BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The city of Bakersfield said it will be terminating efforts to rename H Street for Cesar Chavez following new allegations of sexual assault against the labor leader and civil rights activist.
City officials said in a press release Wednesday morning that the city has become aware of allegations regarding Chavez during his time as the president of the United Farmworkers of America.
The city had been considering renaming H Street as Cesar Chavez Boulevard with the City Council first discussing the idea in August of 2025.
Under city policy, streets can be renamed after individuals, service organizations or other humanitarian entities that federal or state holidays are observed for. March 31 is Cesar Chavez Day, a federal holiday in the U.S.
On Wednesday, the New York Times published a yearslong investigation into sexual abuse allegations raised against Chavez, who is accused of molesting two young girls.
On the same day, civil rights leader and activist Dolores Huerta — who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in Delano with Chavez — said Chavez sexually assaulted her and fathered two of her children.
One of the women named in the New York Times report said she was speaking out because the city of Bakersfield was considering renaming H Street to Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.