Bob Mackin
South of the 49th parallel, shocked cities, counties and states have reacted to the New York Times’ March 18 bombshell investigation of Cesar Chavez by erasing his name and likeness from public buildings, street signs and a commemorative holiday.
The late United Farm Workers of America co-founder is accused of sexually assaulting union co-founder Dolores Huerta in 1966, sexually abusing two underage girls in the 1970s and fathering at least four children outside his marriage.
A prominent British Columbian who described Chavez as his inspiration, mentor, friend and “one of North America’s greatest humanitarians” is the NDP’s Raj Chouhan.
Cesar Chavez (left) and Raj Chouhan. (Chouhan/X)
The Canadian Farmworkers Union founding president has been elected six times for the NDP since 2005. In 2020, Chouhan became the Speaker of B.C.’s Legislative Assembly.
Almost 20 years ago in the B.C. Legislature, Chouhan paid tribute to Chavez on the eve of what would have been his 79th birthday. He lauded Chavez for his courage to stand-up for overworked and underpaid men, women and children in farm fields during the 1960s and 1970s.
“They lived in absolute poverty in cabins with dirt floors and no access to health care, schools or even basic toilet facilities,” Chouhan said on March 30, 2006.
“Working and living conditions for farmworkers were no different in British Columbia. Cesar Chavez inspired me to organize these workers in British Columbia, and he was there with me when we first formed the Canadian Farmworkers Union on April 6, 1980. We marched together in the fields of British Columbia and California to advocate for farmworkers’ rights.”
What is Chouhan’s reaction to the New York Times investigation?
Chouhan has yet to respond to requests for an interview. theBreaker.news would be glad to follow-up, should Chouhan make himself available.
For now, click and watch Chouhan’s 2006 speech honouring Chavez.
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