Your Wednesday evening update on Salem news

Good evening, Salem.

Multiple women have accused civil rights and farmworker labor leader Cesar Chavez of sexually abusing them as girls, according to a New York Times investigation published this morning.

The news is causing labor unions and civic and cultural organizations to rethink memorials and celebration of Chavez, a founder of the union that became the United Farm Workers. Dolores Huerta, who worked with Chavez to found the organization, is among the women accusing him of assault.

Reyna Lopez, executive director of Woodburn-based farmworker union PCUN called the findings “shocking” in a statement and said the union would not be engaging in Cesar Chavez day celebrations.

“Our labor union was founded to end the exploitation of farm workers, immigrants and Latinx community members. Chavez’s actions are against everything we stand for,” Lopez said.

SEIU 503, the Salem-based union representing many state employees, said in a statement Wednesday it supported Huerta and other survivors speaking out.

“Farmworkers rights are a critical piece of the labor movement and while we have made tremendous progress, we have a long way to go, particularly as we fight for immigrant workers. We will continue our strong partnerships with organizations that fight for farmworkers and immigrant communities,” the union said. “However, we will no longer continue any recognition or praise of Chavez in our organization. We plan to remove any celebrations in Chavez’s name and seek to recognize other labor leaders who lift up marginalized workers in those spaces.”

Salem has an elementary school named after Chavez in east Salem. “The news of the allegations is shocking and concerning,” district spokesman Aaron Harada said in a statement. “It is too early to say about possibly renaming our school. Typically, naming a school involves community engagement and board action.”

Here’s some of today’s news. Head to our website anytime for the latest in Salem.

www.salemreporter.com

Bridgeway to open Salem’s first sobering center, giving people a first step into treatment

In early June, Salem’s first sobering center will open at Bridgeway Community Health’s downtown hub for recovery services. The building’s expansion will also add a larger place for people to…

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Salem-Keizer School Board OKs sale of 2 shuttered rural schools

School district leaders plan to sell the closed Fruitland and Lake Labish school properties, as well as an office complex in central Salem. To comment on this story, use the…

www.salemreporter.com

Oregon gas tax opponents file another lawsuit in federal court

Opponents of gas tax hikes are once again suing the state of Oregon over a law that rescheduled the date of a gas tax referendum from November to May. To…

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5 things to do in Salem this week: Cherry Blossom Day, free museum tours, motorcycle show

Events in Salem this week include the return of Cherry Blossom Day at the Oregon Capitol, free tours of the Deepwood Museum house, garden and nature trails and a motorcycle…

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Bridgeway to open Salem’s first sobering center, giving people a first step into treatment

Salem-Keizer School Board OKs sale of 2 shuttered rural schools

Oregon gas tax opponents file another lawsuit in federal court

5 things to do in Salem this week: Cherry Blossom Day, free museum tours, motorcycle show

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