UC San Diego canceled its César E. Chávez Celebration Month kickoff event after sexual assault allegations against the late labor leader arose, according to a university statement released on March 18.

Earlier that day, The New York Times published an investigative report detailing sexual assault accusations against Chávez from several women, including United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta. In her testimony, Huerta stated that Chávez assaulted her twice, in 1960 and 1966. Many other women from the original farmworkers movement alleged that Chávez sexually abused them when they were teenagers in the 1970s.

Huerta said she stayed silent for 60 years because she was concerned that her speaking out would negatively impact the movement. 

The campus notice from UCSD read that the University is “aware of the disturbing allegations” made against Chávez and remains committed to “honoring the legacy of the farmworker rights movement.” 

The César E. Chávez Celebration Month Committee canceled its Thursday signature kickoff event, and said it would reevaluate additional programming associated with the celebration month. UCSD’s annual César E. Chávez Celebration Month typically includes lectures, cultural events, and scholarship recognition programs honoring the legacy of the farmworkers rights movement. The University will recognize scholarship award recipients at a later date.

Chávez was a prominent labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers union in 1962 alongside Huerta. He became a national figure through organizing farmworkers and leading nonviolent protests, including boycotts and marches, that drew national attention to labor conditions in the agricultural sector. In recognition of his contributions, California established César Chávez Day as a state holiday in 2000.

Following legislative action in California, the University of California system also announced that it would rename César Chávez Day as Farmworkers Day. In a message to UC employees, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rachael Nava said the UC system “[stands] firmly with survivors of sexual violence” and “[supports] the California legislature’s commitment to honoring the farmworkers whose work and activism have been vital to [California].”

University officials said that remaining programming is under review.