LA County, LAUSD approve push to rename César Chávez holiday, schools amid abuse allegations

LAUSD votes to rename schools named after César Chávez

LAUSD has voted to rename school previously honoring César Chávez.

SAN FERNANDO, Calif. - In a historic shift for the region, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the LAUSD Board of Education voted Tuesday to distance the city and county from labor icon César Chávez following a wave of harrowing sexual abuse allegations.

What we know:

The unanimous 5-0 vote by the Board of Supervisors on March 24 officially renames the March 31 holiday to "Farmworkers Day" across all county calendars and communications. 

This move aligns the county with a recent executive order from Mayor Karen Bass and a concurrent vote by the LAUSD Board of Education to remove Chávez’s name from all district facilities.

LAUSD begins process of removing Cesar Chavez name from schools

The specific new names for schools and facilities remain undecided, pending "community-driven" processes and board approval by Fall 2026.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 

• California renames César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day amid abuse allegations
• San Fernando removes César Chávez statue as cities across Southern California consider similar action
• Fallout grows as civil rights icon César Chávez faces sexual abuse allegations

The legislative overhaul was triggered by a New York Times investigation detailing decades of alleged sexual violence and systemic misconduct by the United Farm Workers (UFW) co-founder. The report included a confirmation from fellow civil rights legend Dolores Huerta, who revealed she was raped by Chávez in 1966.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fallout grows over Cesar Chavez sexual abuse allegations

Chávez's name graces a series of schools, buildings and other facilities across the region and the state.

What they're saying:

In a statement confirming she was raped by Chávez in 1966, Huerta said, "I had experienced abuse and sexual violence before, and I convinced myself these were incidents that I had to ensure alone and in secret."

SUGGESTED: 

• Dolores Huerta issues statement amid César Chávez scandal: 'My silence ends here'
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• "These allegations are grave and painful, demanding a thorough, transparent, and trauma-informed response. Survivors must be believed, supported, and treated with dignity," stated a motion co-authored by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath.

UFW faces potential lawsuits over Cesar Chavez abuse claims

Some attorneys say California laws could expose the UFW to major financial liability following allegations against founder Cesar Chavez.

Timeline:

Last Week: Mayor Karen Bass signs an executive order renaming the city's holiday; The New York Times publishes the abuse investigation.

Tuesday, March 24: LA County and LAUSD boards vote to strip the name from holidays and buildings.

Within 21 Days: The County CEO and attorney must report back on a community-driven process for renaming physical monuments and streets.

March 31: The holiday is officially observed for the first time as "Farmworkers Day."

Fall 2026: Deadline for LAUSD to approve new names for schools currently named after Chávez.

What's next:

The Board of Supervisors has directed county officials to begin a 21-day audit to identify every park, street, and monument bearing Chávez’s name. 

While the holiday name change is immediate, the physical rebranding of schools—such as the César Chávez Learning Academies in San Fernando—will involve a "community-driven" process to select new names by the end of 2026.

SUGGESTED:

• Fallout grows as civil rights icon César Chávez faces sexual abuse allegations
• San Fernando removes César Chávez statue as cities across Southern California consider similar action
• UFW faces potential lawsuits over César Chávez sexual abuse allegations
• LA looking to distance itself from Cesar Chavez