Denver’s annual commemoration of the labor activism of César E. Chávez is approaching, as city offices prepare to close for . The city is host to César Chávez Park in northwest Denver, and a federal building on Speer Boulevard bears his name.
But now city and community leaders are grappling with the fallout of newly reported allegations that Chávez abused girls and sexually assaulted a fellow labor leader, clouding the civil rights activist’s legacy of improving conditions for U.S. farmworkers. A group planning an annual Denver march in honor of Chávez next month quickly canceled the event.
In a report Wednesday morning, The New York Times detailed the results of its investigation of Chávez. Even before it was published, the United Farm Workers union that Chávez founded itself from upcoming celebrations.
“The investigation is serious and will have major ripple effects,” predicted Denver City Councilwoman Jamie Torres. “We have a holiday and a park named after him, and after hearing what’s coming forward so far, we should rename both.”
Torres often has sponsored annual proclamations honoring Chávez’s legacy. But ahead of this month’s city holiday, she said, the council won’t consider one.
Council President Amanda Sandoval said Wednesday morning that the organizer of Denver’s annual march and celebration of Chávez, the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver, planned to cancel this year’s April 11 event. The committee confirmed the decision in an afternoon announcement.
The annual march steps off from Regis University and ends at César Chávez Park at West 41st Avenue and North Tennyson Street.
“It’s a heartbreaking day for us,” said Sandoval, a member of a storied Latino family in Denver whose district includes the park. She said she planned to meet with Mayor Mike Johnston’s office later Wednesday about the process to rename the park.
“We are appalled by the allegations against César Chávez and our thoughts are with the survivors of his actions. The city is currently collecting information and evaluating steps going forward,” said Jon Ewing, a spokesman for Johnston.
Among the women who stepped forward in the Times’ story with allegations of abuse by Chávez was activist Dolores Huerta, now 95, who said he raped her in 1966. Two other women told the Times that Chávez molested them beginning when they were 12 or 13 years old. The Times reported that documents, emails, other writings and interviews provided corroboration for elements of the women’s stories.
Chávez died in 1993. Denver has recognized César Chávez Day as a city holiday since 2002, and it renamed Alcott Park after him in 2005. In 2015, a statue of the activist was installed.
The Peace and Justice Committee said in a statement that it “unequivocally supports the abused women and children and their survivors.”
“The Committee will plan a future event to continue honoring and celebrating the local unions and immigrant rights organizations who have participated in our past marches and celebrations,” the statement continued. “The Committee continues to support their struggle towards liberation and social justice for all people.”
The César E. Chávez Memorial Building, a federal office building constructed in the 1980s and renovated more than a decade ago, houses several federal agencies at 1244 Speer Blvd. Those include regional offices of the departments of Education and Labor, the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet’s Denver office . In a statement, he called the reports “horrific” and said his thoughts were with the survivors, whom he applauded for coming forward.
Bennet said the United Farm Workers’ movement was bigger than just Chávez, and he noted the millions of people who marched and rallied in that movement. His spokesperson, Sophie Ulin, said Thursday morning that his office is looking into a name change for the building and what that process would entail.
“As Coloradans grapple with today’s revelations and we move to rename landmarks, we must ensure the survivors receive the dignity and justice they are owed,” Bennet said.
Impact elsewhere
Besides Denver, Colorado recognizes César Chávez Day as a holiday on March 31, the late Chávez’s birthday, though it doesn’t close state offices.
Colorado , on Colorado 47, in his honor near Pueblo.
In Greeley, the University of Northern Colorado opened the in 1985.
Deanna Herbert, assistant vice president for communications at UNC, said the university was aware of the new allegations against Chávez and was “reviewing this matter and will evaluate appropriate next steps” related to the campus resource center.
“We recognize that this news may be concerning for members of our university community and others who are connected to the legacy of César Chávez and the farmworker movement,” Herbert said in a statement. “The university condemns all forms of abuse, including sexual assault, and remains committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for everyone within our community.”
In a statement Tuesday, the United Farm Workers union said allegations of “abuse of young women or minors” were concerning enough to urge people around the country to participate in immigration justice events or acts of service instead of the typical events in March to commemorate Chavez’s legacy.
Several César Chávez celebrations in San Francisco, Texas and Chávez’s home state of Arizona were canceled at the request of the César Chávez Foundation, which also has said itap become aware of disturbing allegations about Chávez during his time as president of the union.
Public affairs editor Jon Murray, the Associated Press and The New York Times contributed to this story.
