From California to Minnesota, elected leaders and civil rights groups are scrambling to distance themselves from César Chavez’s name in the wake of sexual abuse allegations.
also are underway for dozens of schools, streets and other locations across the United States that are named for Chavez, including the national monument in Keene, California. The resulting conversations have been anything but easy as supporters grapple with conflicted feelings while sorting out how best to honor what was a pivotal labor and civil rights effort in the United States.
Feelings of disappointment, disbelief and even anger have made for an emotional cocktail for those charting the path forward. The New York Times recently reported that it found César Chavez groomed and sexually abused young girls who worked in the movement. The movement's co-founder,“It was a personal hurt and a betrayal," said Jose Luis Chavez, founder and president of the committee that has organized the César Chavez Celebration for Mesa County, Colorado, for the past decade. The committee is made up of people who have worked in the agricultural industry and whose grandparents and parents cut grapes and picked peaches. “I think that’s what my committee was feeling, and I think when we look at our community here, that is what people are still feeling,” said Jose Luis Chavez, who is not related to the famous civil rights leader."They’re feeling a lot of hurt and a lot anger.” Born from a desire to educate students about marginalized communities, the annual celebration in Grand Junction has evolved into a gathering with music, food, classic cars and high school students taking the stage to accept scholarships.The logo was adjusted to include the words “Sí, se puede” — the that translates as “Yes, it can be done.” A flurry of social media posts let people know the event would go on under a new name.The annual César Chavez and Dolores Huerta March and Rally in Tucson was scaled back and rebranded. There was no march or car show last weekend and it was billed instead as the Comunidad y Labor Unity Fair, focusing more broadly on labor rights without mentioning Chavez. Organizers with the Arizona César E. Chávez + Dolores Huerta Holiday Coalition encouraged supporters of the movement to continue showing up for one another. “Even when we thought about canceling, we chose to keep going, because this movement is bigger than a name or one person,” the group said in a social media post. “No single individual defines it. … We, the working people, do.” It’s a chorus that has resonated loudly and consistently since the allegations became public. While there have been calls in Texas and elsewhere to remove the holiday altogether, the groups that are pushing ahead are driven by a sense of duty to the overall legacy of the movement. Sehila Mota Casper, executive director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation, said the outcome will be different for every community. “It’s due process that’s needed to help grapple with this,” she said."I think that’s the best resolution that each community will have to decide for themselves, how it is that they land on a decision that best reflects their community and their values.”The annual march in Albuquerque was canceled long before the news broke and for unrelated reasons, but New Mexico's largest city is just beginning the process of sorting out name changes for roads and other public spaces. It's a complex process that will take time and involve public outreach, said City Councilor Joaquín Baca, whose district includes roads named after both César Chavez and Huerta. Even Baca and his family still are contemplating the fate of a César Chavez and Dolores Huerta poster that hangs in their home. The emails, phone calls and text messages that have poured in to city leaders include demands that everything related to César Chavez be torn down, as well as requests that a broader brush be used to recognize the rights of farmworkers and other laborers, Baca said. “It’s every side on every issue within the context of this,” he said. “So for me, it has been a lot of listening at this point.” Mota Casper, who has built a career in heritage tourism and historic preservation, said it's a chance for elected leaders and policymakers to pause and consider expanding the narrative around Chavez's legacy. She said society has a responsibility to tell “that full story,” understanding that humans are complex and fallible. “So in commemorating or glorifying them, we have to be able to acknowledge the good and the bad and take that as it comes ... but also understand that we can’t gloss over history,” she said. “We can’t simplify it just to make it easy. We have to be able to talk about it.” Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.1:02Flagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsFlagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concernsIt's a great day for Jumbo Shrimp baseball! Join us tonight for the home opening weekendGAME DAY ⚾🦐 The defending Triple-A National Champion Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp returnDuval County schools warns families about unsanctioned ‘senior skip day’ at Jacksonville BeachShould an HOA or property management company be required to post parking rules for visitors?240 new affordable housing units are for ‘people who keep this city running,’ councilman saysFights erupt at Palatka Junior-Senior High after field trip focused on mental healthThe Block Jax owner continues working on parking solutions ahead of busy sports weekendMother of teen punched during arrest says officer went too farSlow down & move over: Ride-along with JSO traffic patrol drives home important safety reminders⚾️ Opening Day + perfect weather=the ultimate Friday night in Jax0:33Study finds most ‘Mayport Shrimp’ dishes served in Jacksonville area are actually importedViral video of Dasaun Williams’ takedown prompts new use of force questionsNew ‘larger format’ Publix store in SilverLeaf features wine bar, expanded deli menu, custom pizzasNew ‘larger format’ Publix store in SilverLeaf features wine bar, expanded deli menu, custom pizzasUSS Donald Cook departs Mayport as Operation Epic Fury continuesFamily of A’hmari Robinson shares stories at candlelight vigil days after his deathDevelopers break ground on affordable housing project in St. AugustineGetting ready for the next GROW ROUND! Tower Garden maintenance...End the month off right with this lineup of events from March 26-29Big: Culture & Arts Festival brings Grammy-nominated rappers, art, culture to Gainesville▶Split Happens Ep. 9: The role of mediation in resolving legal disputes efficientlyBurden of failing roof lifted for Jacksonville veteran through volunteer project
Jose Luis Chavez U.S. News Gavin Newsom Dolores Huerta
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Yonkers Public Schools will rename Cesar Chavez School after abuse allegations emergeEight years after it was put up with pride, the name Cesar Chavez has been removed from a school in Yonkers.
Read more »
Betting $100 Every Day for a Year: Day 82 (Sweet 16 Picks)Iain MacMillan breaks down how he's betting $100 on Friday night's Sweet 16 action.
Read more »
Newsom supports bill renaming California’s Cesar Chavez DayBy KAREN VELIE Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a bill to rename California's Cesar Chavez Day to “Farmworkers Day.” Newson is scheduled to formally
Read more »
Los Angeles City Council votes to rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farm Workers DayCity Council members instructed the chief legislative analyst to conduct a full inventory of streets, buildings, parks, recreational centers, community gardens, murals and monuments dedicated to Chávez with the intention of renaming them.
Read more »
Readers discuss how to handle the news about Cesar ChavezReaders suggest others to honor in place of Cesar Chavez and also defend his movement.
Read more »
Southern California teachers grapple with Cesar Chavez’s newly complicated legacyLessons about Chavez, long seen as an iconic Latino leader and the force behind the farmworker movement, look to be changing.
Read more »