Albuquerque City Councilor Joaquín Baca Issues Statement of Support for Victims in Cesar Chavez Abuse Revelations

Albuquerque, NM – Today, Albuquerque City Councilor Joaquín Baca, District 2, issued a formal statement expressing profound regret and a commitment to restorative action following recent reports detailing past abuse by labor leader Cesar Chavez. 

As the representative for the city-center district—encompassing Downtown, Old Town, and the historic Valley—Councilor Baca emphasized that the integrity of Albuquerque’s public spaces must reflect the values of safety and accountability for all residents. 

Councilor Joaquín Baca released the following statement:

“I am shocked and saddened by the revelations about Cesar Chavez. While Cesar did an enormous amount for our communities and workers’ rights, it’s a legacy that now will have to be held to account. No one who commits abuse, no matter what their stature, should avoid accountability. My thoughts are with the victims who have lived with this for so long, including Dolores Huerta. 

I will work with my fellow Councilors and Council staff to partner with our community members in removing his name from public spaces. This will be a painful process, but important moving forward.”