Milwaukee César Chávez statue removed amid sexual abuse allegations
By Sam Schmitz, Imani Fleming
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MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (WISN) — The César Chávez statue in front of El Rey on Cesar Chavez Drive and Mineral Street has been taken down and removed.
The New York Times published an investigative story Wednesday, alleging the late labor leader abused and molested women and young girls for decades. Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers Association with Chávez said she was a victim too.
Chávez died in 1993.
In 1996, Milwaukee renamed a stretch of 16th Street as César Chávez Drive.
The statue was installed in 2016.
“We are going to replace this statue with one of a migrant family,” Villarreal said. “
“The statue is off here, and it starts to feel better,” he said.
“For so many years, the community comes here and talks and comes and sits for a while, things like that. It was sad thing to hear that,” Villareal said.
The teardown drew in a small crowd outside the grocery store on Cesar Chavez Drive and Mineral Street early Friday morning. Some people told WISN 12 News they don’t agree with it.
“For him to be tossed to the side, it’s not okay in my eyes. At least give the man his chance to speak. You can’t. He’ s dead. 33 years later, he’s dead. So far us to go this far with it,” said Jose Diaz.
Milwaukee officials are canceling César Chávez Day, which was set to take place at the end of March.
In a statement Wednesday, Milwaukee alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa said she believes Chávez’s accusers.
“The accounts shared today by Dolores Huerta, Ana Murguia, Debra Rojas, and other survivors are devastating. The New York Times investigation documents a pattern of sexual abuse and rape by César Chávez, including the grooming and assault of girls as young as 12. These women carried enormous pain for decades because they feared that speaking the truth would cost the movement everything they had sacrificed to build. That is an impossible burden, and they should never have had to carry it.
“I believe them.”
“César Chávez’s contributions to the farmworker movement and to Latino civil rights are a matter of historical record. So is this. Both things are true, and our community deserves leaders who will say so clearly rather than ask survivors to wait while we process our own grief.
“The farmworker movement was never one man. It was built by thousands of workers, organizers, and families who gave their lives to the fight for dignity and justice. Dolores Huerta’s courage and moral clarity built something that outlasts any individual. That legacy belongs to the people.
“I will be joining the broader community conversation about what it means to have César Chávez Drive bear his name, and I am committed to being part of that discussion in the coming weeks.
“The City of Milwaukee’s celebration of César Chávez Day, scheduled for later this month, will not be taking place.
To any survivor who is carrying something heavy today: You are believed, and you are not alone.”
The Cesar E. Chavez Business Improvement District shared a letter on social media Wednesday writing in part quote “We are committed to exploring what accountability looks like in this context, not only in words, but through meaningful action. This includes examining how the corridor tells its story, whose voices are uplifted, and how we can shape a future that reflects the values of dignity, equity belonging and safety for all.”
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