First Farmworkers Day Recognized Statewide

California's annual Cesar Chavez Day will no longer carry that name. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law last week renaming March 31st to Farmworkers Day, a broader tribute to the laborers Chavez spent decades organizing.

The move comes shortly after a New York Times report detailed multiple sexual abuse allegations against Chavez, including a claim involving fellow labor leader Dolores Huerta.

The renaming effort extends beyond the state holiday. Dozens of schools, streets, and public spaces named after Chavez across the country are now facing similar reviews, though those processes are being handled locally and no uniform timeline is in place.

Chavez remains a foundational figure in the American labor movement, credited with co-founding the United Farm Workers union in the 1960s and elevating the rights of agricultural workers nationally. Supporters of the new name say Farmworkers Day preserves that legacy while shifting the focus to the movement itself rather than any one individual.