LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The City of Lansing has cancelled its Legacy of Cesar Chavez Dinner following a Tuesday statement from the Cesar Chavez Foundation regarding “disturbing” allegations that Chavez “engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors.”
“In light of the recent statement released from the Cesar Chavez Foundation, we have decided to join other communities and cancel this year’s event,” wrote the city in a social media statement. “We remain committed to honoring the Latino community, and the service, dignity, and rights of farmworkers. We will be working on further events and celebrations in the future.”
The event was originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on March 25 at the Doubletree Hotel downtown, and would have featured remarks from Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Chavez’s granddaughter and a former political consultant. The city says all ticket purchasers and sponsors will be contacted directly for the next steps.
Chavez, a Mexican American born in Yuma, Arizona, moved into activism after working as a manual laborer, where he organized in support of migrant workers. He helped found the National Farm Workers Association, which eventually became the United Farm Workers of America. He died in 1993, at the age of 66…