California Renames Cesar Chavez Holiday to 'Farmworkers Day'

State moves quickly to rebrand holiday after sex abuse revelations about Chavez

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:38pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In the wake of revelations that civil rights leader Cesar Chavez sexually abused women and girls, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to rename the state's Cesar Chavez Day holiday to 'Farmworkers Day'. The swift rebrand comes just 8 days after an investigation by The New York Times detailed the abuse allegations against Chavez. Lawmakers across the Southwest are also working to remove Chavez's name from public spaces and holidays.

Why it matters

Chavez was long regarded as a hero for his advocacy on behalf of farmworkers, but the new allegations have prompted a major reckoning. California was the first state to establish a paid holiday honoring Chavez, and the renaming signals a broader effort to disassociate his name from the farmworker movement he helped lead.

The details

The California bill to rename the holiday was passed with bipartisan support and signed privately by Governor Newsom. Similar efforts are underway in Colorado, Arizona, and Texas to either rename or repeal Cesar Chavez holidays in those states. Local governments in California have also begun removing Chavez's name from plazas, boulevards, and school campuses.

  • The New York Times published an investigation into the abuse allegations against Chavez 8 days ago, on March 18, 2026.
  • The California bill to rename the holiday was signed into law on March 26, 2026, just days before the March 31 Cesar Chavez holiday.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who signed the legislation to rename the Cesar Chavez holiday.

Dolores Huerta

Chavez's ally in leading the United Farm Workers union, who alleged that Chavez raped her decades ago.

Esmeralda Soria

A Democratic assemblywoman from Fresno who introduced the bill to change the name of the California state holiday.

Suzette Martinez Valladares

A Republican state senator who shared personal stories of her grandparents' experiences as farmworkers in supporting the holiday renaming.

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who signed a proclamation renaming the holiday 'Farm Workers Day' in the city.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As the daughter of farmworkers, this isn't just a headline for me. This is personal.”

— Esmeralda Soria, Democratic assemblywoman from Fresno

“Behind every field in California, there's a family story like mine.”

— Suzette Martinez Valladares, Republican state senator

What’s next

Efforts are underway to remove Cesar Chavez's name from streets, schools and community events throughout California and the Southwest.

The takeaway

The swift renaming of the Cesar Chavez holiday in California represents a major reckoning over the civil rights leader's legacy, as allegations of sexual abuse have prompted a broad effort to disassociate his name from the farmworker movement he helped lead.