Austin, TX – March 18, 2026: Texas Values is calling on Austin ISD to cancel the student and staff holiday of Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day in light of breaking allegations that Cesar Chavez committed child sex abuse. Austin ISD chose to celebrate Cesar Chavez/ Dolores Huerta Day in place of allowing students and staff a day off for the Christian holiday, Good Friday. The news of the allegations broke this morning with many national publications like the New York Times reporting on the allegations. The City of San Antonio has cancelled their events celebrating Cesar Chavez and many have asked for Cesar Chavez events to be cancelled in Austin. 

The United Farm Workers, the organization Cesar Chavez founded, has issued a statement with great concern about the allegations. 

Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, said: 

“These allegations are shocking and I hope that the truth can be revealed. My heart goes out to the victims who may have been harmed by this level of abuse, especially the young girls. That said, Austin ISD should consider cancelling their observance of Cesar Chavez/ Dolores Huerta Day and have kids go to school on that day, until more is discovered about the allegations. Instead, students should be allowed to have Good Friday off. As Texas Values stated before, Cesar Chavez Day should not have been an automatic cancellation of Good Friday”. 

Last year, Austin ISD made Cesar Chavez Day a non-negotiable holiday to be placed on the school calendar, while leaving the religious holiday Good Friday off of the school calendar. Texas Values will be following the developments of the story. To learn more about how Austin ISD cancelled Good Friday, please visit txvalues.org.

Members of Texas Values law and policy team are available for comment. Contact Ashley at media@txvalues.org or 737-314-2450 (m) to schedule an interview. 

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About Texas Values

Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.