Organizations across the country and California – the birthplace of the United Farm Workers movement – have already begun removing depictions of the late Latino labor leader César Chávez from public spaces after the explosive allegations in the New York Times revealed this week that he allegedly raped and sexually assaulted women and girls decades ago.

Miriam Pawel, the journalist and historian of the farmworker movement, spoke with POLITICO about Chavez’s influence on California history — and where the movement he led stands now.

One of the most revered figures in American history can no longer be called heroic. But the movement he led can be.

Much of the Latino civil rights, political and educational ecosystem will have to grapple with why they held up Cesar Chavez as a paragon of virtue for too long above others just as deserving and, as it turns out,

Latino leaders and elected officials say they are shocked by “deeply troubling” sexual misconduct allegations against Cesar Chavez, one of the Latino community’s most prominent civil rights icons, as planned annual celebrations of the late labor leader are canceled and his legacy as a labor movement hero is thrown into question.

Two of California's top lawmakers announced Thursday they want to rename César Chávez Day following stunning abuse allegations against the revered labor leader.

Dolores Huerta said Cesar Chavez raped her in the 1960s, which she kept secret until allegations surfaced that the UFW leader had sexually abused two girls in the 1970s.

A New York Times investigation published in March 2026 accused the civil rights icon of sexually abusing young girls.