--- description: Across the country, cities and states are grappling with the allegations of sexual abuse against the workers’ rights champion. title: César Chávez Commemorations Reassessed After Allegations image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf42fac47a764741e/69bbc8155ac6311e18dd4311/cesar-chavez.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [U.S.](/section/us/) ## U.S. Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Civil Rights](/tag/civil-rights/) ## Civil Rights Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Cities and States Reassess César Chávez Commemorations in Light of Allegations by [Chad de Guzman](/author/chad-de-guzman/) and [Miranda Jeyaretnam](/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/) Mar 19, 2026 10:05 AM CUT  A mural of labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez appears at the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Park in San Fernando, Calif., on March 18, 2026. A mural of labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez appears at the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Park in San Fernando, Calif., on March 18, 2026.Justin Sullivan—Getty Images by [Chad de Guzman](/author/chad-de-guzman/) and [Miranda Jeyaretnam](/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/) Mar 19, 2026 10:05 AM CUT States are reevaluating the legacy of César Chávez, one of the most celebrated Latino labor rights activists in U.S. history, following a bombshell investigation by the [_New York Times_](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html "undefined") published Wednesday that found he had groomed and sexually abused multiple girls who were part of the movement. Among Chávez’s alleged victims was fellow labor rights activist [Dolores Huerta](https://time.com/article/2026/03/18/dolores-huerta-cesar-chavez-allegations-united-farm-workers/ "undefined"), who worked alongside Chávez to fight for farmworkers’ rights for decades. Huerta, in a statement, [shared her story](https://medium.com/@dolores%5Fhuerta/march-18-2026-e74c20430555?postPublishedType=initial "undefined") of Chávez’s alleged abuse in light of the _Times_’reporting. The César Chávez Foundation [said](https://chavezfoundation.org/2026/03/17/statement-from-cesar-chavez-foundation/ "undefined") that it is “deeply shocked and saddened” by the “disturbing allegations” and that it is working to support victims. Chávez died in 1993. The United Farm Workers Foundation, which Chávez co-founded with Huerta, [announced](https://ufwfoundation.org/statement-from-the-ufw-foundation/ "undefined") it would not take part in any events named after him. Similar reckonings are happening across states. Some states like California, Minnesota, and Washington, have commemorated or recognized a day on or near Chávez’s March 31 birthday as an annual holiday. And in 2011, then-President Barack Obama [proclaimed March 31](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/30/presidential-proclamation-cesar-chavez-day "undefined") as César Chávez Day. Here are the ways in which states and local governments are making changes to commemorations in light of the allegations against Chávez. ## Arizona A spokesperson for Gov. Katie Hobbs [said](https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/arizona-will-not-recognize-cesar-chavez-day-amid-allegations/75-d015b877-b2da-4e43-9340-3de5a63d210b "undefined") on Tuesday that her office “is deeply concerned” by the allegations against Chávez and that she “takes allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior against women and minors very seriously.” “The Governor’s Office has decided to not recognize César Chávez Day this year,” the spokesperson added. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected.” Chávez has deep ties to the state: he was born in Yuma, Ariz. in 1927; and in 1972, he held a 24-day fast at the Santa Rita Hall in downtown Phoenix to protest state legislation restricting farm workers' rights. Local jurisdictions in Arizona are also adjusting scheduled events amid the allegations. The city of El Mirage [announced](https://www.elmirageaz.gov/?contentId=e0958459-c24d-42b6-9cbf-5d72b5f25d44 "undefined") that it will rename its April 4 César E. Chávez Day of Service event as the “Inaugural El Mirage Day of Service.” The[_Tucson Sentinel_ ](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/031626%5Fchavez%5Frally/cesar-chavez-march-tucson-canceled-over-allegations-sexual-abuse-minors/ "undefined")reported that Tucson’s city council struck out a proclamation from its Tuesday agenda to declare March 31 as César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Day. Also in Tucson, a group called the Arizona César Chávez + Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition [announced](https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaCesarChavezCoalition/posts/1245365567768283 "undefined") that it will rename its scheduled rally on March 21 to the Comunidad y Unity Labor Fair. ## California Gov. Gavin Newsom [says](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70L0meo7Tbw "undefined") he is still “processing” the allegations against Chávez. “It’s been hard to absorb this,” Newsom says, citing his and his wife’s closeness to Huerta. While Newsom has not made any decision regarding the state holiday—California was the first state in the country to recognize César Chávez Day as a legal paid holiday more than 25 years ago—localities are making their own arrangements. San José Mayor Matt Mahan [announced](https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7215/4699 "undefined") they have cancelled city events associated with the state holiday “and will identify ways to honor the legacy of the farmworker movement without celebrating individuals who caused such profound harm to the community.” Organizers of what was once called San Francisco’s César Chávez Day Parade told the[_San Francisco Chronicle_](https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/cesar-chavez-name-streets-parks-rename-22083714.php "undefined") that their April 11 event has been renamed to the Dolores Huerta Parade and Festival. State assemblymember Alexandra Macedo has [proposed](https://x.com/AsmwomanMacedo/status/2034307379597398099 "undefined") renaming March 31 from César Chávez Day to Farmworker Day. ## Colorado In Denver, a scheduled march organized by the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver was cancelled. The organization posted [a statement on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CCPJCDenver/posts/959813313059012 "undefined") saying it cancelled the event after reviewing the allegations against Chávez. “The Committee unequivocally supports the abused women and children and their survivors,” the statement said. ## Michigan The city of Lansing, Mich., has canceled a dinner honoring Chávez that was scheduled for March 25\. Ticket holders and sponsors will be contacted directly regarding reimbursement, the city government said in a [post](https://www.facebook.com/CityofLansingMi/posts/1375913284565188 "undefined") on Facebook. “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 post said. Michigan State University also said it would rename an event slated for March 25 that originally honored Chávez, student newspaper[_State News_](https://statenews.com/article/2026/03/msu-renames-event-honoring-csar-chvez-following-sexual-abuse-allegations "undefined") reported. The event was renamed from the “César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Commemorative Celebration” to “Farmworker Appreciation Commemorative Celebration.” Leaders in Grand Rapids, Mich., are also [weighing](https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/grand-rapids-leaders-weigh-renaming-cesar-chavez-ave-elementary-school-amid-ny-times-report/69-f7dbc059-7050-4472-a577-5b17b6aaa82d "undefined") renaming César Chávez Ave., while Grand Rapids Public Schools said the district will “evaluate the next steps in alignment with our district’s values” in considering renaming an elementary school named after Chávez. ## Nevada Officials from Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office told the [_Nevada Independent_](https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/nevada-cesar-chavez-day-celebration-altered-amid-abuse-allegations-against-labor-leader?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com "undefined") that they were aware of allegations leveled against Chávez and are currently reviewing their options. Under state law [passed](https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/assembly-passes-cesar-chavez-day-bill/ "undefined") in 2009, the governor [must proclaim](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/75th2009/Bills/AB/AB301.pdf "undefined") March 31 as César Chávez Day “to bring to the attention of Nevada residents the important contributions César Chávez made to the State of Nevada and the United States.” In Northern Nevada, the Central Labor Council said Tuesday that, to stand in solidarity with the UFW’s response to the allegations against Chávez, it will rename its annual César Chávez Celebration to the Northern Nevada Member Assistance Program Solidarity Celebration Dinner, according to [MyNews 4](https://mynews4.com/news/local/northern-nevada-labor-council-confirms-rename-of-cesar-chavez-celebration-dinner "undefined"). ## Oregon Across Oregon, several buildings and a street are named in honor of Chávez. In 2009, Portland City Council voted unanimously to rename 39th Avenue to César E. Chávez Boulevard. Schools in Portland, Eugene, and Salem also bear Chávez’s name, as does a cultural center at Oregon State University. The state also commemorates March 31 as César Chávez Day. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson told [Oregon Public Broadcasting](https://www.opb.org/article/2026/03/18/portland-oregon-cesar-chavez-boulevard-allegations/ "undefined") on Wednesday morning that he was not aware of the _Times_ investigation. The Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Zajonc added that “it’s a chance to have a community conversation.” A spokesperson for Oregon State University, Rob Odom, told OPB that “the university is aware of the reported abuse allegations and is in the process of gathering information and perspectives.” Other schools also told OPB that they will consider a possible name change based on discussions with school board members and community members. City Councilor Candace Avalos, who represents East Portland, posted on [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/candaceavalos.bsky.social/post/3mhdy62wmnc2b "undefined") that she is “looking into the process and talking with community leaders about renaming César Chávez blvd to Dolores Huerta blvd.” One of the first steps is a petition with 2,500 signatures, per city code, Avalos said. Other community leaders have begun taking steps to remove honors of Chávez. Reyna Lopez, the executive director of Oregon’s largest farmworker union, Pineros Y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, said in a statement to media outlets that the union will not participate in César Chávez Day celebrations. SEIU 503, a public employees union representing more than 70,000 workers in the state, said in a [statement](https://seiu503.org/member%5Fnews/union-statement-on-cesar-chavez/ "undefined") that the state union “will no longer continue any recognition or praise of Chávez” and plans “to remove any celebrations in Chávez’s name and seek to recognize other labor leaders who lift up marginalized workers in those spaces.” ## Texas Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state will not honor César Chávez Day. “I am directing all Texas state agency heads to comply. In the upcoming legislative session, I will work with Texas lawmakers to remove César Chávez Day from state law altogether,” Abbott, a Republican, [posted](https://x.com/GregAbbott%5FTX/status/2034366908837884197 "undefined") on X. “Reports of the horrific and widely acknowledged