ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota House voted 129-0 to end the state’s annual Cesar Chavez Day. The action was in response to recent allegations of predatory sexual conduct. Chavez, who died in 1993, had been memorized in Minnesota law in 2014 for crusading against Big Agriculture’s labor abuses of immigrant farm workers. The sexual allegations emerged only last week. The bill next goes to the State Senate.
Verbatim
María Isa Pérez-Vega, Democrat from St. Paul, chief House sponsor of the repeal legislation, said a way needs to be found to honor the movement Chavez led with absolutely no shout-out for carnal cavorting: “How can we effectively separate individuals from the movement? We must address the allegations and afford credibility and support to the victims, to the survivors.”