LCN statement on César Chávez

We are deeply troubled and pained by the recent revelations of sexual assault and abuse against women and minors by César Chávez. His actions stand in direct contradiction to the values of dignity, justice, and collective liberation that guide our work.

We stand with all survivors, both those who have come forward and those who have not. We honor their courage and believe in centering their safety, healing, and dignity. 

This moment calls us to reflect on our shared responsibility to actively dismantle the structures in which harm is normalized and survivors are silenced. Too often, organizing spaces have mirrored the same power imbalances and oppression we seek to challenge. We must confront this with honesty and accountability. 

As LCN, we commit to fostering organizing and training spaces where harm and violence are prevented and addressed, as expressed in our Anti-Oppression Statement. We commit to interrogating and challenging the power dynamics within our community, and to creating a culture rooted in collective accountability and transformative justice where everyone feels safe, heard, and supported in responding to harm, especially when it is caused by those in positions of authority or power.

We also recognize that a movement is never the work of one person, but is built and sustained by the often-unrecognized labor, courage, and sacrifices of countless people, especially of women and those on the margins. The power and legacy of the movement belong to the many who shaped it, and they define the cause’s lasting impact. We will continue working with our community to reflect our values of dignity, justice, and collective liberation in our practice.