SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías (D-15) released the following statement on the allegations of abuse and sexual assault by United Farm Workers co- founder, Cesar Chavez:
“I am deeply saddened and profoundly shaken by the recent revelations that a widely respected community leader long viewed as a champion of justice, was connected to a hidden history of abuse. The weight of this truth is difficult to process. It forces us to confront the painful reality that even those we elevate can carry secrets that cause lasting harm.
“While this moment is one of shock and disappointment, it must also be a moment of clarity and courage. We must center the voices of survivors those who have carried the burden of silence, fear, and injustice for far too long. Their experiences matter. Their truth matters. And their healing must be our priority.
“At the same time, we must remain committed to the principles of fairness and justice that guide our democracy. Even in the face of overwhelming and deeply troubling evidence, due process must be upheld. Accountability and justice are strongest when they are pursued with integrity, ensuring that truth is established through a fair and transparent process.
“This is also a time to confront the broader issue of toxic masculinity that continues to permeate our society where power, control, and silence too often enable the abuse of women across all spaces, including within movements meant to uplift and protect. We cannot claim progress while ignoring the systems and behaviors that allow such harm to persist.
“My heart is especially heavy for the children impacted by this painful legacy those who, through no fault of their own, were forced to live in the shadows of secrecy, denied the dignity of truth and identity. No child should ever have to carry the weight of circumstances born from abuse or be made to feel invisible because of it.
“As Latinos, we must lead with accountability and integrity, demonstrating to the rest of the nation what it means to confront painful truths, no matter how difficult. That same standard of accountability must extend across all levels of leadership in this country, including our highest offices, and to all individuals connected to wrongdoing. No one should be above scrutiny, and no institution should be shielded from transparency.
“We owe it to past, present, and future generations to break these cycles through accountability, transparency, and unwavering support for those who have been harmed.
“Let us not turn away from this moment. Let us rise to meet it with honesty, compassion, and a firm commitment to justice.”
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