In a bombshell announcement Tuesday, the United Farm Workers said it will cancel celebrations of its co-founder, César Chávez, because of “disturbing allegations” that he “engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior and minors” while he led the union.

The union didn’t reveal specific allegations.

But it went on to say that the claims against the late labor icon “are incompatible with our organization’s values. Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on. Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors. … We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations.”

Canceling events, the union said, would “provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose.”

In addition, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, a nonprofit which honors the late civil rights leader, said it was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the abuse allegations against Chávez.

The foundation also said it is working to respond to the allegations and support anyone who may have been harmed by Chavez.

Impact Felt in Fresno and Across the Country

On Tuesday afternoon, Fresno Unified School District announced it won’t participate in the Chávez celebration planned for Wednesday at Warnors Theatre.

“Due to recent allegations about César Chávez, 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 district said in a statement.

The highly advertised event, which was organized by the Latino Educational Issues Roundtable, appears to have been canceled. Once listed on Eventbrite, it disappeared Tuesday.

César Chávez Day is celebrated on his March 31 birthday to commemorate farmworkers’ and laborers’ rights.

In Texas, the San Antonio Express-News reported that civil rights icon and UFW co-founded Dolores Huerta dropped out of a march honoring Chavez in Corpus Christi, and the march was subsequently canceled.

The Los Angeles Times also reported event cancellations in Houston, San Antonio, Tucson, and San Bernardino.

The UFW was founded as the National Farm Workers Association in 1962 in California.

Fresno Street Name Changes

In 2023, the Fresno City Council voted to change California Avenue, and Ventura and Kings Canyon boulevards to Cesar Chavez Boulevard. After a court battle by opponents who cited the costs to businesses and the heritage of the existing street names, the change was made.