LA Leaders Set to Decide on Removing César Chávez’s Name Following Abuse Claims

LAUSD and County Board Vote on Removing César Chávez’s Name from Schools and Holidays

SAN FERNANDO, Calif. — In a pivotal decision, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education are scheduled to vote on motions aimed at removing the name of labor leader César Chávez from local holidays and educational facilities. This action follows serious allegations of systemic sexual abuse associated with Chávez, co-founder of the United Farm Workers.

The proposed measures include renaming March 31 as "Farmworkers Day" in all county and school district calendars. Additionally, Chávez’s name and likeness would be eliminated from holiday communications, shifting the focus of celebrations toward labor rights and community service. Specific schools, such as the César Chávez Learning Academies in San Fernando and César Chávez Elementary School in El Sereno, are also targeted for renaming.

The actions emerge in response to a troubling report detailing decades of alleged sexual violence and misconduct involving Chávez. The allegations gained traction following a New York Times investigation that revealed accounts from several women, including prominent UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta. Huerta herself has stated that she was raped by Chávez in 1966, noting, “I had experienced abuse and sexual violence before, and I convinced myself these were incidents that I had to ensure alone and in secret.”

In light of these developments, a motion from Supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath has called for the establishment of a 21-day plan to identify and rename all parks, streets, and monuments bearing Chávez’s name. "These allegations are grave and painful, demanding a thorough, transparent, and trauma-informed response. Survivors must be believed, supported, and treated with dignity," stated one county motion.

Chávez’s name currently adorns numerous schools, buildings, and facilities throughout California, making the implications of this decision significant both regionally and statewide. The new names for affected facilities have yet to be determined and will follow a "community-driven" process, with approvals expected by Fall 2026.

The meeting regarding these motions is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.