Inside La Paz, the California Mountain Compound Led by Cesar Chavez
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- In 1979, Cesar Chavez, leader of the United Farm Workers, exhibited unusual behavior during a staff meeting by asking who could see his aura, unsettling longtime union members.
- Chavez's followers, including Larry Tramutola and his wife, had previously endured intense organizational demands and personal interventions, reflecting the leader's authoritative influence.
- Recent revelations by The New York Times about Chavez's sexual abuse and assault have shocked California's labor community and prompted reevaluation of his legacy.
- The union's La Paz compound near Bakersfield, where Chavez lived with followers for decades, is now seen as a place where his leadership began to deteriorate.
- These disclosures challenge the long-held perception of Chavez as a civil rights icon and have stirred reflection among activists who once revered him.
