Cesar Chavez raped girls, fellow labor icon Dolores Huerta, newspaper investigation says

"Both women have struggled with depression, panic attacks and substance abuse in the years since. They maintained their silence for decades, fearing speaking out would tarnish Mr. Chavez's legacy, but decided in recent months, after being approached by reporters, that their stories also counted."

"Mr. Chavez drove her out to a secluded grape field in Delano, Calif., parked and forced her to have sex inside the vehicle. She said she chose not to report the assault to the police because of their hostility toward the movement, and she feared that no one within the union would believe her."

"The newspaper's investigation found Chavez fathered four children out of wedlock with three other women and that there had been 'whispers within the movement' for decades about his conduct."

A New York Times investigation revealed that iconic labor leader Cesar Chavez sexually assaulted two underage girls repeatedly in the 1970s and raped fellow farmworker leader Dolores Huerta in 1966. The victims remained silent for decades, fearing their accounts would damage Chavez's legacy, but came forward after being contacted by reporters. Both women experienced long-term psychological effects including depression, panic attacks, and substance abuse. The investigation also found Chavez fathered four children out of wedlock with three women. Despite decades of whispers within the movement about his conduct, relatives and former farm worker leaders took no action to investigate or acknowledge victims. The United Farm Workers subsequently declined to participate in Chavez celebrations, citing incompatibility with organizational values.

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