The Heritage Committee has approved the removal of and discussed potential replacements of a ceramic piece of artwork on the north side of Goleman Library depicting late labour leader Cesar Chavez following a New York Times investigation alleging sexual abuse.
The investigation was published on March 18, and details allegations from multiple women including Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, who were 13 and 12 at the time of the alleged abuse. On the same day, Dolores Huerta issued a public statement describing experiencing two separate sexual encounters with Chavez which were both nonconsensual.
On March 20, Delta Superintendent/President Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson released a memo acknowledging the allegations and assuring that Delta College would be taking steps removing artwork of Chavez around campus.
“First, we have temporarily covered the ceramic piece on the north exterior wall of Goleman Library. An application has been submitted under Administrative Procedure 6620 to remove the artwork, and a meeting of the Heritage Committee has been scheduled to review that request. Until further action is taken, the piece will remain covered,” said Aguilera Lawrenson.
The scheduled Heritage Committee meeting took place on the afternoon of March 25 in the Delta College Board Room.
A letter written on behalf of the San Joaquin Delta College Teachers Association was read by Vice President of the Board of Trustees Charles Jenning.
“We support the removal of the ceramic art piece depicting Cesar Chavez on the exterior of the Goleman Library. Given the credible and deeply concerning allegations associated with Chavez, its continued presence conflicts with the college’s commitment to being student-centred and supportive of all students, especially survivors of harm,” read the letter. “At this moment, removal is the action most aligned with our institutional values.”
A letter from Trustee Dan Wright, who was absent from the meeting, was also read aloud during the meeting.
“I support the removal of the artwork on the Delta College campus. I had a framed poster of Chavez in my office, which I removed upon hearing about these alleged transgressions. It might come someday to more nuanced recognitions of Chavez’s place in history, but removing memorials in his name is the appropriate action at this time,” said Wright in the letter.
“I urge us to consider the importance of the farmworker movement, with or without acknowledging Chavez’s leadership as it occupies an important role in California and United States history,” said Wright.
All members of the committee voted yes on approving the removal of the artwork, except Classified Senate President Susan Rodriguez, who abstained.
“Due to the urgency of this meeting, we [The Classified Senate] have not had a senate meeting so I have to abstain from voting because I don’t know what my members want. I can not decide for them and I’m not going to make a decision without consulting them,” said Rodriguez.
Following the vote, the motion to approve the removal of the ceramic mural passed.
Mario Moreno, a professor of art at Delta College, told the committee that his Chicano Art students were interested in installing a temporary mural on the plywood that is currently covering the ceramic artwork.
“We would prime it and we would work with that,” said Professor Moreno. “[The students] were ready to go today,” said Moreno.
“We want this thing to be positive, turn something very negative into something positive and beautiful and least harmful for our community,” said Moreno.
Jennings advised Moreno to unofficially move forward with the temporary mural, which Aguilera Lawrenson agreed with.
“I don’t think that requires a motion on behalf of this committee, so I think that’s appropriate because that’s not a permanent fixture,” said Aguilera Lawrenson.
Aguilera Lawrenson has recommended a future committee meeting to discuss a permanent replacement to commemorate the farmworker movement.
