California leaders mum on $1B high-speed rail detour aimed at preserving disgraced labor leader's memorial
California may spend nearly $1 billion on a high-speed rail detour to avoid disturbing a monument to Cesar Chavez, despite widespread condemnation of the labor leader following sexual abuse allegations. State leaders have not publicly addressed whether the costly detour is still justified given the controversy. The César Chavez Foundation, which supported the detour, has since distanced itself from honoring Chavez.
- ▪The California High-Speed Rail Authority estimated in 2020 that the detour would cost close to $1 billion when adjusted for inflation.
- ▪After allegations emerged that Cesar Chavez sexually abused minors and adults, institutions across California began removing honors and memorials dedicated to him.
- ▪The United Farm Workers and the César Chavez Foundation canceled annual events honoring Chavez, calling the allegations disturbing and profoundly shocking.
- ▪The detour, known as the 'Refined César E. Chávez National Monument Design Option,' shifts the rail line three-quarters of a mile from the monument's boundary.
- ▪The monument is a 187-acre National Park Service site where Chavez and his wife are buried and where he founded his labor movement.
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California California leaders mum on $1B high-speed rail detour aimed at preserving disgraced labor leader's memorial 'This is a billion dollars we don’t have. There are a lot of other things we need': California High-Speed Rail Authority board director By Alec Schemmel Fox News Published May 4, 2026 7:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Gavin Newsom addresses NYT's Cesar Chavez allegations report California Gov. Gavin Newsom answered a question on Wednesday about a New York Times report detailing several sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez.
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