Many local leaders were shocked and “heartbroken” on Wednesday after a New York Times investigation revealed sexual abuse allegations against prominent Latino farmworker activist César Chávez.

In Santa Barbara, there’s already talk of changing the name of Calle Cesar Chavez, named for him. 

The years-long Times investigation details evidence uncovered through interviews, letters and genetic testing that Chávez, a co-founder of the United Farm Workers, sexually abused young girls involved in the nonprofit. Chávez died in 1993 at the age of 66.

On Wednesday, Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the union and a Latina and farm labor movement icon, revealed she had been sexually abused by Chávez twice and kept it a secret for 60 years. 

“The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn’t feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to. The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped,” she said in an Instagram post. 

Santa Barbara City Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez proposed changing the name of Calle Cesar Chavez, a street on the Lower Eastside, in response to the accusations.

“I believe we have a responsibility to address this publicly,” he said in a social media statement.

A proposed street name change would have to undergo a “lengthy process,” and the issue could go in front of the Santa Barbara City Council as soon as early April, according to City Administrator Kelly McAdoo.

The City Council would have to direct staff to begin the renaming process at a future meeting date. McAdoo said she would be “discussing these concerns with councilmembers.” 

The council could also begin to discuss what to do in regards to the city-recognized holiday named for Chavez. For now, it will still observe the holiday on March 31.

“As this is a benefit to employees, any change or elimination of the holiday would require negotiations with the unions,” McAdoo said.

Residents also proposed changing the street name online, and Gutierrez responded by saying “we will change the name of the street and the name of the holiday in his honor as well,” on Reddit.

Santa Barbara renamed a controversial street name in 2020 after city and community leaders deemed the original name was offensive. 

Local schools with ties to Chávez are left grappling with the accusations.

Adelante Charter School, formally known as César Chávez Charter School, might action in response to the allegations in early April.

The school’s mission is “deeply rooted in the civil rights activist, Latino and farm worker leader, and community organizer,” it says on the website. 

“We are aware of the recent allegations involving César Chávez, and as a school community, we are in complete shock as we learn more about this information,” executive director Javier Bolívar said in an email to Noozhawk.

Bolívar said any official statement from the school would have to be discussed at its next Board of Directors meeting.

UC Santa Barbara’s Department of Chicano Studies, whose curriculum teaches the farmworker and immigrants rights movement which includes Huerta, said they stand in solidarity with her and condemn sexual assault.

“At UCSB, we honor Huerta’s legacy materially: a room in South Hall has carried her name over 15 years. A photo of Huerta on the wall witnesses gatherings, lectures, debates, and learning inspired by her leadership. Today, her name carries renewed significance,” the statement said.

The United Farm Workers, along with many other organizations across California which admired Chavez, have cancelled events scheduled for César Chávez Day. UFW put out a statement calling the accusations disturbing and indefensible.

“As a women-led organization that exists to empower communities, the allegations about abusive behavior by Cesar Chavez go against everything that we stand for,” the statement said.

Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, also urged people to not celebrate Chávez in the coming weeks.

“I believe we cannot celebrate a man, regardless of his accomplishments, if he harmed women and children in such evil ways. This March 31, I urge our community to unite around celebrating the contributions and essential work of farmworkers, rather than celebrating César Chávez,” he said in a statement. 

California Senate president pro tem Monique Limón, D-Goleta, said in a statement that the “accounts of abuse are devastating and painful.” 

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said in a speech that state legislators will propose renaming the holiday as Farmworker Day.

Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), a Santa Maria nonprofit that has held events in the past commemorating Chávez, said they were heartbroken to learn about the allegations.

“We are heartbroken feeling the profound grief in our communities from the emerging allegations of sexual abuse by César Chávez. We stand with all of the survivors, from Dolores Huerta herself to those whose names we may never know,” CAUSE said in a social media statement.

“Social movements have always been far more than singular leaders. The farmworker movement did not begin with Chávez nor has it ended with him.”