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The California State Legislature is taking steps to rename Cesar Chavez Day after a controversial report revealed allegations of sexual harassment by a labor union activist.
House Speaker Robert Rivas went to the House floor Thursday to address the “disturbing” and “heartbreaking” stories the women told in Wednesday’s New York Times article.
“As someone who grew up in a farmworker union, as a son and grandson of farmworkers who raised me and my brother, as a father and as a Latino, I am shocked, angry and very disappointed, very disappointed,” said Rivas.
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The New York Times released a report detailing allegations of sexual abuse against Cesar Chavez before his death. (Frank Hurley/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
In collaboration with labor unions, Rivas announced that he is working with Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón to introduce legislation to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Workers Day.
“This time we need honesty, we need scrutiny and we need a renewed commitment to the principles that the farm workers’ movement was built on,” said Rivas. “This morning, today, we stand with the survivors, and we must recommit ourselves to justice, to dignity and to the people who make up the farm workers movement.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the California State Legislature for further comment.
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Cesar Chavez Day has been recognized as an official holiday in California since 2000 to commemorate Chavez’s birthday on March 31. It is not clear yet whether the legislature will be able to pass legislation to rename the holiday before the end of the month.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved efforts to rename places and holidays after Cesar Chavez. (Getty Images; Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who supported the legislation in response to the New York Times report, encouraged Rivas’ proposal.
“The farmworker movement has always been bigger than one man or one person. Given the shocking allegations that were first revealed yesterday, this is a welcome change. Thank you, @CASpeakerRivas and Senate President @MoniqueLimonCA, for your leadership,” Newsom wrote on X.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also announced at a press conference Thursday that she signed a proclamation honoring Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Workers Day in her city.
“On behalf of the city of Los Angeles, I am proud to introduce and sign a proclamation today to rename the last Monday in March as Farmworker Day,” Bass said.
“I also want to tell you that I have been in contact with the Chavez family, and they support our decision to rename this holiday. This March 30th and every last Monday in March forward will give Angelenos an opportunity to reflect on how the struggle of farmworkers has uplifted working people everywhere.”
Many Democratic Alliance politicians have spoken out in support of Chavez’s alleged victims. (Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)
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Several California Democratic politicians have issued statements trying to distance themselves from Chavez despite the party’s longtime support for the labor union activist.
