Organizers cancel César Chavez Day events after sexual abuse allegations surface.

Multiple organizations have canceled or postponed César Chavez Day events following the emergence of serious sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader.

“Arreola also questioned the timing of the claims”

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The United Farm Workers (UFW), the union Chavez co-founded, announced it would not participate in any March 31 celebrations, citing "deeply troubling allegations" that Chavez "behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization's values."

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Cities across the country including Tucson, Houston, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi have also canceled their annual marches and events honoring Chavez.

The César Chavez Foundation similarly stated it was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the allegations and is working to establish safe processes for potential victims.

These cancellations come just weeks before the annual observance of César Chavez Day on March 31, which has been recognized as a state holiday in California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, and Washington since 2000, and was designated a federal commemorative holiday by President Barack Obama in 2014.

The sexual abuse allegations against Chavez are described as particularly serious, involving the abuse of young women and minors.

According to multiple sources, a New York Times investigation found that Chavez allegedly groomed and sexually abused girls who were involved in the farmworker movement, with some accounts indicating he began grooming them as young as 8 or 9 years old.

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Specific allegations include claims from Ana Murguia, daughter of a Chavez ally, who alleged the labor leader began sexually abusing her when she was 13, and Debra Rojas, daughter of another ally, who alleged abuse began when she was 12.

Dolores Huerta, Chavez's co-founder and close ally for over 30 years, revealed she was among those who experienced abuse, stating she was "manipulated and pressured" and "forced against my will" during encounters in the 1960s.

The allegations also include accounts from other women in the labor movement who claim they were assaulted or pressured for sex, with some reporting they feared coming forward due to concerns about damaging the farmworker movement and Chavez's revered image.

In response to the allegations, both the United Farm Workers and the César Chávez Foundation have issued statements expressing shock and announcing concrete actions.

The UFW stated that "these allegations have been profoundly shocking" and that the organization "needs some time to get this right, including to ensure robust, trauma-informed services are available to those who may need it."

Rather than participating in César Chávez Day activities, the UFW is calling on supporters to "take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers or empower vulnerable people."

The union is also working to establish "an external, confidential, independent channel" for individuals who may have experienced harm caused by Chavez during the union's early days.

Similarly, the César Chávez Foundation announced it is "deeply shocked and saddened" and is working with leaders in the Farmworker Movement to "be responsive to these allegations, support the people who may have been harmed by his actions, and ensure we are united and guided by our commitment to justice and community empowerment."

Both organizations have emphasized they do not have firsthand knowledge of the specific allegations but consider them serious enough to warrant immediate action and structural response.

The fallout from the allegations has extended beyond the UFW and Foundation to include numerous government entities and community organizations.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs' office confirmed that the state would not recognize César Chávez Day this year, following the lead of the organizations that Chavez founded.

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In Texas, multiple cities including San Antonio, Houston, and Corpus Christi have canceled their annual marches commemorating Chavez.

The Fresno Unified School District announced it would not participate in planned César Chávez celebrations, stating "Due to recent allegations about César Chávez, district officials have determined that students and staff will not be part of the program or the march afterward to the César Chávez Adult Education Center."

Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna requested an agenda item to potentially rename César Chávez Day to "Sacramento County Farm Workers Appreciation Day" for 2026 and seek alternative dates moving forward.

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he and his partner "have the backs of these survivors" and would consider changing the name of César Chávez Day.

Even some cities that had planned to rename streets or parks in Chavez's honor are reconsidering those plans in light of the allegations.

The controversy surrounding Chavez's legacy has sparked broader discussions about historical memory, the separation between movements and their leaders, and the future of memorials honoring the labor leader.

While Chavez is widely credited with transforming farmworker conditions through boycotts, strikes, and organizing efforts that led to landmark legislation, his legacy is now being reevaluated in light of the serious abuse allegations.

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Many scholars and activists have emphasized that "one person does not define a movement," arguing that the farmworker movement should continue to be honored even as Chavez's personal failings are acknowledged.

However, questions remain about what should happen to the numerous streets, schools, parks, and monuments named after Chavez across the country.

Some Latino leaders have expressed concern that the allegations could be used to undermine the farmworker movement, with one stating, "I feel that they want to take away from us the few leaders that Latinos has."

Meanwhile, others argue that honoring the movement means "facing painful truths and continuing the work for justice with honesty and humanity."

The César Chávez Foundation has asked for "patience as we learn more" while continuing its work to "protect and uplift the families and communities that we serve," suggesting that the organization will need to navigate complex questions about how to reconcile Chavez's contributions with his alleged abuses.