A campaign event on Saturday aimed at rallying support among Latino voters and organized labor for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign sparked criticism from the family of labor leader Cesar Chavez. They accused Mr. Kennedy of exploiting Chavez’s name for political gain.
The event, a “celebration” of Chavez in Los Angeles ahead of his birthday on March 31, which is a recognized holiday in California, was organized by Mr. Kennedy’s campaign. The Kennedy family has a long-standing relationship with the Chavez family dating back to Robert F. Kennedy Sr.
In a letter sent on Friday to the campaign, Fernando Chavez, Chavez’s eldest son, on behalf of the Chavez family, asked Mr. Kennedy to refrain from referencing his father or using his images, threatening legal action.
“It pains us to see your campaign repeatedly using our father’s images to imply an association with the values of Cesar Chavez,” the letter stated. “We believe this association is false and misleading.”
Mr. Kennedy responded by stating that the event was meant to honor Cesar Chavez and his friendship with his family, emphasizing Chavez’s impact on the country. He mentioned that he had tried to contact members of the Chavez family before the event but received no response until the letter was brought to his attention by reporters.
Robert F. Kennedy Sr. forged a bond with Chavez in the 1960s, becoming the first national political figure to support Chavez and the farm labor movement. In 1980, during Ted Kennedy’s presidential campaign, the Chavez family collaborated with the Kennedy family on Latino voter mobilization.
The Chavez family expressed gratitude for the support received from the Kennedy family over the years but criticized Mr. Kennedy for using sacred moments for political purposes. Fernando Chavez explained that their decision to distance themselves from Mr. Kennedy was influenced by concerns that his candidacy could split Democratic votes and his stance on the Covid vaccine.
Mr. Kennedy blamed the conflict on Democratic Party leadership and expressed disappointment in the division caused by the situation. The Chavez family has endorsed President Biden’s re-election, with Julie Chavez Rodriguez, a granddaughter of Chavez, serving as his campaign manager.
During the event, held at Los Angeles’s Union Station, Mr. Kennedy highlighted Chavez’s legacy and their shared work on environmental issues. He also discussed his views on border control and migrant worker visas.
Gautham Nagesh contributed to this report.
