California Confronts the Cesar Chavez Allegations

California will rename Cesar Chavez Day after the New York Times reported Wednesday that the labor icon had sexually abused, assaulted and raped girls and women, including his longtime collaborator Dolores Huerta. The Times’ yearslong investigation, which was corroborated by more than 60 interviews and hundreds of farmworker union records, broke decades of silence by Chavez’s victims, who said they refrained from speaking for fear of tarnishing the union leader’s storied reputation. As Californians reel from revelations that upend popular assumptions about Chavez, we talk about how his legacy’s being reshaped and hear your reactions.

Guests:

Miriam Pawel, journalist and author, "The Crusades of Cesar Chavez: A Biography"

Manny Fernandez, California editor-at-large, The New York Times

Matthew J. Garcia, professor of Latin American, Latino and Caribbean studies, Dartmouth College; author, "From the Jaws of Victory: The Triumph and Tragedy of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Workers Movement"

Alexandra Macedo, assemblywoman representing California's 33rd assembly district, which includes Fresno County, Kings County and Tulare County

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