1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12
Summary
At 17, Anita Romero Torres says she arrived at the United Farm Workers' La Paz headquarters in 1977 and quickly faced threats from a supervisor who warned they would be alone late at night in isolated fields.
Cesar Chavez, she said, declined to remove the supervisor after she reported the calls, telling her the man was too important to the union's cause and instead transferring his wife into the department.
Romero Torres said the abuse continued: one co-worker groped her in the office, and another cornered her in a locked room and tried to force himself on her before she escaped.
Three years after joining, she quit the union, saying the men's behavior made it impossible to keep doing work she loved and pointing to a broader culture of sexual abuse inside the labor organization.
How does a movement built on justice reckon with systemic abuse at its very top?
When a celebrated hero is accused, how should society separate the legacy from the man?
Cesar Chavez Sexual Abuse Allegations: Institutional Responses, Historical Context, and the Ongoing Reckoning (2026 Report)
Overview
In March 2026, new allegations of sexual abuse against Cesar Chavez surfaced, sparking widespread public discussion and immediate institutional responses. These revelations led to renewed scrutiny of Chavez’s legacy and the organizations he led, especially the United Farm Workers (UFW). The stories of survivors like Ana Murguia highlighted how power dynamics can persist even in justice-focused organizations, underscoring the need for stronger safeguards. The fallout was swift: celebrations were canceled, calls for renaming public spaces grew, and leaders like Governor Newsom voiced support for survivors. Both the Chavez family and the UFW responded, expressing pain and pledging to support those affected.