California’s leaders in the Legislature on Thursday announced they plan to rename César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day in response to sexual abuse allegations against the late labor and civil rights leader.A multi-year New York Times investigation included interviews with two women who said Chávez molested them while they were underage in the 1970s. Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the nation’s largest farmworkers union alongside Chávez, also said that Chávez sexually assaulted her. She said she had two children in secret after two sexual encounters with him.(Previous coverage in the video above: Gov. Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom react to César Chávez sex abuse allegations.)“California’s farmworker rights movement never has been about one individual. 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,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón said. “From the beginning, the movement has been rooted in those lasting ideals of fairness and respect. 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.”The statement added that the Legislature and state leaders would work with local governments and school districts “on addressing laws and statute.” A spokesperson for the speaker’s office confirmed that the change would happen before the scheduled holiday on March 31. Lawmakers go on recess on March 26. The joint announcement comes a day after two Republican lawmakers filed legislation to rename the holiday. Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo’s proposal names the holiday Farmworker Day. State Sen. Suzette Valladares’ legislation renames the holiday Farmworkers Day. It’s not clear if the two parties will work together on the legislation. Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Thursday that he was supportive of the legislative efforts and looked forward to “moving that along in an expeditious way.” “What César represented was a movement, the farmworkers movement, the labor movement,” he said. “And it’s right to celebrate that movement.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

California’s leaders in the Legislature on Thursday announced they plan to rename César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day in response to sexual abuse allegations against the late labor and civil rights leader.

A multi-year New York Times investigation included interviews with two women who said Chávez molested them while they were underage in the 1970s. Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the nation’s largest farmworkers union alongside Chávez, also said that Chávez sexually assaulted her. She said she had two children in secret after two sexual encounters with him.

(Previous coverage in the video above: Gov. Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom react to César Chávez sex abuse allegations.)

“California’s farmworker rights movement never has been about one individual. 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,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón said. “From the beginning, the movement has been rooted in those lasting ideals of fairness and respect. 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.”

The statement added that the Legislature and state leaders would work with local governments and school districts “on addressing laws and statute.”

A spokesperson for the speaker’s office confirmed that the change would happen before the scheduled holiday on March 31. Lawmakers go on recess on March 26.

The joint announcement comes a day after two Republican lawmakers filed legislation to rename the holiday. Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo’s proposal names the holiday Farmworker Day. State Sen. Suzette Valladares’ legislation renames the holiday Farmworkers Day.

It’s not clear if the two parties will work together on the legislation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Thursday that he was supportive of the legislative efforts and looked forward to “moving that along in an expeditious way.”

“What César represented was a movement, the farmworkers movement, the labor movement,” he said. “And it’s right to celebrate that movement.”

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See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel