FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Cesar Chavez Day, celebrated by hundreds of thousands each year on March 31, is drawing renewed scrutiny as local and state leaders respond to allegations against the late civil rights leader.<\/p>\n
California was the first state to designate Chavez’s birthday as a day honoring the labor leader and the movement he led.<\/p>\n
For about 25 years, the holiday has recognized his role in farmworker and civil rights advocacy.<\/p>\n
That legacy is now being reexamined in light of allegations accusing Cesar Chavez of sexual abuse involving children and Latina activist Dolores Huerta.<\/p>\n
RELATED: California lawmakers say they’ll change name of Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day<\/a><\/p>\n Fresno County supervisors say the accusations have prompted difficult conversations, particularly within the Latino community.<\/p>\n Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez said the news has been painful to absorb.<\/p>\n “It’s disheartening to see that someone we looked up to for decades now be accused of crimes this serious and abhorrent,” Chavez said.<\/p>\n As more details emerged, he added, disappointment spread throughout the community.<\/p>\n “I think as the story evolved, in the Latino community we are obviously very disappointed,” Chavez said.<\/p>\n Supervisor Garry Bredefeld echoed those sentiments, describing the allegations as devastating.<\/p>\n “It’s all tragic and all horrific, the allegations, raping women and young girls, I wish this had come out sooner,” Bredefeld said.<\/p>\n Both supervisors said the county has a responsibility to respond appropriately, including reconsidering the name of the holiday as it is celebrated locally.<\/p>\n They emphasized that any change would be intended to preserve the broader meaning of the day while addressing the concerns raised by the allegations.<\/p>\n Bredefeld said he has already put forward alternative ideas for the holiday’s name.<\/p>\n “I proposed ag day, others are looking at farmer worker in the name, I will be okay with either but it will change,” he said.<\/p>\n Luis Chavez said he supports including the word “Farmworker” in a new name, reinforcing that the focus should remain on the broader struggle and sacrifices of agricultural workers.<\/p>\n “It was never really about one person. It was about the work and the struggle and the sacrifice of a lot of farmworkers and community residence went though during that era to fight,” Chavez said.<\/p>\n The Fresno County Board of Supervisors will discuss and vote on renaming the holiday locally.<\/p>\n The official new name will be decided and voted on on Monday.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n