Dolores Huerta speaks out in first public interview since sexual assault allegations against Cesar Chavez surfaced

In a podcast interview with Latino USA, a present by Futuro Media, revered labor chief Dolores Huerta speaks out in regards to the allegations of sexual abuse towards acclaimed civil rights chief Cesar Chavez.

A New York Occasions investigation that was printed on Wednesday revealed allegations that Chavez raped and abused ladies and women. The investigation included accounts from two ladies who allege Chavez sexually abused them after they have been youngsters within the Seventies. Huerta, 95, who co-founded a labor group with Chavez that might later merge with United Farm Employees, has additionally alleged she was raped by Chavez within the Sixties, which led to 2 pregnancies. 

In an announcement, Huerta, who famously coined the phrase “Si se puede,” mentioned she had saved the assaults a secret for the final 60 years as a result of she believed “exposing the reality would harm the farmworker motion I’ve spent my total life preventing for.” 

Huerta mentioned she had skilled two separate encounters with Chavez. “The primary time I used to be manipulated and pressured into having intercourse with him, and I did not really feel I may say no as a result of he was somebody that I admired, my boss and the chief of the motion I had already devoted years of my life to,” Huerta wrote. “The second time I used to be pressured, towards my will, and in an setting the place I felt trapped.”

In response to The Occasions’ investigation, the Chavez household referred to as the allegations “deeply painful.” They mentioned they need peace and therapeutic to the survivors and commend them for his or her braveness to come back ahead. 

“We stay dedicated to farmworkers and the causes he and numerous others championed and proceed to champion,” the assertion mentioned. “We ask for understanding and privateness as we proceed to course of this troublesome info.”

In her first public interview because the allegations surfaced, Huerta instructed Maria Hinojosa, government producer and anchor from Latino USA, that on the time of the incidents, she felt alone and that she did not have anybody shut by to achieve out to assist.

CBS LA has reached out to the Chavez Basis for a remark in response to Huerta’s interview.

“It by no means would have occurred within the first place if I had not had this nice admiration for him and he was my employer, he was my boss,” Huerta mentioned.

Huerta instructed The New York Occasions she had two daughters who have been raised by different members of the family. 

“The one factor I do be ok with right now, I nonetheless, I’ve sturdy relationships with all of my youngsters,” Huerta mentioned. “I’ve very, very sturdy and proud relationships of the 2 daughters that got here from these incidents with Cesar.” 

Huerta mentioned she by no means confronted Chavez in regards to the alleged incidents, and that is one factor she is sorry about.

“I assume that is the one factor that I am sorry about, as a result of God is aware of, had I achieved that, possibly not directly, it could have prevented different ladies and women, who is aware of,” Huerta mentioned.

Huerta mentioned she continues to be making an attempt to course of the information that Chavez allegedly harm others, however she applauds the opposite ladies for having the braveness to share their tales. When requested if she’s spoken to the opposite alleged victims, Huerta mentioned she has not.

Huerta defined that though Chavez had a “darkish facet,” it shouldn’t take away from the work the motion was capable of accomplish for thus many individuals.

“I believe we simply have to have a look at the accomplishments that have been made, the issues that farm staff have right now, that they by no means had, the issues that impressed so many individuals to become involved,” Huerta mentioned.

When Huerta was requested how she’s caring for herself, she mentioned she has a powerful help system serving to her transfer ahead.

“We’re not going to let something cease our progress, that we will proceed to go ahead till we get to the respect and the fairness that our group and particularly the ladies, deserve,” Huerta mentioned.