The Los Angeles City Council on Friday formally voted to rename the upcoming César Chávez holiday as Farm Workers Day, and to begin work to remove the late labor leader’s name from buildings and other memorials.
More than a week ago, Mayor Karen Bass signed a proclamation to rename César Chávez Day, following allegations that Chávez sexually abused young girls and women, including United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.
In a unanimous vote, the City Council formally backed the mayor’s action.
City Council members also instructed the chief legislative analyst to conduct a full inventory of city-owned or managed assets, facilities and projects, including but not limited to streets, buildings, parks, recreational centers, community gardens, murals and monuments dedicated to Chávez — with the intention of renaming them.
A report is expected to come before the City Council in 30 days on the matter.
Elected officials also instructed the Civil, Human Rights and Equity Department to develop an initiative for residents, farm workers, members of the Filipino American labor community and descendants of the original Farm Workers strikers, among others, to provide input into the renaming effort.
“As we move forward from this heavy moment, you have to remember the farm worker movement is not just about one person. It was built by Filipino workers, who had the guts to walk out first,” Hernandez said.
“The campesinos and undocumented families, who went hungry so their children could stand tall, and the incredible women who ran the union and bore the greatest personal cost while receiving the least recognition,” Hernandez added.
She concluded that “We owe it to the millions who put their lives on the line for this movement to move forward together with our eyes wide open.”
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles Unified School board unanimously approved similar actions Tuesday.