Opinion

LIZ PEEK: Progressive hypocrisy revealed by Cesar Chavez sexual abuse revelations

New York Times revelations about the farmworkers union leader highlight a familiar Democratic playbook

By Liz Peek Fox News

Published April 7, 2026 5:00am EDT

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Gavin Newsom addresses NYT's Cesar Chavez allegations report

California Gov. Gavin Newsom answered a question on Wednesday about a New York Times report detailing several sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez.

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Jeffrey Epstein is not the only sexual predator who was embraced by Democrats. Consider the case of farmworkers union leader Cesar Chavez.

All over the U.S., civil rights organizations are tearing down statues of Chavez. Celebrations of the late labor leader are being canceled, and schools that honored him are being renamed.

The speed with which progressive groups have tossed the Latino icon overboard is stunning and suggests this: they knew. 

DEMS FACE RECKONING AFTER PUTTING DECEASED LABOR LEADER ON PEDESTAL AS SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS EMERGE

They knew about the horrific sexual abuse of girls as young as 13, reported in recent weeks by The New York Times. They knew that Chavez raped and impregnated a 15-year-old girl, who in later years attempted suicide, and routinely sexually abused other young women. But the left kept silent. Political opportunism trumped protecting women from a sexual predator.

A worker covers a mural by Emigdio Vasquez depicting Cesar Chavez, at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, Calif., Thursday, March 19, 2026. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

The Times report has not led to lengthy investigations or hearings pondering the "allegations." There has been no push-back from Chavez’ family or friends – not even from the United Farm Workers union, which he founded. Indeed, the Times acknowledges, "A handful of Mr. Chavez’s relatives and former U.F.W. leaders have been aware for years about various allegations of sexual misconduct, but there is no evidence that they made efforts........

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