César Chavez Day Events Canceled After Abuse Allegations

Celebrations honoring the late labor leader are being renamed, postponed or canceled following claims of sexual abuse.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:34am

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Many upcoming events and holidays honoring the late farmworker labor leader César Chavez are being renamed, postponed or canceled in the wake of allegations that he sexually abused women and girls while leading the United Farm Workers Union. The allegations have prompted swift fallout, including from the UFW itself, which announced it would not take part in any events named after its former leader. Several states and cities have also canceled or postponed their annual César Chavez Day celebrations.

Why it matters

The allegations against Chavez have called into question his legacy and the appropriateness of continuing to honor him with public events and holidays. This has sparked a broader debate about how to reconcile the positive aspects of Chavez's activism for farmworker rights with the disturbing claims of abuse, and whether his name should remain attached to landmarks, institutions and honors.

The details

The allegations were first revealed this week by labor rights activist Dolores Huerta, who said she was among those abused by Chavez. This has led to swift action, with the United Farm Workers announcing it would not participate in any events named after its former leader. Several states, including Texas, Arizona and California, as well as cities like Lansing, Milwaukee, San Jose and Austin, have canceled or postponed their annual César Chavez Day celebrations and events.

  • The allegations against Chavez were revealed this week.
  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the state would not observe César Chavez Day this year on Wednesday.
  • Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has declined to recognize March 31 as César Chavez Day, as she had in the two prior years.
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday he was still 'processing' the news and wouldn't commit to making any changes to the state holiday.
  • The city of Lansing, Michigan, canceled its Legacy of César Chavez Dinner on March 25.

The players

Dolores Huerta

A labor rights activist who revealed this week that she was among those sexually abused by César Chavez.

United Farm Workers

The organization founded by César Chavez, which announced it would not take part in any events named after its former leader.

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas, who announced the state would not observe César Chavez Day this year.

Katie Hobbs

The governor of Arizona, who has declined to recognize March 31 as César Chavez Day as she had in the two prior years.

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California, who said he was still 'processing' the news and wouldn't commit to making any changes to the state holiday.

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What’s next

Discussions will begin soon on what to do about streets and other locations named after César Chavez, including potentially renaming them to honor Dolores Huerta or other Latino leaders.

The takeaway

The allegations against César Chavez have forced a reckoning over how to properly honor his legacy as a champion of farmworker rights, while also addressing the disturbing claims of sexual abuse. This has led to the cancellation of many public events and holidays bearing his name, as communities grapple with reconciling the positive and negative aspects of his life and work.