Cesar Chavez, Civil Rights Leader, Accused of Sexual Assault

Investigation uncovers allegations of abuse against multiple women, including underage girls, over decades

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:53am

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A New York Times investigation has found that Cesar Chavez, the influential labor leader who fought for better wages and healthcare for farmworkers, sexually abused multiple women and underage girls over the course of decades. The report includes on-the-record interviews with several women who describe being assaulted by Chavez, as well as corroborating accounts from former union members and relatives. The revelations have prompted the cancellation of annual celebrations honoring Chavez's legacy.

Why it matters

Chavez was long hailed as a civil rights icon and champion of the farmworker movement, but these allegations call into question his legacy and the way he wielded power within his own organization. The revelations also highlight the challenges women faced in coming forward with accusations against powerful men, even within progressive movements, during that era.

The details

The Times investigation found that Chavez sexually assaulted at least two underage girls in the 1970s, as well as Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of his United Farm Workers union, in the 1960s. Several other women also described being pursued or sexually harassed by Chavez over the years. Many of the women said they remained silent for decades out of fear of tarnishing Chavez's reputation and the union's work. Internal union records and emails show some leaders were aware of the allegations as early as the 1980s.

  • In the winter of 1966, Chavez raped Dolores Huerta.
  • In August 1960, Chavez pressured Huerta to have sex with him during a work trip.
  • Starting when she was 13 years old in the 1970s, Chavez sexually abused Ana Murguia for several years.
  • When she was 12 years old, Chavez first touched and fondled Debra Rojas, continuing the abuse until she was 15.
  • In 1988, when Esmeralda Lopez was 19 years old, Chavez attempted to have sex with her during a speaking tour.

The players

Cesar Chavez

The influential labor leader who founded the United Farm Workers union and fought for better wages and healthcare for farmworkers, but was also accused of sexually abusing multiple women and underage girls over decades.

Dolores Huerta

The co-founder of the United Farm Workers union and longtime working partner of Chavez, who said he raped her in 1966 and pressured her to have sex in 1960.

Ana Murguia

One of two underage girls who said Chavez sexually abused them in the 1970s, starting when she was 13 years old.

Debra Rojas

The other underage girl who said Chavez first touched and fondled her when she was 12, and later raped her when she was 15.

Esmeralda Lopez

A 19-year-old woman who said Chavez attempted to have sex with her during a speaking tour in 1988 when he was 61.

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What they’re saying

“It was unimaginable to me, just hard to process. You're talking about my dad.”

— Paul Chavez, Chair of the Cesar Chavez Foundation

“Wake up people. This man u march for every year molested me.”

— Debra Rojas

“We need some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it.”

— United Farm Workers

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These allegations against a revered civil rights leader raise difficult questions about how to reconcile an individual's positive impact with their abusive personal conduct, and the challenges women faced in speaking out against powerful men even within progressive movements during that era.