Stockton Debates Future of Cesar Chavez Library Amid Farmworkers Day Transition

City council to consider community input on renaming library after allegations against labor leader

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Stockton residents voiced concerns at a community forum about the future of the city-owned Cesar Chavez Central Library, ahead of a city council meeting to discuss the matter. This comes as California marks its first Farmworkers Day, replacing the previous Cesar Chavez Day holiday, following allegations against the late labor leader. Some residents want the library renamed, while others are hesitant to erase Chavez's legacy within the farmworkers movement.

Why it matters

The debate over the Cesar Chavez library highlights the complex legacy of the labor leader and the need to balance honoring his contributions to the farmworkers movement with addressing serious allegations against him. The transition to Farmworkers Day also signals a shift in how the state commemorates the history and struggles of agricultural workers.

The details

Stockton City Councilmember Jesús Enríquez hosted a community forum to gather input from residents before the city council's upcoming vote on the future of the Cesar Chavez Central Library. Some residents expressed shock and grief over the allegations against Chavez, first reported in a New York Times investigation, while others argued that due process is difficult for someone who can't defend themselves. There was consensus on protecting victims, but differing opinions on whether to rename the library to avoid erasing Chavez's legacy.

  • California's inaugural Farmworkers Day was formally approved last week to replace Cesar Chavez Day.
  • The community forum was held on Monday evening, ahead of the city council meeting on Tuesday.

The players

Jesús Enríquez

A Stockton City Councilmember who hosted the community forum to gather input before the council's upcoming vote on the future of the Cesar Chavez Central Library.

Alyssa Leiva

A community organizer with Stockton Stands who spearheaded a petition to remove Cesar Chavez's name from all public facilities in Stockton, citing solidarity with survivors of sexual assault and the need to account for the allegations against Chavez.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We want to make sure that we are listening to the community. We're hearing their input, their thoughts, frustrations, ideas, collecting all of it and then be able to share that with my council colleagues and the community about really what the pulse is about what's happening right now.”

— Jesús Enríquez, Stockton City Councilmember

“We did this to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault, including the allegations that he had against children. During our organizing experiences, we've had a lot of conversations around this issue being bypassed by municipalities... We think that it's imperative to stand in solidarity with our survivors in the city, regardless of who their abuser is, and to know that these accusations against Chavez should be accounted for, no matter what his contribution was to the labor movement at large.”

— Alyssa Leiva, Community Organizer, Stockton Stands

What’s next

After gathering community input, Councilmember Enríquez said he wants the city council to vote on what to do with the Cesar Chavez Central Library on April 14.

The takeaway

The debate over the Cesar Chavez library highlights the complex legacy of the labor leader and the need to balance honoring his contributions to the farmworkers movement with addressing serious allegations against him. The transition to Farmworkers Day also signals a shift in how the state commemorates the history and struggles of agricultural workers, prioritizing the movement over the individual.