California will rename César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day

State lawmakers announced Thursday they’ve introduced legislation to officially rename César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day in light of recent revelations about the late labor leader.

Legislators wasted no time after news broke Wednesday that Chávez sexually abused multiple young women and minors throughout his time as a leader of the farmworkers movement. Chávez was long revered in California with dozens of streets, schools and monuments in his name as well as a state holiday recognizing his birthday, March 31.

“California’s farmworker rights movement never has been about one individual,” reads a statement from Assembly Speaker Rovert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón. “To the survivors who have found the courage to come forward, uplifting the movement’s values of dignity and justice, and demanding accountability, our hearts are with you always.”

Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters on Wednesday that he is open to changing the holiday and that those conversations were already happening in the Legislature. 

The governor posted on X Thursday afternoon saying the proposed Farmworkers Day is “a welcomed change.”

The United Farm Workers (UFW) union was co-founded by Chávez and labor leader Dolores Huerta, with critical contributions from Larry Itliong and Gilbert Padilla. Huerta was one of the women who accused Chávez of sexual assault in a New York Times investigation.

Many lawmakers, state leaders and Huerta herself reiterated support for survivors while ensuring that the work of UFW and the farmworkers movement should still be celebrated and uplifted.

“From the beginning, the movement has been rooted in those lasting ideals of fairness and respect,” reads Rivas’ and Limón’s statement. “And at its core, it is about the women and men whose hard work feeds our nation, and whose bravery — together with countless supporters — has fueled a persistent fight to secure essential worker rights and recognition of their humanity.

“To honor the movement’s rich California history and the steadfast dedication behind it, we are putting forward legislation to designate the following 2026 state holiday in California: Farmworkers Day.”

Legislators will also be working with school districts and local governments to address “laws and statute,” according to the statement, seemingly related to the renaming of the streets and schools named after Chávez. The California Museum also announced it will be removing Chávez from its Hall of Fame.