On Thursday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that Cesar Chavez Day will be renamed to Farmworkers Day, days after a report by the New York Times revealed sexual assault and abuse allegations against Chavez.
“I also want to share that I've been in touch with the Chavez family, and they support our decision to rename this holiday,” Bass announced during the press conference. This March, this March 30th, and every last Monday of March moving forward will provide an opportunity for Angelenos to reflect on how the struggle of farm workers has elevated working people everywhere.”
The mayor also said there will be a citywide evaluation regarding renaming monuments, memorials, and streets named after Chavez.
Bass also addressed a photo of her and Chavez, saying she met him once, and that while she’s shared it on social media, she will never share it again.
Chavez, who died in 1993, is accused of sexually abusing girls as young as 12. Dolores Huerta, the fellow founder of the United Farm Workers, also announced on social media and in an investigative piece in the New York Times that she was raped by Chavez.
Following the report, officials with the United Farm Workers Union said they will not take part in any upcoming Cesar Chavez Day events while they look into the claim.
UCLA’s Chicano studies department unanimously voted Wednesday afternoon to remove Cesar E. Chavez from its name.
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