Yesterday, The New York Times and other major newspapers published a profoundly disturbing series of accounts regarding a pattern of sexual abuse and rape by César Chávez, the long-recognized leader of the farmworker movement and champion of civil rights for Latinos.

The accounts from Dolores Huerta, also a leader in the farmworker movement, Debra Rojas and others show a profoundly disturbing pattern of rape, sexual abuse and abuse of power. These women held onto these painful accounts and did not share them for years because they did not want to harm the farmworker movement. 

But yesterday was the day for the truth. It was time to tell their stories and to share this painful past with us. This took more than courage. It took the moral fortitude to do what is right and to share a hard and painful truth so that we would all learn from history.  I stand by these women and support them in their bravery.

 I can only imagine the grief that the farmworker community must be experiencing today. But the farmworker movement was never built by one man. It was a collective action, built on the fearlessness of thousands of workers, organizers and families who put their lives on the line to fight for dignity and justice. That fight continues, and the farmworker legacy belongs to everyone who fought this battle, and who continues to fight, to protect farmworker rights, including Dolores Huerta and the other brave women who spoke out yesterday.

Today, I hold those women in my heart, and for all who have experienced sexual abuse, know that you are not alone. We hear you. To Dolores Huerta and the others who came forward, thank you. Your courage has created a legacy of its own. And to farmworkers not only in California but throughout the nation, we will continue to support you in your fight for human rights and dignity.

 - Mayor of Davis Donna Neville

Press contact: Barbara Archer, barcher@cityofdavis.org, 530-400-3418