Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles, signed a proclamation designating the last Monday of March as “Farm Workers Day,” following recent sexual abuse allegations against civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.
Decision follows new allegations
The move comes after a report by The New York Times detailed claims that Chavez abused women and girls during the 1960s and 1970s.
Among those allegations are statements from Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Chavez. Huerta said she remained silent for decades to protect the farmworker movement but recently chose to speak publicly.
Mayor calls moment “painful”
Speaking at a news conference, Bass described the revelations as deeply upsetting, noting her long-standing admiration for Chavez and the farmworker movement.
“We are here to honor the generations of farm workers and organizers who fought for civil rights and strengthened the labor movement,” she said.
Shift from Chavez-focused recognition
Cesar Chavez Day is traditionally observed on March 31 in several states, including California. The new designation in Los Angeles shifts the focus toward farmworkers broadly rather than honoring Chavez alone.
Legacy and future considerations
Chavez remains a significant historical figure known for leading nonviolent campaigns for farmworker rights. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton, and his legacy is reflected in schools, streets, and public spaces across California.
Bass said the city will review how Chavez’s name is used in public places but emphasized that the allegations do not diminish the broader contributions of farmworkers and activists.