- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
California Renames César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day
State moves to reconcile labor leader's legacy amid sexual abuse claims
Mar. 27, 2026 at 8:21am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
California has passed legislation to rename the state holiday of César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day, following accusations of sexual abuse against the late labor leader. The change comes after claims surfaced that Chávez had sexually abused girls and women during his time building the farmworker labor rights movement in the 1960s.
Why it matters
The swift effort to erase Chávez's name from public life in California is a significant shift, as his status had only grown more iconic since his death in 1993. The move reflects a broader reckoning with the complex legacies of historical figures, as communities grapple with balancing their achievements with allegations of misconduct.
The details
The California state Senate approved the legislation to rename the holiday with bipartisan support. The change is part of the state's effort to reconcile Chávez's legacy with the sexual abuse claims made public last week, including by civil rights leader Dolores Huerta who co-led the movement that became the United Farm Workers. Cities across California have already taken steps to remove Chávez's name from public landmarks.
- The legislation was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom on March 27, 2026.
- The new Farmworkers Day holiday will be observed on March 31, 2026.
The players
Gavin Newsom
The Democratic governor of California who signed the bill to rename César Chávez Day.
Dolores Huerta
The civil rights leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers movement alongside Chávez and has accused him of sexual abuse.
Suzette Valladares
A Republican California state senator who said the movement brought together workers from different backgrounds and that this is about honoring generations of sacrifice, resilience and hope.
Monique Limón
The California state Senate President Pro Tempore who said honoring farmworkers is especially important in the face of federal immigration raids.
What they’re saying
“This is not about one person. This is not about one narrative. It's about honoring generations of sacrifice, of resilience and hope.”
— Suzette Valladares, California State Senator
“His death is a reminder of how much farmworkers risk every day to put food on our table. Our farmworkers remind us that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
— Monique Limón, California State Senate President Pro Tempore
What’s next
The new Farmworkers Day holiday will be observed for the first time on March 31, 2026.
The takeaway
California's decision to rename César Chávez Day reflects a broader societal reckoning with the complex legacies of historical figures, as communities grapple with balancing their achievements with allegations of misconduct. The move underscores the importance of honoring the sacrifices and resilience of farmworkers, whose vital contributions often go unrecognized.
