Celebrations honoring late labor icon César Chávez are being canceled across Texas and the country after his own union cited "deeply troubling" allegations that he abused young women and possibly minors - and his name remains on schools and major roads right here in North Texas.
The United Farm Workers, the union Chávez co-founded, distanced itself Tuesday from annual celebrations of his legacy, citing allegations of "abuse of young women or minors" that were serious enough to urge supporters to redirect their energy toward immigration justice events and acts of service instead.
The UFW acknowledged it has not received any direct reports and does not have firsthand knowledge of the allegations, but said they are serious enough to compel urgent action and create space for anyone who may have been victimized to come forward.
The wave of cancellations came in anticipation of reports that the New York Times is preparing to publish the results of a years-long investigation into Chávez's past, according to sources cited by the Tucson Sentinel. No details have been released.
In Texas, the fallout was swift. The 29th Annual César E. Chávez March for Justice in San Antonio was canceled on March 6, 2026, organized by the local César E. Chávez Legacy and Educational Foundation. Corpus Christi's march was also canceled, and the Laredo event - held on the last Saturday of March - was called off as well.
Events were also canceled in Houston.
The impact is felt close to home.
In North Texas, Chávez's name appears on at least three public schools: César Chávez Learning Center, part of Dallas ISD, located at 1710 N. Carroll Avenue in Dallas. Fort Worth ISD operates both César Chávez Primary School and César Chávez Elementary School, located at 3710 Deen Road in Fort Worth. César Chávez Boulevard in Dallas - formerly South Central Expressway - was renamed in honor of the labor leader in 2010. In Fort Worth, a section of Northeast 28th Street/Texas 183 was designated in his honor.
Neither Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, nor city officials in Dallas or Fort Worth had issued public statements about the allegations or the future of the Chávez-named properties as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Cesar Chavez Foundation said it was "deeply shocked and saddened" and is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement to support those who may have been harmed and to establish a confidential reporting process.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the state will not recognize March 31 as César Chávez Day this year. Annual parades in Tucson, Arizona, and San Francisco were also canceled.
Chávez died in 1993 at the age of 66 and would have turned 100 next year. This is a developing story.
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