California has officially renamed César Chávez Day after sexual abuse allegations
California decided to make a shift from the late labor leader’s annual “César Chávez Day” to focus on the workers of the farm labor movement amidst the recent sexual abuse allegations. This day of acknowledgment that used to fall on Chávez’s birthday has now been changed for future dates.
For the first time in many years, farm workers will be honoured for the holiday in comparison to the past, which was made possible with the support of Mayor Karen Bass and the Board of Supervisors.
This change comes following a series of reports explaining alleged misconduct that occurred earlier this March. The report included the renowned civil rights activist Dolores Huerta.
The New York Times investigation that reported Huerta’s allegation included those of multiple other women as well.
Following the fallout of this investigation, county supervisors began to strip Chávez’s name from all buildings and county facilities. As of March 31, the city will begin to review everything it owns under the labor leader’s name and begin the renaming process.
As a part of this process, the county is reviewing a more effective strategy to take down his name, statues and paintings from public buildings.
In Sacramento, orders were already put in place for a statue of Chávez to be removed from the Chávez Plaza.
“The abuses of one man should not diminish the extraordinary sacrifices and accomplishments of the farmworker movement,” stated County Supervisor Janice Hahn. He emphasised that the work of the people should not be discredited for the behaviour of their leader.
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Many offices and DMV locations will still remain closed in the state of California as the state government still lists this day as a holiday. Many people are pressuring that there be a permanent statewide name change moving forward.