Los Angeles County Moves Forward to Reevaluate Cesar Chavez Honors and Establish Farmworkers Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved two motions to review County recognitions of Cesar Chavez and rename the holiday as Farmworkers Day, which will continue to be observed on the last Monday in March. The motions were introduced by Board Chair Hilda L. Solis, with Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn as co-authors.

The actions follow recent survivor testimonies, including those shared by labor leader Dolores Huerta, describing abuse involving Chavez. These revelations, though deeply painful, challenges the County to ensure recognitions reflect accountability, dignity, and the contributions of the farmworker movement as a whole. Survivors’ voices must be prioritized, supported, and treated with care throughout the process.

Generations of farmworkers organized to improve working conditions, expand labor rights, and secure fair wages. Their collective efforts built a movement rooted in dignity, solidarity, and justice. Women and community leaders, including Huerta and Larry Itliong, played critical roles in advancing labor rights and social justice. The achievements of the farmworker movement extend far beyond any one individual, shaping a legacy that continues to benefit California and the nation today.

“The County of Los Angeles has a firm responsibility to ensure any public recognitions reflect our shared values of justice, dignity, and respect, and today’s actions uphold those values,” said Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “By centering the experiences of survivors, highlighting the contributions of farmworkers past and present, and acknowledging the courage of women and community leaders who built this movement, we can honor the true legacy of the farmworker movement while confronting difficult truths.”

One motion directs the County Chief Executive Office, in coordination with County Counsel and other relevant departments, to develop a community-driven process to review and rename County assets that currently bear Chavez’s name. This includes parks, streets, County facilities, real property, programs, monuments, and civic artwork. The process is required to include multilingual outreach and culturally competent engagement, ensure trauma-informed participation without fear or stigma, and involve impacted communities, residents, and nonprofit organizations. A report back is required within 21 days outlining recommendations for renaming, community engagement, and implementation.

“My heart is with those who have bravely spoken out, and with those who have carried this pain on their own for far too long. Centering survivors means ensuring they are heard, supported, and believed,” said Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “We cannot look away from what has been revealed. We must meet this moment with honesty, accountability, and a commitment to move forward in a way that puts survivors first.”

A second motion renames the County-observed Cesar Chavez Day holiday to Farmworkers Day, beginning this year. This aligns with legislation announced by Robert Rivas and Monique Limón, which officially declared the state holiday formerly honoring Chavez as Farmworkers Day. The motion directs the Chief Executive Office to provide guidance to all departments regarding the March 30, 2026 holiday, including removing Chavez’s name and likeness from County events, communications, and materials, and refocusing programming on farmworker justice, labor rights, and community service.

“The abuses of one man should not diminish the extraordinary sacrifices and accomplishments of the farmworker movement. This past week has been heartbreaking for so many people, but renaming this holiday ‘Farmworkers Day’ celebrates the courage of the workers, families, and organizers who changed this country for the better and reminds us all that this legacy belongs to a collective—not to any one individual,” said Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. 

These actions mark a broader commitment to acknowledging the full legacy and truths of the farmworker movement, centering survivors, and ensuring that County recognitions reflect both justice and the collective contributions of the many leaders, workers, and advocates who shaped it.