凯萨·查维斯是已故的农场工人组织者，他成为了全国民权偶像，也是联合农场工人的创始人之一，他被指控虐待“年轻女性或未成年人”，该工会在周二的一份声明中表示。
“UFW获悉了令人深感不安的指控，即该工会的联合创始人之一凯萨·查维斯的行为与我们组织的价值观不相容，”该工会表示。“有些报道是家庭问题，不是我们要讲的故事，也不是我们要评论的地方。更令人不安的是涉及虐待年轻女性或未成年人的指控。关于非常年轻的妇女或女孩可能成为受害者的指控令人震惊。”
UFW表示，它对任何指控都没有“第一手知识”，也没有直接收到有关这些指控的报告。
“然而，这些指控足够严重，我们不得不采取紧急措施，以了解更多信息，并为可能受害的人提供空间，以寻求支持，并分享他们的故事，如果这是他们的选择，”该联盟表示。
这些指控的消息出现在全国各州将于3月31日庆祝凯萨·查维斯日的两周前。最近几天，包括圣安东尼奥在内的城市取消了纪念查韦斯的活动。
凯萨·查维斯基金会和联合农场工人都发表了声明对虐待的指控。UFW表示不会参加任何凯萨·查维斯日的活动。
“凯萨·查维斯基金会已经意识到令人不安的指控，即凯萨·查维斯在担任美国联合农场工人(UFW)主席期间，与妇女和未成年人发生了不适当的性行为，”他说该基金会在一份声明中说。
“我们对所听到的消息深感震惊和悲痛。该基金会正在与农场工人运动的领导人合作，以回应这些指控，支持那些可能受到他的行为伤害的人，并确保我们团结一致，以我们对正义和社区赋权的承诺为指导，”声明说。
这两个组织表示，他们将建立一个他们称之为保密和独立的渠道，“让那些可能经历过凯萨·查维斯造成的伤害的人”分享他们的经历。
UFW在声明中说:“这个渠道是为那些希望分享他们的伤害经历的人提供的，以确定他们当前的影响和需求，如果愿意，可以参与集体进程，以建立修复和问责机制。”
查韦斯于1993年去世，享年66岁。
在他去世三十多年后的今天，查韦斯继续说道成为农场工人和移民权利运动的代言人。他几十年来领导的抵制、抗议和罢工帮助提高了该国农业地区农场工人的工资和工作条件。
2014年，美国总统巴拉克奥巴马(Barack Obama)将凯萨·查维斯日定为联邦纪念日。
“这些指控非常令人震惊。我们需要一些时间来纠正这一点，包括确保向那些可能需要的人提供强有力的创伤知情服务，”该联盟补充说。
Cesar Chavez accused of abusing 'young women or minors,' UFW says
Cesar Chavez, the late farmworker organizer who became a national civil rights icon and co-founded the United Farm Workers, is accused of abusing "young women or minors," the union said in a statement Tuesday.
"The UFW has learned of deeply troubling allegations that one of the union's co-founders, Cesar Chavez, behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization's values," the union said. "Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on. Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors. Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing."
UFW says it does not have "firsthand knowledge" of any of the allegations and has not directly received reports of what they may be.
"However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose," the union said.
News of the allegations comes just two weeks before states across the country are set to observe Cesar Chavez Day on March 31. In recent days, cities including San Antonio have canceled events honoring Chavez.
Both the Cesar Chavez Foundation and the United Farm Workers have released statements referencing non-specificallegations of abuse. UFW says it will not be taking part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities.
"The Cesar Chavez Foundation has become aware of disturbing allegations that Cesar Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors during his time as President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW),"the foundation said in a statement.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by what we are hearing. The Foundation is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement to be responsive to these allegations, support the people who may have been harmed by his actions, and ensure we are united and guided by our commitment to justice and community empowerment,"the statement said.
The two organizations say they will be establishing what they described as a confidential and independent channel "for those who may have experienced harm caused by Cesar Chavez" to share their experiences.
"This channel is for those who wish to share their experiences of harm, to identify their current impacts and needs, and, if desired, to participate in a collective process to develop mechanisms for repair and accountability," UFW said in the statement.
Chavez died in 1993 at the age of 66.
In modern day, more than three decades after his passing, Chavez continuesto be the face of farmworker and immigrant rights movements. His decades of leading boycotts, protests, and strikes helped to improve the wages and working conditions for farmworkers in the country's agricultural regions.
Cesar Chavez Day was established as a federal commemorative holiday by President Barack Obama in 2014.
"These allegations have been profoundly shocking. We need some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it," the union added.
