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Former volunteer sues César Chavez nonprofits over failing to stop union leader from alleged sexual abuse
Yahoo News Singapore • • nation
Key Points:
- A woman who alleges she was sexually abused by labor leader César Chavez decades ago has filed a lawsuit against nonprofits tied to him, including the César Chavez Foundation and the United Farm Workers Foundation, accusing them of failing to investigate abuse complaints.
- The lawsuit, filed in Southern California on behalf of a Jane Doe now in her 80s, details multiple assaults by Chavez in the 1970s and claims the organizations tried to hide evidence of sexual harassment and assaults within the movement.
- The plaintiff seeks a jury trial and damages for emotional distress, lost earnings, and punitive measures, while her attorneys anticipate more survivors may come forward.
- The César Chavez Foundation stated it is reviewing the complaint with legal counsel and reaffirmed support for victims, while the United Farm Workers union declined to comment.
- Following the abuse revelations, Chavez's legacy has been widely reevaluated, with public commemorations canceled and institutions renaming places formerly honoring him, highlighting a push for accountability despite his historic status.
