Houston students will soon observe a different name on their spring calendar.
HOUSTON — Houston Independent School District announced Thursday that it will redesignate a student and staff holiday honoring Cesar Chavez as Farmworkers Day, following recent sexual assault allegations against the late labor icon.
The HISD Board of Managers made the announcement at its Board Meeting Thursday. The holiday, currently scheduled for March 30, will now be observed under the new name.
“The District recognizes that allegations of this nature can be deeply painful for victims and survivors, and we are mindful of that impact,” read a press release from HISD Thursday evening.
The district also addressed the potential renaming of Chavez High School, saying it would follow an established process that includes input from HISD families.
“There will be time to engage in a thoughtful and timely process, including HISD families. Any recommendations for renaming, as well as changes to next year’s academic calendar, will be brought before the Board,” according to a news release sent out by the district Thursday night.
The announcement comes as communities across the country grapple with reports that two women accused Chavez of raping them when they were 12 years old, allegations that were reported this week by the New York Times. Chavez’s United Farm Workers union co-founder, Dolores Huerta, has also come forward with her own abuse allegations.
HISD said it will share more information in the coming weeks.
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