Cesar Chavez School in Yonkers could be renamed amid new sex assault allegations
YONKERS, New York (WABC) -- The Cesar Chavez school in Yonkers could be renamed amid new accusations of sexual abuse aimed at the famed farm union leader.
This week several women came forward with accusations of abuse and even rape.
"We recognize the power of these women who spoke out about the things that occurred to them and so we want to be intentional as we move forward, but yes, you know, all signs lead to us having to do something significant," said Yonkers Schools Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr.
In 2018, the elementary school made history as the first in New York state named in honor of Chavez. The Yonkers school district is 63% Latino, and the name change was seen as a way to build community.
Now the Yonkers' Board of Education is now reviewing its policies regarding the naming of schools.
On Wednesday, labor activist Dolores Huerta, 95, revealed that she was sexually abused by Chavez, leading to the birth of two children, a secret she kept for 60 years.
The allegations surfaced publicly following a New York Times investigation that reported Chavez had groomed and sexually abused women and minors.
Several planned Cesar Chavez Day celebrations across the country have already been canceled.
And now some are calling for Huerta's name to replace Chavez's on the plethora of government buildings, schools, monuments and streets that bear his name across the country.
(The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.)
ALSO READ | Dolores Huerta opens up about Cesar Chavez abuse allegations: 'It was very hard to keep this'
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