CFA Statement on César Chávez

We are devastated to learn of the child sexual abuse, assault, and rape stories from Dolores Huerta and other survivors that have been revealed over the past few days about César Chávez. We are in solidarity with Dolores Huerta, Ana Murguia, Debra Rojas, Esmeralda Lopez, and all survivors who have experienced abuse and sexual violence in their workplaces, movement spaces, and beyond.

Movements for civil rights and social justice are not immune to patriarchy and all its violence. They are too often embedded in them. This includes organized labor and academic spaces as well. There is no place for violence against women and gender non-binary folks in the fight for justice.

We are committed to antiracist, social justice unionism because we understand that being safe from violence, harassment, and exploitation at work and in our movements is just as important as winning competitive wages and benefits. As a labor union, we must fight sexual and gender-based violence and complicity. We need to continue dialogue, healing from harm, and building a co-liberatory world.

We wish peace and healing to the survivors and commend their courage to come forward and empower others to tell their truth. We remain committed to dismantling sexism, gender-based violence, and patriarchy that exist in organizing spaces and continue advocating for survivors in workplaces. Changing street signs and other namesakes will only be the first step in our movements to create co-liberation for all. No movement is one person; it will take all of us to stay united and create a safer world for the generations that will come after us.

In Solidarity,
CFA Officers