Arizona leaders react swiftly to César Chávez sexual abuse allegations

PHOENIX — Hours after the allegations against César Chávez came to light, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the state holiday honoring the civil rights icon was canceled.

The announcement came after The New York Times reported allegations of sexual abuse, including incidents involving minors, against Arizona native Chávez, the founder of the National Farm Workers Association. The allegations have been publicly acknowledged by the César Chávez Foundation and the United Farm Workers.

“As a social worker who worked with homeless youth and victims of domestic violence, Gov. Hobbs takes allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior against women and minors very seriously,” Hobbs’ press secretary Liliana Soto said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those affected.”

César Chávez Day was observed as a commemorative holiday in Arizona on March 31.

Lawmakers and officials across the state issued statements calling for a re-examination of how Arizona honors his legacy.

Federal lawmakers call for accountability

U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego called the reports “shocking and disappointing about a leader that I for many years had looked up to, like so many Latinos growing up in the U.S.”

“But as I have said many times this year — no one, no matter how powerful, is above accountability, especially when it comes to abusing young women,” Gallego said. “The farmworkers’ movement has always been bigger than any one man.”

U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, whose Tucson-area district includes a large agricultural community, said she stands with survivors “unequivocally.”

“I know that there is a profound sense of grief in our community today that may bring mixed emotions,” Grijalva said. “The betrayal of trust by a leader who had such a significant impact on our community is difficult to comprehend.”

“It is important to remember that one person does not define a movement,” she added. “We, the people, are the movement.”

State lawmakers say accountability strengthens values

The Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus, led by co-chairs Rep. Mariana Sandoval, D-Goodyear, and Sen. Catherine Miranda, D-Phoenix, issued a joint statement commending the courage of those who came forward, including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta.

“The behavior described is reprehensible and must be unequivocally condemned,” the caucus said. “There is no place in our movement, or any movement, for abuse, coercion, or the exploitation of power.”

The caucus added: “Addressing harm within our history does not weaken our ‘lucha’, it strengthens it by aligning our actions with our values.”

Senate Democratic Leader Priya Sundareshan and House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos released a joint statement on behalf of Arizona Legislative Democrats.

“These allegations are painful and difficult, especially for a community that has long looked to this legacy with pride,” the statement said. “But let us be clear: There is no place, ever, for abuse or exploitation of power.”

The Democratic leaders said allegations involving young women or minors “must be confronted with honesty and transparency.”

“Every leader, no matter their stature, must be held accountable,” they said. “We stand unequivocally with survivors and remain committed to ensuring they are supported, heard and never silenced.”

Cities cancel celebrations, consider changing Chavez namesakes

Phoenix Councilwoman Ann O’Brien said she will work with colleagues to “begin an open and deliberate review of César Chávez Day and the César Chávez Plaza to ensure that the way we commemorate figures in our public spaces reflects our community’s values of justice and accountability.”

“Honoring a legacy cannot come at the expense of the dignity and truth of those who came forward,” she said.

Phoenix Councilwoman Laura Pastor said the city is still looking for ways to honor Chavez in the future.

“As a city, we have a responsibility to take a look at how we honor this legacy, including our recognition of César Chávez Day,” Pastor said. “Our community deserves a thoughtful and careful approach to how we honor this legacy moving forward.”

The city of Tempe announced it would rename the March 31 holiday.

March 31 holiday to be renamed

We are devastated to learn of the allegations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez. We stand with those who have suffered sexual abuse and are renaming our Cesar Chavez holiday.

As Tempe has a paid holiday for employees, we will meet with our… pic.twitter.com/3sZ98zMmeu

— City of Tempe, AZ (@Tempegov) March 18, 2026

The city of El Mirage renamed its holiday to the Inaugural El Mirage Day of Service, the West Valley suburb announced Wednesday.

Chicanos Por La Causa, an Arizona-based Latino advocacy group, announced Wednesday they were halting any recognition of Chavez.

“We have always stood, and will continue to stand, on the side of survivors and the pursuit of truth and justice. For too long, survivors in our society have been forced to live in undeserved shame and shadows, suffering in silence, dismissed and diminished, while perpetrators in power have gone unchecked and emboldened to often offend again without consequences. This must stop,” Chicanos Por La Causa said in a press release. 

“In light of these disturbing reports, which are substantiated as more survivors step forward, we are halting any and all formal recognition of Cesar Chavez. Let us be clear: Our work has never been defined by one individual. It is rooted in a broader movement shaped by many leaders, including Dolores Huerta and countless others who have advanced opportunity and equity for our communities. And as a trusted organization, we will continue to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.”

What happens to schools named after the labor icon?

The Phoenix Union High School District, which operates César Chávez High School in Laveen, said it is “deeply saddened and shocked” by the allegations but will observe the scheduled holiday this year to avoid disruption.

“In addition to the need for Governing Board action to remove the holiday from our calendar, we must consider student, staff and family pre-planned personal activities on this date,” the district said.

The district said it remains committed to honoring farmworkers who organized for safer conditions and fair wages and is “thankful for leaders such as Dolores Huerta, who continue to lead through truth-telling.”

Officials said they “look forward to working alongside our community to examine this issue further and make any necessary decisions to our calendar and our high school’s namesake in Laveen as more information comes forward.”

As for Arizona State University, which houses the César E. Chávez Leadership Institute, they are not announcing changes.

“We are aware and reviewing any action the university may take,” said an ASU spokesperson.

Chávez was Arizona-born

Born in Yuma, Chávez grew up in a Mexican-American family that traveled around California picking lettuce, grapes, cotton and other seasonal crops. In 1962, Chávez and Dolores Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which became the United Farm Workers of America.

Chávez is known nationally for his early organizing in the fields, a hunger strike, a grape boycott and eventual victory in getting growers to negotiate with farmworkers for better wages and working conditions. He died in San Luis in 1993 at age 66.

California became the first state to establish March 31, as a day commemorating the labor leader. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama proclaimed March 31 as national César Chávez Day.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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