Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta revealed she was among women and girls who say they were sexually abused by César Chavez, the long-admired Latino icon, while he led the United Farm Workers union.

A drone view shows supporters of farm labor unions during a march to mark Cesar Chavez Day and to protest against mass migrant deportation policies, in Delano, California, U.S. March 31, 2025. REUTERS/David Swanson/File Photo NEW YORK,

Cesar Chavez, the iconic labor leader, is accused of sexually assaulting two under-aged girls in the 1970s as well as fellow farmworker leader Dolores Huerta in the 1960s, according to an investigation from the New York Times.

A mural of Cesar Chavez is displayed at San Francisco State University on March 18, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Labor activist Cesar Chavez has been accused in an investigation of sexual abuse of women and minors.

Labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta said Wednesday that she was sexually abused by farmworker leader César Chávez decades ago, becoming the most high-profile figure to accuse him of misconduct.

Serious allegations against labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez have prompted the union he founded to abstain from this year's Cesar Chavez Day activities.

In a statement, the foundation said it was aware of accusations of inappropriate behavior with women and minors during his time as UFW president.

A New York Times investigation has uncovered “extensive evidence that the United Farm Workers co-founder” César Chávez “groomed and sexually abused girls who worked in the movement.” In addition to accusations Chávez abused minors and women,