Latino Leaders, Labor Leaders and Elected Officials are voicing shock over “deeply troubling” sexual misconduct allegations against the late Cesar Chavez, one of the Latino Community’s most prominent Civil Rights Icons, as planned annual celebrations of the late Labor Leader have now been canceled and his legacy as a Labor Movement Hero is thrown into question.

The cancellations came just hours before The New York Times published an investigative story that included allegations Chavez abused and molested multiple Women over the course of decades - some of them minors - including long-time United Farm Workers (UFW) Activist Dolores Huerta, a legend of the Farm Workers Movement in her own right.

The UFW, co-founded by Chavez (who died in 1993) and Huerta, is among several groups now saying it will not participate in annual celebratory events this month.

Posted on its website: the UFW said it had learned of deeply troubling allegations that one of the Union’s co-founders, Cesar Chavez, behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization’s values.

Some of the reports are family issues and not our story to tell or our place to comment on.

Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young Women or minors.

Allegations that very young Women or girls may have been victimized are crushing. 

We have not received any direct reports and we do not have any first-hand knowledge of these allegations. 

However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose.

The United Farm Workers will not be taking part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities.

Instead, we call on our allies and supporters to take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to support Farm Workers or empower vulnerable people in their own communities.

Over the coming weeks, in partnership with experts in these kinds of processes, we are working to establish an external, confidential, independent channel for those who may have experienced harm caused by Cesar Chavez during the early days of the UFW’s history.

This channel is for those who wish to share their experiences of harm, to identify their current impacts and needs, and, if desired, to participate in a collective process to develop mechanisms for repair and accountability.

We are grateful to the support of experts who can help us seek the truth that is the first step toward healing. 

These allegations have been profoundly shocking.

We need some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it.

We understand this will be tremendously painful for many and we encourage our community to seek mental health support if they experience distress.

Today’s UFW is a modern and progressive Labor Union and we will seek to learn from our history.

Farm Workers are winning new Union contracts and the United Farm Workers is fighting to protect Immigrant Communities from the wage cuts, violence and attacks Farm Workers face today.

The work to support the Farm Workers who feed our Nation is more important than ever and this work will continue.

National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond released the following statement:

These horrific, disturbing allegations come as a deep shock to us. Our thoughts are first and foremost with any victims of assault and abuse who have described experiencing what no one - especially children - should ever have to survive. No legacy can excuse it. The National AFL-CIO unequivocally condemns the actions described in The New York Times article and supports a full investigation into these allegations. The National AFL-CIO will not participate or endorse any upcoming activities for Cesar Chavez Day. The National AFL-CIO will always stand in solidarity with Farm Workers who have fought for and won critical rights over generations through collective action, resilience and extraordinary determination - a history that cannot be erased by the horrific actions of one person. The Labor Movement was organized not only to protect Workers’ paychecks and benefits, but also to ensure they are safe from any form of harassment, inappropriate conduct or assault. Our commitment to safety and justice for Farm Workers, Immigrant Workers and all in our workplaces will never waver.

For More On This Labor News Report, Go To:

Iconic labor leader Cesar Chavez accused of decades of sexual abuse as annual celebrations are canceled nationwide

AFL-CIO on Allegations Against Cesar Chavez | AFL-CIO

Statement from United Farm Workers: March 17, 2026 – UFW