The University of Texas began to take down its Cesar Chavez statue Thursday morning without notifying the campus community, months after The New York Times reported allegations that the famed civil rights leader sexually abused girls.
The explosive report prompted calls to remove tributes to Chavez on government property, including at Austin City Council, which is considering renaming E Cesar Chavez Street. But others warned decision-makers to be cautious over quickly removing his name and discrediting the labor movement he represented.
On Thursday, workers in hard hats with an orange Longhorn on them and construction vests with the UT logo oversaw the removal.
City Council Member Zo Qadri told UT’s student newspaper The Daily Texan that he would support removing the statue.
Karma Chávez, the chair of UT’s Mexican American and Latino Studies department, said she does not support statues that celebrate a person over a movement, but hopes UT consulted with community leaders before the removal.