US civil rights leader Cesar Chavez accused of sexual abuse

US civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, who was known for advocating for the rights of farm workers, has been accused of sexual abuse. Dolores Huerta said in the 1960s, Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers union (UFW) with her, once "manipulated and pressured" her into having sex, and on another occasion forced her. It comes after the New York Times published an investigation on Wednesday that detailed allegations from Huerta and two other women, who said Chavez groomed and sexually abused girls who were involved in the labour movement during the 1960s and 1970s. In a statement, his family said they are "devastated" by the reports and praised the women's "courage to come forward". Chavez, who died in 1993 aged 66, rallied California's farmworkers from the 1950s to push for improvements in working conditions, and led national boycotts and marches. In her statement, Huerta, 95, said the two encounters with Chavez resulted in pregnancies that she chose to keep secret, arranging for the children to be raised by other families. "I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was my life's work," she said. Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, both 66, told the New York Times that Chavez sexually abused them for years when they were girls, from around 1972 to 1977, when he was in his 40s. Multiple events to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day, a commemorative holiday that takes place on 31 March, have been cancelled or renamed. In a statement, the UFW said it was cancelling its participation in the celebrations. The union added that it had "not received any direct reports" and "do not have any firsthand knowledge" of the allegations. California Governor Gavin Newsom said the farm workers movement and labour movement "are much bigger than one man", and that he stands with "the courageous women" like Huerta. At a separate event, he said he was open to renaming Cesar Chavez Day in California. Republican assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo, of California, has also filed legislation to change the holiday's name to Farmworker Day. "The sickening reality is that what Dolores, Ana, and Debra endured is not isolated, nor is it of the past," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, demanding sustained action to dismantle structures that have hurt women. The allegations have prompted widespread condemnation, including from the civil rights organisation, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). "No individual, regardless of stature or legacy, is above accountability when it comes to protecting and upholding the dignity of others," LULAC said in a statement. The Cesar Chavez Foundation said it is aware of "disturbing allegations" that its founder had engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour with women and minors during his time as president of the UFW. The foundation said it is "deeply shocked and saddened" by the allegations, and is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement "to be responsive to these allegations" and support those who may have been harmed.