NBOP Statement on Sexual Harassment and Assault in Movement Work
- Belén Lopez-Grady
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
We are deeply grateful to Debra Rojas, Ana Murguia, Dolores Huerta and others who have demonstrated immense courage to tell their stories publicly. Our hearts are on fire with anger to learn about the egregious abuses conducted by Cesar Chavez.
Too many of us are survivors. And this feels all too familiar, nationally and locally.
What we know is that the justice movement is a microcosm of our culture and it too is often driven by misogyny, patriarchy, and white supremacy. This power imbalance is why NBOP’s work will continue to de-center the notion of the “charismatic leader” of the movement and train all leaders and staff with the skills necessary to build power. We are stronger and safer when we create networks of transparency and respect. Our movement is defined not by the man in the leadership role, but by the tenacity of our persistence to uncover what has been silenced, to lift up those that have been pushed down, and to ensure we have restorative community practices in place to address harm and hold people accountable.
NBOP is committed to standing with survivors in solidarity, to training leaders to tell their stories, and to holding ourselves to a higher standard. No one person represents our community or our movement for justice and none of us are obligated to work with predators for the collective good. We will build a stronger movement by pulling misogyny, patriarchy, and white supremacy out by their roots. We know another world is possible and that it takes action and courage by those directly impacted and by our allies to show up when it gets hard, uncomfortable, and to keep demanding justice and equity even when it feels impossible - even when your experience may be different from someone else's. We can do for others what we wish someone would have done for us.
To survivors, your story is your power. You are not alone.
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) National Sexual Assault Hotline for free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español
Call 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Chat at RAINN.org/hotline
Text “HOPE” to 64673
In power and solidarity,
Belén Lopez-Grady
Executive Director
North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP)
This is such a sobering but necessary read. It’s really powerful how the statement acknowledges that "sexual harassment and assault are tools of the state," highlighting how these issues aren't just personal failings but systemic tactics used to undermine collective power. It makes you realise how much internal work is required to truly safeguard our communities. I’ve been thinking about accountability lately, and while discussing these topics with a few mates who are balancing Online Assignment Help in Australia and their own community organising, we talked about how difficult it is to build these structures from scratch. It’s one thing to have a policy, but another to foster a culture where survivors actually feel safe coming forward. I’m curious to…