El Paso City Council renames Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Appreciation Day

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to rename what was once widely observed as Cesar Chavez Day on March 31 as Farmworkers Appreciation Day, following allegations of sexual abuse against the late labor leader.

City leaders approved a resolution during Tuesday’s City Council meeting to rename the March 31 holiday.

“For years, March 31 was recognized as Cesar Chavez Day; it’s unfortunate a year ago a new light was shed on Cesar, and while most anything could have been done, like doing away with the day, I really appreciate the work to bring back a very, very honorable recognition, and that would be Farm Workers Appreciation Day. I think it stands for the work that has been done throughout the years, and it’s the farm workers. And so I’m just very happy to see this and move to approve it,” Rep. Lily Limon said.

The move follows a multiyear New York Times investigation that detailed allegations that César Chávez, who died in 1993, sexually abused and groomed young girls who worked in the movement, including civil rights icon and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, who was in her 30s at the time, according to the investigation.

Chávez was a nationally known leader in the Latino civil rights movement during the 1960s and began organizing protests for farmworkers to receive better wages and working conditions. According to the investigation, women said Chávez sexually abused them after grooming them, with abuse alleged to have happened when some were as young as 12 during the time he led the United Farm Workers Union.

Huerta, now 96, has since come forward with her experience, releasing a statement that said, “I have kept a secret for the last 60 years because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for,” Huerta said. “I can no longer stay silent and must share my own experiences.”

In the wake of the allegations, several local and national leaders have responded, with some calling for action and accountability while emphasizing support for farmworkers.

In March, a City Council agenda item called for hosting three community listening sessions to gather feedback about renaming places in El Paso that were named after Chavez,

In a previous statement to KFOX14/CBS4, District 2 Rep. Josh Acevedo, who placed the item on the agenda, said, “I join the community and nation in being shocked and appalled at learning of the allegations against Cesar Chavez and how we must reassess his legacy.”

Acevedo added, “I ask the public to reaffirm our support and commitment to survivors and to join me in continuing to honor those who fought and struggled in the labor movement.”

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