States Rethink Cesar Chavez Memorials Amid Abuse Allegations

Calls grow to rename holidays, streets, and other honors for the late labor leader following reports of sexual abuse.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:19am

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Several states are moving to rename streets, change state holidays, and remove other memorials honoring Cesar Chavez in the wake of allegations that the late labor rights icon sexually abused women and girls while leading the United Farm Workers union. The stunning allegations against Chavez, who died in 1993, have drawn immediate calls to alter the many tributes to him across the country.

Why it matters

Chavez was a revered figure in the labor and civil rights movements, but the new allegations against him have forced a reckoning over how to properly honor his legacy and the farmworkers he fought for, while also acknowledging and condemning the reported abuse. This is a complex issue that pits Chavez's important work against the serious harm he is now accused of causing.

The details

Officials in several states, including Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin, are taking steps to rename or remove Chavez-related memorials in their communities. This includes renaming state holidays honoring Chavez, as well as streets, buildings, and other landmarks that bear his name. The moves come after a New York Times investigation found that Chavez groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the farmworker movement he led.

  • On March 31, several states recognize a holiday honoring Cesar Chavez's birthday.
  • In 2014, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day, though it is not a paid federal holiday.

The players

Cesar Chavez

A late labor rights icon who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers in the 1960s. He has been the subject of many state and local memorials, but is now accused of sexually abusing women and girls.

Dolores Huerta

A labor rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Chavez, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. Huerta has revealed that she was a victim of Chavez's abuse when she was in her 30s.

Katie Hobbs

The Democratic governor of Arizona who will not recognize March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day this year.

Kate Gallego

The mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, who wants the city to rename the March 31 holiday to Farmworkers Day.

Lena Gonzalez

The chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, who said lawmakers will seek to rename the state holiday honoring Chavez.

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What they’re saying

“We have a duty to honor the dignity of the survivors and move forward in a way that reflects our values.”

— Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix

“Abuse of any kind, especially against children, is indefensible and a betrayal of the values that Latino leaders have championed for generations.”

— Ben Ray Luján, U.S. Senator from New Mexico

“I will be joining the broader community conversation about what it means to have Cesar Chavez Drive bear his name, and I am committed to being part of that discussion in the coming weeks.”

— JoCasta Zamarripa, Milwaukee City Alderperson

What’s next

In the upcoming legislative session, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he will work with lawmakers to remove the Cesar Chavez Day holiday from state law.

The takeaway

The allegations against Chavez have forced a reckoning over how to properly honor his legacy as a champion for farmworkers, while also acknowledging and condemning the reported abuse. This complex issue highlights the challenges of reconciling a person's important accomplishments with credible accusations of serious wrongdoing.