Local advocate who worked closely with Cesar Chavez, speaks on sexual abuse allegations

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - "I believe them," local farmworker advocate Amalia DeAztlan said, after hearing of sexual abuse allegations made against her late peer and civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez.

Earlier this week, a New York Times investigation shared substantial evidence that Chavez sexually molested and groomed young girls during the height of his United Farm Worker movement.

The UFW said in its statement that allegations include, 'very young women or girls may have been victimized.'

UFW co-founder, Dolores Huerta, has also come forward with claims that Chavez raped her on two occasions, according to a statement released on her Instagram.

"As a young mother in the 1960s, I experienced two separate sexual encounters with Cesar. The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn’t feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to. The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped," she said.

Huerta went on to allege Chavez impregnated her twice, and that she gave the children away to be raised by more stable families. The co-founder claims she kept the allegations hidden for over 60 years out of fear it would tarnish the labor movement.

DeAztlan, who worked closely with both Chavez and Huerta since her start as an organizer at age 17. says her phone has been ringing all day with concerns from the community.

"I feel hurt, disappointed that this happened and I believe the women. I do believe that Dolores, who tried to save the United Farm Workers and has done so much work, does not get the credit that she deserves," she said.

Now, she's encouraging those feeling discouraged, to keep the movement for justice going.

"Yes, one man was not what we thought he was, but he was not the movement. The movement was tthe farmworkers. It was a movement of farmworkers. The leaders are not as strong if they don't have the the people that do the work," she said.

While DeAztlan was close with Chavez in his final days, she says she never experienced or witnessed inappropriate behavior from him.

"He came to my home and stayed in my home. I had a long conversation when he called me from Arizona, like two weeks before he died. I never got to see anything, but I do believe the women," she said.

Celebrations for Cesar Chavez Day were canceled by the Cesar Chavez Foundation and United Farm Workers (UFW) Foundation, after the report's release.

Here in the Coachella Valley, Chavez's imprint on the labor rights movement has been undeniable. During his movement, Chavez advocated for better working conditions for day laborers in the East Valley.

The city of Coachella has a street named after the late civil rights leader, a memorial and Cesar Chavez Elementary School, as well as plans to formally declare a 'Coachella Chavez Day.'

Local leaders also reacted to the allegations. Representative Raul Ruiz issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

"I am deeply heartbroken for the victims, Ms. Murgia, Ms. Rojas, and Ms. Dolores Huerta. My thoughts are with them as they process this pain.

I am outraged and disgusted by the harm that was done to young girls. There is no excuse for abuse, and I unequivocally condemn rape and child molestation.

Like many, I am grappling with the fact that someone I once saw as an inspiration caused such harm. That makes this even more painful,  but it does not change what is right. We must stand with survivors and hold abusers accountable.

We must also support organizations like "Líderes Campesinas", which work on the front lines to combat sexual harassment and abuse in the agricultural industry.

I will continue to honor and fight for farmworkers and the farmworker movement , not the man."

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.