Abuse Allegations

(This story contains sensitive content.)

Civil Rights icon César Chávez has been accused of abusing women and girls over decades. 

A New York Times investigation published Wednesday detailed sexual abuse allegations from Dolores Huerta—Chávez’s co-founder at the United Farm Workers (UFW) union—and two other women. Huerta, 95, said Chávez “manipulated and pressured” her into sexual encounters that resulted in two children; Huerta kept silent to protect the labor movement. The other women claim his abuse began when they were children and Chávez was UFW president.

The UFW—and several states—canceled their César Chávez Day activities, calling the allegations “deeply troubling,” and some officials are debating renaming streets and buildings bearing Chávez’s name. 

The labor leader rose to fame in the 60s and 70s, organizing strikes and boycotts for better wages and conditions for farmworkers. He died in 1993 at age 66.

PRAY WITH US
When heroes fail, Christians are reminded why we can never put our faith in any man or woman. Only Christ lived sinlessly and offers true security and justice:

“Where our trust has been twisted, O Christ, where those who ought to have served us have instead sought control… where sex and scandal, or greed and ambition for power have come to light, wounding our souls—now be about the work of healing those deep hurts. Let those who are injured yet see such stark contrast between the self-serving manipulations of a duplicitous leader, and the self-sacrificing love of their eternal King, that they could never confuse the one for the other. Amen.” 
Every Moment Holy, Vol. III, pages 306-307