What's at stake:
Following new reports of allegations of sexual misconduct by Cesar Chavez, Fresno Unified has announced on Tuesday it would be pulling out from an event celebrating Chavez on Wednesday.
Fresno Unified will not participate in an upcoming Cesar Chavez celebration on Wednesday, citing newly revealed allegations against the late labor leader.
While the district’s announcement Tuesday did not reference any specific allegations, it came as a myriad of labor groups across the country announced canceling plans to celebrate Chavez.
“Fresno Unified will not participate in the Cesar Chavez celebration planned for Wednesday, March 18 at the Warnors Theatre,” the district said in a Tuesday news release. “Due to recent allegations about Cesar Chavez, district officials have determined that students and staff will not be part of the program or the march afterward to the Cesar Chavez Adult Education Center.”
The Cesar Chavez Foundation, an organization originally founded in 1966 by Chavez as the National Farm Workers Service Center, expressed its shock in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“The Cesar Chavez Foundation has become aware of disturbing allegations that Cesar Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors during his time as President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW),” the foundation said.
Additionally, the LA Times reported on Tuesday that the United Farm Workers (UFW) union will stop celebrations of its founder this year because of the allegations.
Wednesday’s event originally planned to include FUSD Superintendent Misty Her as a speaker and for students to march from the theatre to the Cesar Chavez Adult Education Center.
The event, hosted by the Latino Educational Issues Roundtable, has been canceled, according to the event’s page on Eventbrite. The event’s cancellation appears to be the first of its kind in Fresno — mirroring a nationwide response to the shocking allegations against the Chicano labor and civil rights activist.
Specific details of Chavez’s alleged sexual misconduct involving underage survivors have yet to be revealed.
The foundation noted that it would be partnering with the UFW to create a confidential process for victims to share their experiences.
