In a city near the farmworker motion, some wrestle to course of Chavez allegations : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5772x3848+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6a%2F6f%2F8efdb9e04ada8351ace70fc3d952%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-25.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5772x3848+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6a%2F6f%2F8efdb9e04ada8351ace70fc3d952%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-25.jpg" class="img" alt="Signage outside of The Forty Acres, the first headquarters for the United Farm Workers of America, founded by Cesar Chavez in Delano, Calif., on March 29, 2026." fetchpriority="high"/> Signage outdoors of The Forty Acres, the primary headquarters for the United Farm Staff of America, based by Cesar Chavez in Delano, Calif., on March 29. Jennifer Emerling for NPR cover caption

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Jennifer Emerling for NPR DELANO, Calif. – A couple of hours north of Los Angeles, the small metropolis of Delano is surrounded by miles and miles of grapevines, orange groves and almond orchards. In line with Monike Reynozo, everybody right here both works in these fields, or is aware of somebody who does.

"That is what drives and fuels our metropolis," she stated.

Reynozo works for a youth advocacy group often known as Loud For Tomorrow, however she stated her dad and mom have been farmworkers, and their dad and mom earlier than them.

On a current spring morning, she's strolling down an alley to a brightly coloured mural that covers the facet of a constructing within the middle of city. It exhibits individuals in solar hats harvesting fruit, and just a little woman proudly holding a bunch of plump, purple grapes.

"It actually showcases a few of our native farm labor motion leaders in addition to the varied faces of Delano," she stated.

Some of the distinguished faces on the mural is Cesar Chavez, who lived in Delano for 9 years. Town was additionally residence to the primary headquarters of the United Farm Staff (UFW) labor union, which he cofounded within the Sixties and has been lobbying for reforms to farm labor ever since. He is lengthy been thought of an area hero.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5619x3746+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbe%2F9e%2F75bf97cb4d78bc50c295fdd68a1d%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-18.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5619x3746+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbe%2F9e%2F75bf97cb4d78bc50c295fdd68a1d%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-18.jpg" class="img" alt="Monike Reynozo, associate director of programs for the non-profit Loud for Tomorrow, stands in front of a mural depicting Cesar Chavez and other leaders of the farm labor movement in downtown Delano, Calif. on March 29, 2026. Chavez formed the United Farm Workers labor union in Delano, but following the sexual abuse allegations locals like Reynozo no longer believe he needs to be a part of the mural." loading="lazy"/> Monike Reynozo, affiliate director of applications for the non-profit Loud for Tomorrow, stands in entrance of a mural depicting Cesar Chavez and different leaders of the farm labor motion in downtown Delano, Calif. on March 29. Jennifer Emerling for NPR cover caption

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Jennifer Emerling for NPR <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5754x3836+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe3%2F4d%2Fb7027532474fb3a5f82529a69ebb%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-24.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5754x3836+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe3%2F4d%2Fb7027532474fb3a5f82529a69ebb%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-24.jpg" class="img" alt="A mural depicting civil rights icon Cesar Chavez, along with other leaders of the farm labor movement in downtown Delano, Calif. on March 29. In the fallout of the sexual abuse allegations against Chavez, many landmarks are under review to be renamed and his likeness is being taken down across California." loading="lazy"/> A mural depicting civil rights icon Cesar Chavez, together with different leaders of the farm labor motion in downtown Delano, Calif. on March 29. Within the fallout of the sexual abuse allegations towards Chavez, many landmarks are underneath evaluate to be renamed and his likeness is being taken down throughout California. Jennifer Emerling for NPR cover caption

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Jennifer Emerling for NPR However earlier this month the New York Instances revealed a bombshell investigation alleging the late civil rights chief sexually abused younger women within the Seventies, and raped his longtime ally and co-leader within the farmworkers labor motion, Dolores Huerta within the Sixties. The investigation got here out practically two weeks earlier than Chavez's birthday – March 31 – which has lengthy been a vacation in lots of locations. And within the aftermath of the allegations, some states, together with California, have scrambled to rename the day. In the meantime, farmworker communities are reeling – particularly in Central California, which turned the cradle of the farm labor motion.

As Reynozo appears up at his portrait, she says the allegations towards him are heartbreaking. He was one among her position fashions. However she thinks this mural – and the farmworker narrative – do not want him anymore.

"He is only one particular person amongst, you recognize, hundreds of people that have been combating for this and proceed to combat for it," she stated.

No consensus amongst Delano residents on the way to course of allegations Throughout California, statues of Chavez are being torn down and elected officers are shifting to erase his title from public areas.

Some in Delano are pushing for related modifications. The Delano Joint Union Excessive College District voted final week to rename Cesar E. Chavez Excessive College. And metropolis leaders are more likely to focus on renaming the town's Cesar Chavez Park in a metropolis council assembly in early April.

"Every thing that we need to bear in mind, for a way does accountability appear to be on the Delano degree, might be on the desk," stated metropolis councilmember Bryan Osorio.

