Quick Take
Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services is renaming its community impact awards following sexual abuse allegations against labor leader César Chávez.
A Watsonville nonprofit is changing the name of its community impact award following the recent sexual abuse allegations against labor leader César Chávez.
Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services had named its annual impact award after Chávez to honor individuals “who reflect the values of service, integrity and commitment to community” who have inspired the region, according to a social media post.
A New York Times investigation published Wednesday details allegations that Chávez sexually abused and groomed girls as young as 12 years old. Longtime labor leader Dolores Huerta, who worked alongside Chávez fighting for farmworker rights, also told the Times that he sexually assaulted her twice.
“I have never identified myself as a victim, but now I understand that I am a survivor — of violence, of sexual abuse, of domineering men who saw me, and other women, as property, or things to control,” Huerta said in a written statement.
Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services renamed its award — just a week before its ceremony — to the Watsonville Community Impact Awards. The decision reflects the group’s responsibility to ensure the award aligns with the values of the community, according to the written statement.
“While this moment is disappointing, we will continue to turn to our community for strength, guidance and inspiration,” the organization said. “Watsonville’s strength has always come from its people — their resilience, their compassion and commitment to lifting one another up. That is what we will continue to honor and celebrate.”
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