California lawmakers said Thursday they planned to change the name of “César Chavez Day” to “Farmworkers Day” after sexual abuse allegations against the late civil rights leader arose earlier this week.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Chavez had groomed and sexually abused young girls within the labor rights movement while he served as leader of the United Farm Workers Union. One of those women was Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the union with Chavez in 1962.
Huerta came forward this week with allegations that she was victimized by Chavez in her 30s.
She said she had two sexual encounters with Chavez, including one where she was “manipulated and pressured” and a second where she was “forced against my will.” Both encounters led to secret pregnancies, she said, with children who were raised by other families.
Huerta said she stayed silent for more than 60 years out of concern that her allegations could hurt the farmworker movement, and because she was not aware Chavez had hurt other women.
Before the allegations came to light, Chavez was known as a prolific voice within the farmworker rights movements, having organized several hunger strikes and a grape boycott. His efforts helped lead to better wages and working conditions for farmworkers. Chavez died in 1993.
In 2014, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31 César Chavez Day. Then-President Joe Biden later had a bronze bust of Chavez installed in the Oval Office during his own time in the White House.
In the wake of the allegations, states and cities are scrambling to cancel or rename events in honor of Chavez ahead of his birthday on March 31.
Several states besides California also recognize Chavez with an annual holiday, including Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Utah and Washington.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Wednesday that the Lone Star state would not observe the holiday this year, and that he would work with state legislators to remove the holiday from state law.
The City of Los Angeles plans to axe its day in honor of Chavez in favor of recognizing a “Farm Workers Day” on the last Monday in March.
Several other cities, including Lansing, Milwaukee and San Jose, have canceled their annual celebrations.
Lansing’s granddaughter, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, was previously scheduled to speak at Lansing’s annual dinner.
“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,” the city said.
The AFL-CIO similarly said the federation of unions would not participate or endorse any activities for César Chavez Day.
“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,” AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler and secretary-treasurer Fred Redmond said in a statement. “No legacy can excuse it.”
The organization said the rights farmworkers have won “cannot be erased by the horrific actions of one person.”