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The nation’s largest labor group that represents thousands of farmworkers said on Tuesday it will not take part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities after allegations against the civil rights activist and union co-founder recently surfaced.While United Farm Workers said it does not have any direct reports or firsthand knowledge of the allegations, the group said in a release that “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.”UFW’s release stated it is not the group’s place to comment on the reports, some of which are family issues. But UFW said what it found “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,” UFW said in its release.Following the surfacing of the allegations, UFW said it is working to establish a confidential and independent channel for those who may have been harmed by Chavez during the union’s early days.Cesar Chavez Day is March 31, and instead of participating in any activities related to Chavez, UFW said it will call on allies and supporters to take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to help farmworkers and other vulnerable people in their communities. Chavez was known for advocating for better workplace conditions for farmworkers. He founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became UFW.
The nation’s largest labor group that represents thousands of farmworkers said on Tuesday it will not take part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities after allegations against the civil rights activist and union co-founder recently surfaced.
While United Farm Workers said it does not have any direct reports or firsthand knowledge of the allegations, the group said in a release that “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.”
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UFW’s release stated it is not the group’s place to comment on the reports, some of which are family issues. But UFW said what it found “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,” UFW said in its release.
Following the surfacing of the allegations, UFW said it is working to establish a confidential and independent channel for those who may have been harmed by Chavez during the union’s early days.
Cesar Chavez Day is March 31, and instead of participating in any activities related to Chavez, UFW said it will call on allies and supporters to take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to help farmworkers and other vulnerable people in their communities.
Chavez was known for advocating for better workplace conditions for farmworkers. He founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became UFW.
