\u201cThis memorandum does not prejudge the outcome of any individual renaming decision,\u201d wrote the memo\u2019s authors \u2014 which include Mayor Matt Mahan and Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Anthony Tordillos, Domingo Candelas and Pamela Campos. \u201cInitiating an inventory and public process is a measured step that allows San Jose to act thoughtfully, support survivors, and honor the broader legacy of farmworker rights.\u201d<\/p>\n If approved, the memo will go before the full City Council for consideration at a later date.<\/p>\n Last week, a\u00a0New York Times investigation<\/a>\u00a0revealed allegations that Chavez, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers who died in 1993, sexually abused young women and children, including fellow movement leader\u00a0Dolores Huerta<\/a>.<\/p>\n The allegations have sent\u00a0shockwaves through San Jose<\/a>, a city Chavez called home at various points in his life. He has\u00a0long been celebrated<\/a>\u00a0in the city, including through the naming of Plaza de Cesar Chavez downtown and an East San Jose elementary school. There are also several Cesar Chavez Day celebrations, including an annual breakfast, march through East San Jose and downtown and a city-sponsored UFW flag raising at City Hall. Festivities for the March 31 holiday have been halted in light of the allegations.<\/p>\n A sensitive discussion<\/p>\n In 2022, nonprofit Amigos de Guadalupe, with support from the city,\u00a0purchased Chavez\u2019s family home<\/a>\u00a0in East San Jose \u2014 a historic property now being transformed into a community space focused on education, preservation and housing for young adults.<\/p>\n As part of the review process laid out in the memo, city leaders intend to determine the sometimes complicated procedural hurdles that must be cleared in order to rename\u00a0public assets<\/a>. Typically, name changes require a review by a number of city agencies and elected bodies before going to the city council for final approval.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s critical that we center the voices of the Latino farmworker community while also being sensitive to survivors and those who were harmed,\u201d Ortiz, who represents East San Jose, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWhat I hope this process achieves is a thoughtful, community-driven approach that reflects our shared values, one that allows us to honor the broader legacy of farmworkers while ensuring we are not causing further harm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s critical that we center the voices of the Latino farmworker community while also being sensitive to survivors and those who were harmed.\u201d<\/p>\n Councilmember Peter Ortiz<\/p>\n Soon after news of the allegations against Chavez broke last week, many San Jose leaders moved quickly to condemn Chavez, pledging to reevaluate how the city honors the farmworkers\u2019 movement in public spaces. The memo\u2019s authors stipulate the community engagement process should prioritize the Latino and farmworker communities.<\/p>\n Jessica Paz-Cedillos, CEO of the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza and\u00a0San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight columnist<\/a>, applauded the plan laid out in the memo, calling it \u201cthe right first step.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe farmworkers movement was built by many \u2014 especially women and community leaders whose contributions have often gone unrecognized,\u201d Paz-Cedillos told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cThis is an opportunity not to erase history, but to deepen it \u2014 to elevate the full story, honor those who carried the movement forward and ensure our public spaces reflect both our values and our collective legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n The San Jose Rules and Open Government Committee meets Wednesday at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n Contact Keith Menconi at\u00a0keith@sanjosespotlight.com\u00a0or @KeithMenconi on X.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774409029_739_LNM-20250616-SJSPOTLIGHTLOGO-01.jpg\")
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