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While March 31 is Cesar Chavez Day, one might be hard-pressed to find a university that will mark the occasion today.
In the span of the last two weeks, universities across the nation have essentially erased the farmworker civil rights leader and labor organizer from existence.
His name has been removed from buildings; his statues hauled away into storage. Celebrations in his honor have been renamed to generic “farmworkers rights” events.
The cancelations were spurred by a lengthy March 18 article in theNew York Times headlined: “Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years.”
The report accused the United Farm Workers co-founder of grooming and sexually abusing girls as young as 12 and 13 in the 1970s, as well as sexually assaulting his union co-founder, Dolores Huerta.
“The New York Times has uncovered extensive evidence to support their accusations and those raised by several other women against Mr. Chavez, the United Farm Workers co-founder who died in 1993 at the age of 66,” the Times reported.
“The abuse allegations appear to be part of a larger pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Chavez, much of which has never been publicly revealed,” the newspaper reported.
“The Times investigation found that Mr. Chavez also used many of the women who worked and volunteered in his movement for his own sexual gratification. His most prominent female ally in the movement, Dolores Huerta, said in an interview that he sexually assaulted her, a disclosure she has never before made publicly,” it reported.
Within mere days, universities across the United States removed and renamed tributes to Chavez in response.
Chavez had symbolized farmworker rights through boycotts, marches, and advocacy for better agricultural labor conditions, but universities’ leaders said they are now prioritizing survivor support and institutional values over preserving his name on campus.
Michigan State University renamed its “César Chávez and Delores Huerta Commemorative Celebration” to the “Farmworker Appreciation Commemorative Celebration.”
“This name change reflects the university’s gratitude for farmworkers as valued, contributing members of our community, and better aligns with the spirit of appreciation and recognition around which the event is organized,” university spokesperson Amber McCann said in an email to The College Fix.
“After listening to community feedback, the university believes it is important to hold space for gathering and remains focused on recognizing the history, challenges, resilience, and ongoing progress of farmworkers across Michigan and the country,” she said.
Fresno State University covered and then removed altogether a prominent 1996 statue of Chavez from its Peace Garden within days of the Times article.
“At Fresno State, our values are grounded in dignity, respect, and care for one another. When we become aware of reports of such a serious nature, we must acknowledge their weight and hold space for those who have been harmed,” its president said in a statement.
Fresno State’s media affairs division told The College Fix: “At this time, the university is not conducting interviews regarding this matter.”
At California State University San Marcos, incoming freshmen have long been told that rubbing a prominent statue of Chavez on campus was good luck. Now it’s gone, removed a few days after the Times article. The university this month also renamed its Cesar Chavez Day of Service to North County Day of Service.
“Cal State San Marcos will always stand and support survivors of sexual assault and abuse,” according to a statement from the university.
At San Francisco State University, workers covered a mural depicting Chavez and the United Farm Workers Aztec eagle symbol. His name has also been covered on the Student Center building, XPress Magazine reported.
Additional universities have taken decisive action. Sonoma State covered a mural and removed portraits of Chavez. Texas State University canceled a Cesar Chavez Day lecture.
In addition to universities, many K-12 schools have also wiped his name. Various parades, marches, and celebrations nationwide have also been postponed, renamed, or canceled outright.
The United Farm Workers union itself announced it would not participate in events named after its founder, describing the allegations as “deeply troubling” and incompatible with its values.
“Instead, we call on our allies and supporters to take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers or empower vulnerable people in their own communities,” the group stated.
Few prominent public defenses of Chavez have surfaced in the immediate wake of the allegations. Some observers on social media and in commentary pieces have criticized the speed of institutional erasures as potentially overlooking historical nuance or due process.