sexual assault allegations against César Chávez rightfully dismantle the myth of this progressive hero and undermine the narrative that elevated Chávez as a figure worthy of official state celebration.” The Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin, Texas, also canceled an annual march honoring Chávez that was set for March 28\. The group instead [called on](https://x.com/HABLAATX/status/2034304776113193354 "undefined") supporters to take part in immigration justice events and service activities. Several Austin officials [called](https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/cesar-chavez-street-renaming-austin-texas/269-70211739-0eee-4ab4-807a-d99768ae67d2 "undefined") for the city’s César Chávez Street to be renamed. After community organization El Concilio Mexican-American Land Owners de East Austin urged the renaming of the street, City Council Members José Velásquez, Vanessa Fuentes and José “Chito” Vela, along with County Attorney Delia Garza, issued a [joint statement](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWCUrsajmnl/ "undefined") supporting a name change. “The center of our city and the heart of East Austin should reflect our commitment to justice,” the statement said. “We support the renaming of César Chávez Street and will begin the discussion with the community at the forefront.” ## Washington Washington, which has recognized March 31 as César Chávez Day since 2018, will not observe the day this year, Brionna Aho, a spokesperson for Gov. Bob Ferguson, told Seattle news station [KUOW](https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-governor-says-state-won-t-celebrate-cesar-chavez-following-sexual-abuse-allegations?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com "undefined"). Aho said the governor looks forward to celebrating April 10, Huerta’s birthday, as Dolores Huerta Day, which it has done [since 2019](https://www.heraldnet.com/2019/03/18/legislature-sets-april-10-as-dolores-huerta-day/ "undefined"). ## Wisconsin Wisconsin’s city of Milwaukee has [canceled](https://www.wisn.com/article/milwaukee-cancels-cesar-chavez-day-celebrations-amid-new-allegations/70785416 "undefined") its celebrations in light of the allegations. Several Milwaukee leaders have responded to the allegations in [statements to media outlets](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/neighborhoods/2026/03/18/milwaukee-leaders-react-to-allegations-against-cesar-chavez/89214243007/ "undefined"). Milwaukee Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa [said](https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/milwaukee-cancels-celebration-after-cesar-chavez-sexual-assault-allegations-emerge/ "undefined") the accounts of survivors are “devastating,” while Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said that the victims “deserve our compassion” and that he would discuss with elected officials and community members the next steps. National nonprofit Forward Latino, which is based in Franklin, Wis., also [called for](https://www.wxow.com/news/national/forward-latino-issues-statement-on-allegations-of-sexual-misconduct-by-cesar-chavez/article%5Fd279065d-071b-50d3-98bd-8b8929048e2b.html "undefined") “compassion for those who have long carried the weight of this trauma in silence” and for the “deeply troubling allegations” against Chávez to be taken seriously. Juan Miguel Martinez, a Milwaukee county supervisor and labor organizer, called for South César E. Chávez Drive to be renamed “Dolores Huerta Way.” “Too often, men of status abuse their power and use it for heinous acts towards women, and especially toward defenseless children,” Martinez said in a [post](https://www.facebook.com/martinezforthe12th/posts/967351185815131 "undefined") on Facebook. Zamarripa said the community will weigh changing the name of the drive. “The farmworker movement was never one man. It was built by thousands of workers, organizers, and families who gave their lives to the fight for dignity and justice. Dolores Huerta’s courage and moral clarity built something that outlasts any individual,” Zamarripa said. “That legacy belongs to the people.” César Chávez Commemorations Reassessed After Allegations ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/19/cesar-chavez-day-labor-leader-sexual-abuse-allegations-commemorations/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/19/cesar-chavez-day-labor-leader-sexual-abuse-allegations-commemorations/"},"headline":"Cities and States Reassess César Chávez Commemorations in Light of Allegations","datePublished":"2026-03-19T10:05:02.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-01T07:36:00.456Z","description":"Across the country, cities and states are grappling with the allegations of sexual abuse against the workers’ rights champion.","url":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/19/cesar-chavez-day-labor-leader-sexual-abuse-allegations-commemorations/","keywords":["Civil Rights","News Desk","overnight"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf42fac47a764741e/69bbc8155ac6311e18dd4311/cesar-chavez.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Chad de Guzman","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/chad-de-guzman/"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Miranda Jeyaretnam","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/miranda-jeyaretnam/"}],"articleSection":"U.S.","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf42fac47a764741e/69bbc8155ac6311e18dd4311/cesar-chavez.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"cesar-chavez.jpg","caption":"","creditText":"Justin Sullivan—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/us/","name":"U.S."}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/civil-rights/","name":"Civil Rights"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/19/cesar-chavez-day-labor-leader-sexual-abuse-allegations-commemorations/","name":"Cities and States Reassess César Chávez Commemorations in Light of Allegations"}}]}] ```