Bill seeks to repeal Minnesota Cesar Chavez Day
Minnesota Rep. María Isa Pérez‑Vega (DFL–St. Paul) has introduced a bill to repeal Cesar Chavez Day as a state observance after a New York Times investigation detailed allegations that Chavez sexually abused women and underage girls, including co‑organizer Dolores Huerta. House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson called the report "horrifying" and said Democrats believe the women and are prepared to move the repeal quickly, framing it as a response to yet another powerful man abusing his position. House Republicans publicly backed the move, saying they are "absolutely in support of renaming Cesar Chavez Day" and want to pass the bill as soon as possible, signaling rare bipartisan alignment. Chavez, long celebrated for organizing farmworkers in the 1960s, has been honored in Minnesota with a March 31 day of recognition; the bill would unwind that state‑level symbolism but does not itself create a replacement observance. For Twin Cities schools, unions and community groups that have built annual programming around Cesar Chavez Day, this sets up an immediate reckoning over how to handle 2026 events and whether to shift recognition to farmworker justice more broadly or to other leaders untainted by abuse claims.
📌 Key Facts
- Rep. María Isa Pérez‑Vega (DFL–St. Paul) introduced a bill to repeal Cesar Chavez Day in Minnesota.
- The move follows a New York Times investigation alleging sexual abuse and "predatory behavior" by Chavez toward women and girls, including Dolores Huerta and two women who say they were abused as minors.
- House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson and the Minnesota House GOP caucus both voiced support for moving the repeal quickly, creating bipartisan backing to end the state observance traditionally held March 31.
📊 Relevant Data
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the Hispanic or Latino population in Minnesota constitutes 6.7% of the total population, providing context for the cultural significance of Cesar Chavez Day in the state.
U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Minnesota — U.S. Census Bureau
Cesar Chavez Day was established in Minnesota in 2014 through legislation (HF 1631/SF1509) to honor Chavez's legacy and celebrate the contributions of Latino communities, now codified as MN statute 10.555.
Cesar Chavez Day in Minnesota, NACCS National Conference in MN — Minnesota Department of Education
Cesar Chavez opposed illegal immigration, viewing undocumented workers as strikebreakers who drove down wages for farm workers, and he supported campaigns against illegal immigration that sometimes involved violence along the border.
Cesar Chavez - Wikipedia — Wikipedia
In the U.S., 5.6% of women (nearly 7 million) and 2.5% of men (nearly 3 million) have reported some type of sexual violence by a workplace-related perpetrator, highlighting gender disparities in workplace sexual violence.
National Prevalence of Sexual Violence by a Workplace-Related Perpetrator — PMC (PubMed Central)
The New York Times investigation revealed allegations that Cesar Chavez sexually abused multiple women and girls, including Dolores Huerta and two minors, as part of a pattern of misconduct within the United Farm Workers union.
Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years — The New York Times
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