Efforts to Rebrand César Chávez Day Spread Across U.S.

Allegations of sexual abuse against the civil rights leader prompt communities to distance themselves from his name

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:18pm

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A dynamic, fractured painting in shades of green and brown depicting a hand holding a protest sign with the words 'Sí, Se Puede' repeated in an overlapping, geometric pattern, capturing the energy and momentum of the farmworkers' rights movement.As communities grapple with the legacy of César Chávez, the farmworkers' movement he helped lead continues to inspire new generations of activists.El Paso Today

From California to Minnesota, elected leaders and civil rights groups are scrambling to distance themselves from César Chávez's name in the wake of allegations that he sexually abused women and girls during the 1960s as he became the face of the farmworkers' movement. Efforts have been swift and widespread to rebrand events ahead of what typically was a day to celebrate the life and legacy of the Latino rights advocate on his birthday, March 31.

Why it matters

The resulting conversations have been anything but easy as supporters grapple with conflicted feelings while sorting out how best to honor what was a pivotal labor and civil rights effort in the United States. Feelings of disappointment, disbelief and even anger have made for an emotional cocktail for those charting the path forward.

The details

Renaming efforts are underway for dozens of schools, streets and other locations across the United States that are named for Chávez, including the national monument in Keene, California. In Tucson, Arizona, last weekend's celebration was instead billed as a community and labor fair. In Grand Junction, Colorado, it's now the Sí, Se Puede Celebration. El Paso, Texas, will mark Tuesday as Community and Labor Heritage Day. Lawmakers in Minnesota voted this week to end the César Chávez holiday in their state, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a bill to rename César Chávez Day as Farmworkers Day.

  • The New York Times recently reported that it found César Chávez groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the movement.
  • Dolores Huerta, also revealed that she was a victim of the abuse in her 30s.
  • Efforts to rebrand events have been underway ahead of what typically was a day to celebrate the life and legacy of the Latino rights advocate on his birthday, March 31.

The players

Dolores Huerta

The movement's co-founder, who revealed that she was a victim of the abuse in her 30s.

José Luis Chávez

The founder and president of the committee that has organized the César Chávez Celebration for Mesa County, Colorado, for the past decade. The committee is made up of people who have worked in the agricultural industry and whose grandparents and parents cut grapes and picked peaches.

Sehila Mota Casper

The executive director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation, who said the outcome will be different for every community and that 'due process' is needed to help grapple with this issue.

Joaquín Baca

A City Councilor in Albuquerque, whose district includes roads named after both César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. He said the city is just beginning the process of sorting out name changes for roads and other public spaces.

Gavin Newsom

The California governor who signed a bill to rename César Chávez Day as Farmworkers Day.

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What they’re saying

“It was a personal hurt and a betrayal.”

— José Luis Chávez, Founder and president of the César Chávez Celebration committee in Mesa County, Colorado

“Even when we thought about canceling, we chose to keep going, because this movement is bigger than a name or one person. No single individual defines it. … We, the working people, do.”

— Arizona César E. Chávez + Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition

“It's due process that's needed to help grapple with this. I think that's the best resolution that each community will have to decide for themselves, how it is that they land on a decision that best reflects their community and their values.”

— Sehila Mota Casper, Executive director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation

“It's every side on every issue within the context of this. So for me, it has been a lot of listening at this point.”

— Joaquín Baca, City Councilor in Albuquerque

What’s next

Lawmakers in California and Colorado are considering bills to rename the state holidays honoring César Chávez to instead recognize farmworkers more broadly. Communities across the country will continue to grapple with how to honor Chávez's legacy while addressing the allegations against him.

The takeaway

The swift and widespread efforts to rebrand César Chávez Day events and locations reflect the complex emotions and difficult decisions facing communities as they navigate the legacy of a civil rights leader accused of sexual abuse. This process highlights the need to critically examine historical figures, acknowledge both their positive and negative impacts, and find ways to honor the broader movement they represented while addressing their personal transgressions.