Santa Fe School Removes Cesar Chavez Name After Abuse Claims

School board votes to change name to 'White Tiger' temporarily amid allegations against civil rights leader

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:33am

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The Santa Fe school board has voted unanimously to immediately remove Cesar Chavez's name from an elementary school in the city following accusations from multiple women that Chavez sexually abused them, including civil rights activist Dolores Huerta. The school will temporarily be known as White Tiger, based on the school mascot, while the district holds community meetings to choose a permanent new name.

Why it matters

Chavez was a revered civil rights leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers union, but these allegations of sexual abuse have called into question his legacy and led the school district to distance itself from his name. The decision highlights the complex process of re-evaluating historical figures in light of new information about their conduct.

The details

The Santa Fe Public Schools board voted unanimously to remove Chavez's name from the elementary school immediately. The school will temporarily be known as White Tiger, based on the school mascot, while the district holds community meetings to choose a permanent new name. The district also said it will cover murals and remove pictures of Chavez from inside the school building.

  • The school board vote happened earlier today, March 27, 2026.
  • The district plans to have a new permanent name in place by the start of the next school year.

The players

Cesar Chavez

A civil rights leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers union, but has now been accused of sexual abuse by multiple women, including activist Dolores Huerta.

Dolores Huerta

A civil rights activist who has accused Cesar Chavez of sexual abuse.

Santa Fe Public Schools

The school district that voted to remove Cesar Chavez's name from an elementary school in the city.

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What they’re saying

“We must not allow individuals to have their names honored when there are credible accusations of sexual abuse against them.”

— Santa Fe Public Schools spokesperson

What’s next

The school district plans to hold community meetings to gather input on a permanent new name for the school.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the difficult process of re-evaluating the legacies of historical figures in light of new information about their conduct, and the need for schools and institutions to carefully consider honoring individuals accused of sexual abuse.