Revelations of Abuse by Cesar Chavez Followed By Bombshell From Dolores Huerta: Chavez Assaulted Her, Too

"Two women, Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, both now 66, say that Chavez assaulted them when they were minors. Murguia says she was first abused by Chavez when she was 13 years old, and he had known her since she was 8. Rojas says her abuse began when she was 12 years old, and the Times reports that when she was 15, Chavez arranged to have her accompany him, staying in a motel, during the famed 1,000 Mile March demonstration in 1975, and had intercourse with her multiple times."

"I am nearly 96 years old, and for the last 60 years have kept a secret because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for. I have encouraged people to always use their voice. Following the New York Times' multi-year investigation into sexual misconduct by Cesar Chavez, I can no longer remain silent."

A New York Times investigation exposed sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez, the former president of the United Farm Workers union. Two women, Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, both now 66, reported that Chavez assaulted them when they were minors in the 1970s. Murguia was first abused at age 13, while Rojas's abuse began at age 12, including multiple instances of intercourse during a 1975 march. Co-founder Dolores Huerta, nearly 96 years old, broke her silence revealing that Chavez assaulted her and coerced her into unwanted sexual encounters that resulted in two pregnancies. The revelations prompted the United Farm Workers and multiple localities to cancel Cesar Chavez Day celebrations.

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