For Alianza Americas, a network of more than 55 organizations led by immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, the New York Times’ investigation into César Chávez and Dolores Huerta’s testimony brings us much pain and outrage.
As organizations led by migrants, we recognize the vital role of the farmworker movement and the challenges its leaders and members faced. The conviction with which they acted and the importance of their struggle to draw attention to the demands of those who work in the agricultural fields in the United States represent significant contributions to the labor movement. It is important to remember that their organizing work was collective; many others, both adults and young people, were part of that crucial fight to defend rights.
The allegations of sexual violence involving César Chávez, including those presented by Dolores Huerta and other women, are extremely serious and deeply troubling. It pains us that women and young people who have suffered sexual assault have remained silent, whether out of fear or a sense of commitment to the cause. They reflect broader patterns in which women have been expected to endure harm and silence under unequal power structures that suppress their voice and leadership. Such allegations are not isolated; they point to entrenched norms, machismo, and power imbalances that continue to shape our societies and movements, placing girls and women in vulnerable positions. Addressing these realities requires sustained and intentional action at every level.
At Alianza Americas, we recognize that this work is permanent: we incorporate educational components and gender-sensitive leadership training, and we advocate against gender-based violence in our countries of origin and in the United States. We reaffirm our commitment to building safe, equitable, and inclusive organizations and societies. We commit to providing spaces for dialogue among our membership, including opportunities for healing, and to equipping our member organizations with the tools and resources needed to strengthen internal policies, training, and processes to prevent violence, support survivors, and ensure they can report safely and with dignity.
Our societies must move toward gender equality—including the eradication of sexual violence—and work to foster healthy and constructive power dynamics. We call on all organizations and leaders to take concrete steps: adopt and strengthen safeguarding policies; establish clear, survivor-centered reporting mechanisms; invest in ongoing political education on gender justice; and ensure leadership accountability at all levels. We stand with survivors of gender-based violence who dare to speak out. This is a painful moment when we must act to ensure these acts are never repeated.
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Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We advocate for social justice, equity, and human rights in the Americas.
