Calif. university to remove Cesar Chavez statue over 'troubling' allegations

"These profoundly troubling claims about the rape of women and minors call for our full attention and moral reckoning. We must now honor that history by acknowledging the harm done to the victims, while we continue to highlight the immense value of the farmworkers whose hard work and sacrifice continue to feed our nation."

"The university has already covered the statue in its Peace Garden as it evaluates appropriate next steps for its removal. University leaders said the decision to cover it was an initial step as discussions about permanent removal move forward."

"Labor leader Dolores Huerta recently broke decades of silence with allegations of sexual abuse by Chavez that resulted in two pregnancies. The announcement comes as fallout spreads following the allegations against Chavez."

Fresno State University has covered a statue of Cesar Chavez, the late United Farm Workers co-founder and Latino civil rights icon, following newly surfaced allegations of sexual abuse. Labor leader Dolores Huerta recently broke decades of silence with claims that Chavez sexually abused women and minors, resulting in pregnancies. University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval stated the allegations demand full attention and moral reckoning. The statue, installed in 1996 to honor peaceful protest and the labor movement, was first covered with black sheets and tarp, then enclosed in a plywood box. The university plans full removal in coming days and will convene its Peace Garden committee to guide next steps while acknowledging harm to victims and recognizing the farmworker movement's historical significance.

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