Street between Main and Beach streets the morning of March 19, Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores announced at a press conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A New York Times investigation published Wednesday<\/a> detailed allegations that Ch\u00e1vez, who died in 1993, groomed and sexually abused underaged girls, women and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta \u2014 who confirmed the allegations<\/a> \u2014 during the 1960s and 1970s.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s actions do not align with Fort Worth\u2019s values, and keeping the street toppers sends \u201ca wrong message,\u201d Flores said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Fort Worth and community leaders had gathered for the unveiling of the C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez and Dolores Huerta street toppers in the Northside in 2020. (Courtesy | Rachel DeLira Pictures)<\/p>\n

The councilman championed the installation of street toppers<\/a> in his Northside district in 2020 to honor both labor leaders. Huerta\u2019s designation on Ephriham Avenue will remain, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe integrity of honoring someone is not only for the present day, but it also applies to the future,\u201d Flores said. \u201cNow that we’re learning these new things about C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez, we have to take appropriate action for the integrity of the process.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez & Dolores Huerta Committee of Tarrant County \u2014 which has honored the civil rights leaders locally for over 25 years \u2014 is rebranding itself as the \u00a1S\u00ed Se Puede! Committee of Tarrant County. The new name references the famous slogan coined by Huerta<\/a> that roughly translates to \u201cYes, we can.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Organizers with the Tarrant committee said they take the allegations seriously and need time to \u201cprocess, reflect and determine all of our next steps.\u201d The group\u2019s name will take a while to permanently change since it is a registered nonprofit, according to a statement<\/a> from its leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope that, as an organization, we can create a safe space and serve as a resource for the community,\u201d the statement read. \u201cOur local organization is led by a majority of women, and we will continue our organization\u2019s work rooted in integrity, dignity, innovation, and a \u2018S\u00ed Se Puede\u2019 attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

The committee\u2019s \u201cNo Kings, No Ice\u201d protest in Fort Worth will continue as scheduled on March 28 in place of its traditional March for Justice honoring Ch\u00e1vez.<\/p>\n

\"\"The C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez & Dolores Huerta Committee of Tarrant County, which hosts annual marches honoring the labor leaders\u2019 work, is rebranding to include \u00a1S\u00ed Se Puede! in its name as it distances itself from Ch\u00e1vez. (Courtesy | \u00a1S\u00ed Se Puede! Committee of Tarrant County)<\/p>\n

Founded in 2000, the Tarrant County committee has hosted annual marches, birthday celebrations and advocated for citywide recognitions to honor the labor leader. The group added Huerta to its name in 2025 to honor the legacies of women in the farmworker and civil rights movements, according to a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez Day celebrations honoring his March 31 birthday have been canceled<\/a> as communities across the state<\/a> and country grapple with how to reconsider the civil rights leader\u2019s legacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tarrant County Judge Tim O\u2019Hare is exploring legal options to immediately stop the county from recognizing the holiday and would call a special meeting, if necessary, he said in a statement<\/a> on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Fort Worth Report\u2019s arts and culture coverage is supported in part by the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation and the Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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