Newsom Signs Bill Renaming California’s César Chávez Day

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill to rename the state’s holiday honoring disgraced civil rights leader César Chávez Day to “Farmworkers Day” on Thursday.

Several states have taken similar steps to remove Chávez’s name from official charters and celebrations following accusations that the late union leader sexually abused young girls.

Two women accused Chávez of abusing them when they were children in a recent New York Times article. Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Chávez, also revealed she was sexually abused by the late civil rights leader. The 95-year-old said both assaults resulted in pregnancies.

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The California legislation, introduced by state Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón in February, passed the California Senate with bipartisan support on Thursday right before the annual holiday.

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Newsom will officially declare the new holiday’s name on March 31.

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