César Chávez Day and other public events honoring the late farmworker labor leader are being changed in multiple states and cities after allegations that Chávez sexually abused women and girls while leading the United Farm Workers, which he died more than three decades ago. The reported fallout has touched both government recognition of the date and community plans that had been scheduled around March 31, Chávez’s birthday.
The moves came as labor rights activist Dolores Huerta said she was among the people who described being abused by Chávez, according to the Associated Press report. The allegations have also prompted changes in how the United Farm Workers plans to observe the day and in how labor federations describe participation.
The AFL-CIO said the allegations came as a shock and that it would not participate or endorse any activities for César Chávez Day. In a statement, federation President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond said, “Our thoughts are first and foremost with any victims of assault and abuse who have described experiencing what no one — especially children — should ever have to survive,” adding, “No legacy can excuse it.”
Several state governments that had previously recognized a day on or near March 31 as César Chávez Day were taking steps this year. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that Texas would not observe the holiday and that he was directing all state agency heads to comply with the change, and he said he would work with legislators to remove the holiday from state law.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs declined to recognize March 31 as César Chavez Day in both of the prior two years and again this year, according to a spokesperson, Liliana Soto. Although it is not a state holiday in Arizona, the AP report said some Arizona municipalities still recognize it, closing schools or government offices.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that he was still “processing” the news and would not commit to making any changes to the state holiday. The AP report said the day is a commemorative observance and is not a paid holiday for federal workers, even after President Barack Obama in 2014 signed a proclamation designating March 31 as César Chavez Day.
Local jurisdictions also moved away from Chavez-branded events. The city of Lansing, Michigan, canceled its Legacy of César Chavez Dinner on March 25. In that announcement, Lansing said, “We remain committed to honoring the Latino community, and the service, dignity, and rights of farmworkers. We will be working on further events and celebrations in the future,” and the featured speaker had been scheduled to be granddaughter Julie Chavez Rodriguez, described in the AP report as campaign manager for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Milwaukee canceled its annual celebration, the report said. In Arizona, the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council postponed an annual César E. Chavez Community Breakfast and said it would reschedule it to focus on contributions and achievements of Hispanic residents in the county.
In Northern California, San Jose announced Wednesday it is canceling its César Chavez celebration, with Mayor Matt Mahan saying the city would identify ways to honor the legacy of the farmworker movement without celebrating “individuals who caused such profound harm to the community.” The AP report also said a group in Austin, Texas, canceled an annual march honoring Chavez set for March 28, and that several Austin city leaders said they support renaming César Chavez Street.
In Denver, the report said the César Chavez Peace and Justice Committee canceled a celebration set for April 11. The AP report also said that, across the country, calls have intensified to change names of public institutions and spaces, including schools and streets, and sites such as the César E. Chávez National Monument in Keene, California.
The calls include discussion of what it would take to change some federal recognition. Dennis Arguelles, director of the National Parks Conservation Association in Southern California, said renaming the national monument would require an act of Congress, while also saying the national park site should continue to honor the farmworker movement and the leaders who fought for dignity, better working conditions and fair wages.
In Texas, the report said the Lubbock Democratic Party called for city leaders to rename César Chavez Drive to honor Dolores Huerta. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee City Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa said discussions would begin soon on what to do about a street named after Chavez.
In Oregon, Portland City councilor Candace Avalos said she would start a petition to rename a city boulevard after Huerta, noting that city rules require 2,500 signatures to initiate a renaming effort. And in New Mexico, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján said in a statement that abuse of any kind, especially against children, is indefensible and a betrayal of the values that Latino leaders have championed for generations; he added, “His name should be removed from landmarks, institutions and honors,” and “We cannot celebrate someone who carried out such disturbing harm.” ___ Associated Press reporters around the United States contributed.