However he is not sure the town council will vote to make modifications, as a result of there's a whole lot of resistance right here.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5745x3830+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fec%2Fbe%2F430724c8425e8e77f034c79daab5%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-4.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5745x3830+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fec%2Fbe%2F430724c8425e8e77f034c79daab5%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-4.jpg" class="img" alt="Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano, Calif. After sexual abuse allegations came out against Cesar Chavez, local students organized a petition to change the name of the school." loading="lazy"/> Cesar E. Chavez Excessive College in Delano, Calif. After sexual abuse allegations got here out towards Cesar Chavez, native college students organized a petition to vary the title of the college. Jennifer Emerling for NPR cover caption

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Jennifer Emerling for NPR <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5619x3746+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2F13%2Fa0dcca2e4941be54cc9378b8aa12%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-35.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5619x3746+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2F13%2Fa0dcca2e4941be54cc9378b8aa12%2Fdelano-cesarchavez-jemerling-35.jpg" class="img" alt="Cesar E. Chavez Park in Delano, Calif. In the fallout of the sexual abuse allegations against Chavez, the park is under review to be renamed by city council." loading="lazy"/> Cesar E. Chavez Park in Delano, Calif. Within the fallout of the sexual abuse allegations towards Chavez, the park is underneath evaluate to be renamed by metropolis council. Jennifer Emerling for NPR cover caption

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Jennifer Emerling for NPR Chavez's union helped rework circumstances for farmworkers – together with larger pay, work breaks, and even loos, which weren't assured within the fields. That modified individuals's lives. And that is why, Osorio says, many are combating the allegations towards Chavez. Some even really feel indignant at his accusers.

"This man was an enormous a part of Delano's historical past, remains to be a part of Delano's historical past," Osorio stated. "There's at all times going to be of us who're skeptical."

That features Armando Pulido. He picks grapes within the close by city of Earlimart. And like a whole lot of farmworkers within the space, he says he would not imagine Chavez's accusers.

"I feel every little thing is a lie, that they made up, as a result of they got here out with it now after Chavez died," he stated in Spanish. "Why did not they bring about it up whereas he was alive?"

Dolores Huerta defined why she waited to come back ahead in an interview with Latino USA on March 19.

"When individuals say, why did not you allow? Why did not you inform individuals? Nicely, that is why, as a result of I felt that my popping out and saying what occurred would have harm the motion," she stated.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1689+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F08%2F8ebcf6bd4f8ba50e6ed98250bedd%2Fgettyimages-2266728932.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1689+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2F08%2F8ebcf6bd4f8ba50e6ed98250bedd%2Fgettyimages-2266728932.jpg" class="img" alt="United Farm Workers leaders Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez display photos of the conditions that farmworkers endure in San Joaquin Valley farm labor camps at a news conference outside U.S. District Court in Fresno, California, on Nov. 21, 1989. (Richard Darby/Fresno Bee file/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)" loading="lazy"/> United Farm Staff leaders Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez show photographs of the circumstances that farmworkers endure in San Joaquin Valley farm labor camps at a information convention outdoors U.S. District Court docket in Fresno, California, on Nov. 21, 1989. Richard Darby/Fresno Bee/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photographs cover caption

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Richard Darby/Fresno Bee/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photographs The New York Instances reported that some individuals had beforehand been made conscious of abuse claims by two different girls – Ana Murgia and Debra Rojas – and nothing got here of it. They cited inside emails amongst union members about Murgia's claims going again over a decade. They usually additionally stated Rojas posted a message over ten years in the past about Chavez's alleged abuse to a personal Fb group for longtime Chavez organizers and supporters – and "was accused by some who noticed it or heard about it of jeopardizing all that had been achieved." NPR has not independently confirmed these particulars.

Some see a chance for extra knowledgeable conversations Whether or not or not the town finally erases Chavez's title from public areas, some assume this is a chance to focus on different pivotal labor leaders – together with Filipino organizer Larry Itliong.

Itliong, who was born in 1913, organized farmworkers for many years earlier than Chavez and Huerta got here alongside. And Filipino staff underneath Itliong's management began the 1965 Delano Grape Strike, which later led to the founding of the UFW.

"Quite a lot of Filipinos, to this present day, we at all times say: with out Larry Itliong, there'd be no Cesar Chavez," stated Rogelio Gadiano, who was born within the Philippines and grew up in Delano.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7035x4941+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa3%2Fcf%2F8e5f2d0047969c9ac4e790a6193b%2Fgettyimages-526266334.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7035x4941+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa3%2Fcf%2F8e5f2d0047969c9ac4e790a6193b%2Fgettyimages-526266334.jpg" class="img" alt="Cesar Chevez's Huelga Day March in San Francisco, 1966: Julio Hernandez (UFW officer), Larry Itliong (UFW director), and Cesar Chavez." loading="lazy"/> Cesar Chevez's Huelga Day March in San Francisco, 1966: Julio Hernandez (UFW officer), Larry Itliong (UFW director), and Cesar Chavez. Gerald French/Corbis through Getty Photographs cover caption

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Gerald French/Corbis through Getty Photographs Gadiano labored within the fields on and off from childhood into center age. At this time, he leads excursions of native historic websites that have been vital to the early farm labor motion. That features The Forty Acres, a sprawling website on the outskirts of city that held the UFW's first headquarters in addition to a retirement village for growing old Filipino farmworkers.

Gadiano needs Itliong's story – and the story of Filipino farmworkers – have been higher identified.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4080x3072+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F86%2F9e%2F663186ba4ac0b583f7f614ad79ec%2Fpxl-20260323-220612110-portrait.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4080x3072+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F86%2F9e%2F663186ba4ac0b583f7f614ad79ec%2Fpxl-20260323-220612110-portrait.jpg" class="img" alt="Rogelio Gadiano leads tours of local historical sites that were important to the early farm labor movement." loading="lazy"/> Rogelio Gadiano leads excursions of native historic websites that have been vital to the early farm labor motion. Kerry Klein/KVPR cover caption