BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The City of Bakersfield announced it will discontinue plans to rename H Street in honor of labor leader Cesar Chavez following sexual abuse allegations.
There was a proposal to rename H Street in honor of Cesar Chavez in August 2025, which advanced in a Bakersfield City Council vote. The council’s vote was not unanimous, with three members—Zack Bashirtash, Ken Weir, and Larry Koman opposing the change.
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The City of Bakersfield released a statement on March 18, saying that they became aware of allegations regarding Cesar Chavez during his time as the President of the United Farmworkers of America.
The statement said in part, “In light of these allegations, the City will be terminating efforts to rename a street for Cesar Chavez.”
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh sent a statement to Eyewitness News:
“Any sexual assault, abuse, and exploitation of minors and vulnerable persons is unacceptable. I am saddened for those impacted.”
Bakersfield councilman Zack Bashirtash agreed with the City’s action.
“It frightens me thinking how close we were to wasting taxpayer money, millions of dollars on naming a street after someone who harmed people. It frightens me as a father to my core that we were going to waste taxpayer money on something like that.”
Bashirtash was one of three councilmen who opposed the City’s decision in August to rename H Street to Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
A victim accusing Cesar Chavez was civil rights leader Dolores Huerta.
SEE ALSO: Dolores Huerta says Cesar Chavez sexual abuse led to two secret pregnancies
FILE – Cesar Chavez{ } (File Photo 1974)
She said in a statement that she was sexually abused by labor organizer Cesar Chavez in the 1960s, which resulted in two pregnancies. Her full statement can be found here.
Cesar Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers in the 1960s, has deep ties to Kern County. Delano served as a central hub for the early farmworker movement, including the historic Delano grape strike that helped bring national attention to labor conditions in the fields.
Huerta is a co-founder of the United Farm Workers.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual assault or sexual abuse, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or click here for resources.