On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board voted unanimously to rename five high schools and one elementary school named after disgraced labor leader Cesar Chavez.
The schools slated for renaming include Cesar Chavez Elementary School in El Sereno and the Cesar Chavez Learning Academies in San Fernando, according to the Los Angeles Times. The name change is expected to happen by the fall.
Board member Nick Melvoin told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener that he appreciates the swift action taken by districtive and legislative leaders.
“There are far too many powerful men in this world who are walking unaffected by a culture of abuse, and that is one of the reasons that it takes people decades to come and be vocal about what happened to them,” he said. “So, I appreciate not only the quick action to rename schools and murals and put this context, as Ms. Griego said, in the broader sonstellation of what happens, but also hope that the district's efforts around our trainings can encourage folks to come out as early as possible, not only to prevent this in the first place, but to make sure that their trauma is not compounded, and that we do have to hold those in power accountable.”
Last week, the New York Times published an article in which Chavez, who died in 1993, was accused of grooming and sexually abusing young women and minors who worked in the movement, including Dolores Huerta.
The outlet interviewed over 60 people and compiled hundreds of pages of records, emails, and writings for the report.
On March 19, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass announced that Cesar Chavez Day will be renamed to Farmworkers Day, adding that the Chavez family supported the decision.
State lawmakers have also passed a measure to rename the March 31st holiday to Farmworkers Day. The measure is set to be on Governor Newsom’s desk on Thursday.
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