SF State Students Seek To Rename Center In Wake Of Cesar Chavez Accusations

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Student officials at San Francisco State University are seeking to change the institution's center named after César Chávez following sexual abuse accusations against the late labor leader.

The SFSU Associated Students, a student-run government and non-profit organization, said it would be developing a course of action with community members to rename the Student Center Building and mural honoring the embattled labor leader.

RELATED: CA Lawmakers Aim To Rename César Chavez Day Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations

"In order to ensure alignment with our values, Associated Students will be taking action to ensure that we are not contributing to trauma experienced by survivors," SFSU Associated Students said in a statement on Wednesday. "We remain committed to community empowerment and solidarity with immigrant communities."

The announcement comes in the wake of accusations against Chávez, once heralded as a Mexican icon.

Allegations of sexual assault, including the abuse of multiple minors, threatened to unravel the legacy of California's labor rights icon Cesar Chavez on Wednesday. Among his accusers is civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, his one-time right hand in the movement and an icon in her own right.

A New York Times investigation into the late labor leader brought to light intimate details and allegations of abuse conducted behind closed doors but long considered an open secret.

Following unspecified reports of abuse on Tuesday, the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) announced it would suspend all of its events for the annual Cesar Chavez Day. On Wednesday, the Times released its report naming women who claim Chavez sexually abused them when they were as young as 13-years-old. Huerta issued her own statement, accusing Chavez of twice impregnating her, once by force and once under duress.

Organizations that were getting ready to celebrate the annual Cesar Chavez Day at the end of March were sent scrambling following the accusations. Several events have already been canceled.

The César Chávez Foundation released a statement claiming they were "deeply shocked and saddened" about the accusations.

"We ask for our community’s patience as we learn more," the organization, which impacts the lives of millions of Latinos and working-class families in the United States, said in a statement. "Throughout this process, our organization and our partners in the movement will continue our work together to protect and uplift the families and communities that we serve."

Cities have begun having conversations about renaming buildings, parks or streets named after Chávez.

On Thursday, Los Angeles Mayor Bass signed a proclamation renaming César Chávez Day to "Farm Workers Day.

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Local Editor Corey Washington contributed to this report.