United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, 95, shared publicly for the first time<\/a> in the report that she was sexually assaulted by him on two separate occasions during that time period.\u00a0<\/p>\n Communities across the state<\/a> and country \u2014 including in Fort Worth \u2014 are now grappling with how to reconsider Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s legacy<\/a>. He died at 66 in 1993. C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez Day celebrations honoring his March 31 birthday have been canceled<\/a> as the United Farm Workers union distances itself from any related events.<\/p>\n For more than 25 years, the C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez & Dolores Huerta Committee of Tarrant County has hosted annual marches, birthday celebrations and advocated for citywide recognitions<\/a> to honor the labor leader. The organization\u2019s president Maricela Jimenez did not respond to the Report\u2019s requests for comment asking how the group is moving forward.<\/p>\n The committee\u2019s permits for a \u2018No Kings, No Ice\u2019 protest on March 28 that was to also honor Ch\u00e1vez and Huerta had not been canceled as of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, a spokesperson for the city told KERA News<\/a>. Social media posts promoting the rally<\/a> remained on the group\u2019s pages as of 6 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ch\u00e1vez visited Fort Worth<\/a> in September 1985 as the United Farm Workers pushed for fair wages<\/a>. The civil rights leader spoke at a fundraiser in the Mistletoe Heights neighborhood about the struggle of farmworkers, particularly those affected by pesticide spraying and a lack of health care.\u00a0<\/p>\n A spokesperson with Fort Worth ISD did not immediately respond to questions about whether Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Diamond Hill will retain its name. The district is closed for spring break. FWISD students are off March 23, which had previously been noted as Ch\u00e1vez Huerta Day<\/a>, while Monday is a professional development day for staff.<\/p>\n Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Flores said he only recently became aware of the allegations, so it is \u201cessential that all relevant facts and personal testimonies\u201d be carefully considered. The Ch\u00e1vez family should be given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Flores has championed initiatives recognizing Ch\u00e1vez, which included honorarily renaming a section of N.W. 28th Street after Ch\u00e1vez <\/a>in the Northside. Last year, he proposed making C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez Day a paid holiday for city employees<\/a>, but the plan didn\u2019t move forward.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that accountability is necessary, regardless of a person\u2019s stature or legacy,\u201d Flores said in a statement. \u201cI will continue to monitor this matter with close attention.\u201d<\/p>\n The Times reported that the Ch\u00e1vez family said they were \u201cnot in a position to judge\u201d the allegations<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jeanette Martinez, the first Latina to serve on Fort Worth City Council, said she stands with Huerta, the United Farm Workers and all survivors in \u201cdemanding truth, accountability and protection for women and children in every community.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe must honor history and the broader movement for justice and workers\u2019 rights while also acknowledging that no legacy is beyond accountability,\u201d she said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gov. Greg Abbott, who is campaigning for reelection in November, said in a statement Wednesday<\/a> that he directed state agency heads to stop observing the March 31 holiday in Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n Tarrant County Judge Tim O\u2019Hare said in a statement<\/a> that he is exploring legal options to immediately stop the county from recognizing the holiday and would call a special meeting, if necessary, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFrom targeting minors to forcing himself on his co-founder Dolores Huerta, impregnating her twice, these claims are horrific,\u201d he said of the allegations. \u201cWe should all pray for the victims involved.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n O\u2019Hare, who is campaigning for reelection, plans to propose replacing C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez Day with Veterans Day for the county\u2019s 2027 paid holiday schedule. The commissioners court considered swapping the two holidays<\/a> in 2024, but the plan didn\u2019t move forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.\u00a0<\/p>\n David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Fort Worth Report\u2019s arts and culture coverage is supported in part by the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation and the Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. 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C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez on the picket line with United Farm Workers union strikers at grocery store on North Main and 33rd streets in Fort Worth circa 1969. (Courtesy | UTA Libraries Digital Gallery)<\/p>\n