Austin Reconsiders Cesar Chavez Legacy Amid Misconduct Allegations

City leaders weigh renaming street, canceling annual parade as national groups reveal claims against civil rights icon

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:56pm

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Austin leaders are reconsidering Cesar Chavez's legacy in the city after national organizations revealed allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct against the civil rights leader. Some local groups are proposing to reverse the 1993 renaming of First Street to Cesar Chavez Street, while organizers of the annual Cesar Chavez celebration are voting on whether to proceed with or cancel this year's event.

Why it matters

Chavez is a towering figure in the Mexican American civil rights movement, and his legacy has been celebrated for decades in Austin through street names, parades, and community events. These new allegations have left some local leaders grappling with how to honor Chavez's activism while addressing concerns over his personal conduct.

The details

The Cesar Chavez Foundation and the United Farm Workers have revealed that Chavez was accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships with women and minors during his time leading the United Farm Workers. In response, some Austin organizations like El Concilio are proposing to revert the 1993 renaming of First Street to Cesar Chavez Street, while the organizers of the annual Cesar Chavez celebration are voting on whether to proceed with, modify, or cancel this year's event.

  • In 1993, Austin renamed First Street to Cesar Chavez Street, a few months after Chavez's death.
  • The 25th Annual Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Marcha de Justicia and Celebration is scheduled for March 28, 2026 at Terrazas Branch Library.
  • Cesar Chavez's birthday is March 31, which is observed as Cesar Chavez Day.

The players

Cesar Chavez

A national civil rights leader who organized and advocated for farmworkers, and left a lasting legacy in Austin through repeated visits over the course of his life.

El Concilio

A coalition of Mexican American neighborhood associations rooted in East Austin that held a vote to bring a resolution to the City Council proposing that Cesar Chavez Street be renamed back to First Street.

Gavino Fernandez Jr.

An organizer with El Concilio who said the group hopes to take the renaming proposal to Council Member José Velásquez to solicit opinions from the council.

Alicia Perez-Hodge

The co-founder of HABLA and District VII director of LULAC in Austin, who said the local group is taking the national organizations' statements seriously and is trying to get more information ahead of a vote by the event's executive council.

Susana Almanza

The founder of PODER and a former event organizer, who said she supports the continuation of this year's Cesar Chavez event because of its broad political value and long-held importance to parts of the city's Hispanic community.

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What they’re saying

“We don't know, and we don't know the extent. The most disturbing thing, of course, is whether it was a minor or minors, and I think those details are as of yet only allegations.”

— Alicia Perez-Hodge, Co-founder of HABLA and District VII director of LULAC in Austin (statesman.com)

“It's not just Cesar Chavez. It's about labor, it's about farm workers, it's about fair housing.”

— Susana Almanza, Founder of PODER and a former event organizer (statesman.com)

“That's something we don't tolerate or condone from anyone, much less someone with a high profile.”

— Gavino Fernandez Jr., Organizer with El Concilio (statesman.com)

What’s next

The organizers of Austin's Cesar Chavez celebration are expected to vote on Tuesday night on whether to proceed with, modify or cancel this year's event. El Concilio also plans to take its proposal to rename Cesar Chavez Street back to First Street to Council Member José Velásquez to solicit opinions from the city council.

The takeaway

These allegations against Cesar Chavez have left Austin's Hispanic and Latino community leaders grappling with how to honor his civil rights legacy while addressing concerns over his personal conduct. The city's response will shape the future of Chavez's public memorials and events, reflecting the complex legacy of a towering figure in the Mexican American rights movement.