Jayapal Statement on Cesar Chavez’s Reported Sexual Abuse

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement regarding new reporting on Cesar Chavez's grooming and abuse of young women and girls.

"I am absolutely horrified and deeply saddened by the accounts of multiple young girls and women who were assaulted, abused, and groomed by Cesar Chavez. Thank you to the survivors who have come forward to share their stories. This decision required incredible bravery, and I stand with you.

"Like so many organizers, I have long looked up to the movement that Mr. Chavez helped to build, lead, and fight for. Now that movement is refusing to be silent again about the abuses of power by Mr. Chavez himself. It is particularly painful to see yet again how no field-not even the fight for workers' rights-is immune to the abuses of power by men who assault and intimidate women and girls. The entire culture that protects these men forced these survivors to carry this secret for far too long, creating real trauma and harm not only for them but for so many others who now feel the betrayal of a movement leader they trusted. Real accountability means we intentionally work to change the culture that allows this kind of abuse to exist, and we support survivors coming forward in every possible way to demand accountability.

"Once again, it is the courage displayed by these women survivors that teaches us. In the words of one of the survivors, it is 'the movement - that's the hero.' The movement, which was built by organizers, survivors, and workers, will live on and continue to fight for justice, truth and accountability."

Issues: Jobs, Labor, & the Economy, Public Safety & Criminal Justice