The César Chávez statue in the Fresno State Peace Garden has been removed, according to a campus-wide email sent out by President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval on Friday morning.
“This action reflects the gravity of the information that has come to light,” Jiménez-Sandoval said in the email. “As a university grounded in principles of community, we have a responsibility to respond with moral clarity when faced with allegations of this nature.”
After sexual abuse allegations against Chávez arose on Wednesday, first by the New York Times and later by labor leader Dolores Huerta, the university covered his statue and later announced plans to remove it completely.
In Friday’s email, Jiménez-Sandoval said he remains in close communication with the Peace Garden committee.
“I will be forming a broader working group that includes both campus and community voices,” Jiménez-Sandoval said. “This group will help us take a thoughtful and deliberate approach to honoring our shared history as we move forward, including how we review monuments, namings and tributes.”
Jiménez-Sandoval also said another campus communication email will be sent, which will provide details on supportive measures for the community.
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