Farmworkers Day: California Seeks to Rename Cesar Chavez Holiday

In a move to address the recent allegations of sexual abuse against the late labor leader Cesar Chavez, California's legislative leaders are proposing to rename the state's Cesar Chavez Day holiday to Farmworkers Day. This change comes nearly 30 years after California became the first state to designate Chavez's birthday, March 31, as an official paid day off for state employees and a time for teaching students about his legacy and involvement in the state's labor movement.

The decision to rename the holiday is a response to the growing number of sexual abuse allegations that have surfaced against Chavez, a prominent figure in the civil rights and labor movements. By shifting the focus to farmworkers more broadly, lawmakers aim to honor the contributions of the agricultural workforce while acknowledging the need to address the troubling allegations against Chavez.