The mural of Cesar Chavez, which once greeted visitors to East Austin, has been erased, leaving an empty wall at the intersection of Cesar Chavez Street and Waller Street. This significant change comes in the wake of serious allegations of sexual assault against Chavez, recently highlighted in a New York Times investigation, which included accusations from civil rights leader Dolores Huerta.
Eric Barth, a co-owner of the building where the mural was located, explained that the decision to paint over the mural was influenced by the allegations. “We felt like it was no longer something that we wanted to be associated with the business,” Barth stated, noting that this decision followed discussions with community and neighborhood leaders.
In 2023, the mural had undergone restoration by Arte Texas, in collaboration with local artists Taner Martinez, Amado Castillo III, and Mark Gonzales, after years of vandalism. The updated mural featured a new quote related to the farm worker movement. Bertha Rendon Ortiz, founder of Arte Texas, reflected on the mural’s significance, stating, “When you enter the East Austin neighborhood, you would see Cesar Chavez’s face, you would see a field, you would see farm workers and you would see the message ‘Si Se Puede’. It was iconic.”
Rendon Ortiz expressed her sorrow regarding the mural’s removal, emphasizing its importance in the community. “He was our hero, he gave us hope,” she lamented.
In light of the allegations, local organizers and city officials swiftly acted, leading to the cancellation of the annual Cesar Chavez parade and celebration that was set for Saturday. Austin City Council members also indicated they would consider renaming Cesar Chavez Street. Additionally, Governor Greg Abbott instructed all Texas state agencies to refrain from observing Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, a directive that the Texas Education Agency echoed by instructing schools to “cancel or otherwise redirect events and activities tied to Chavez.”
Similar reactions have emerged in cities across Texas and the nation. Barth mentioned that the wall will remain bare until the community and building owners can collaboratively decide what will replace the image of Chavez, though he noted that a new mural is not expected to materialize in the near future.
