HOUSTON – The Houston Independent School District announced Thursday that it will no longer observe César Chávez Day on March 30.
Instead, the district said it will observe and designate March 30 as Farmworkers Day.
This change comes after Chávez, the long-admired Latino icon who led the United Farm Workers union, was accused of grooming and sexually abusing young girls who worked in the movement.
Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta revealed that she, along with several others, was sexually abused by Chavez, who died more than three decades ago.
In a statement released Wednesday, Huerta said she stayed silent for 60 years out of concern that her words would hurt the farmworker movement.
Huerta described two sexual encounters with Chavez, one where she was “manipulated and pressured” and another where she was “forced against my will.”
“I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was life’s work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights and I wasn’t going to let César or anyone else get in the way,” she said.
Huerta, who is a labor rights legend in her own right, joined Chavez in 1962 to co-found the National Farm Workers Association, which became the United Farm Workers of America.
Huerta said she did not know that Chavez hurt other women and condemned his actions but emphasized that the farmworker movement is bigger than one person.
“César’s actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people,” Huerta said in her statement. “We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever.”
Chavez’s family said in a statement that they are devastated by the news and “wish peace and healing to the survivors and commend their courage to come forward.”
“We carry our own memories of the person we knew. Someone whose life included work and contributions that matter deeply to many people,” the statement said.
HISD is only one of the latest schools to make changes regarding Chavez.
Since the allegations, several César Chavez celebrations in San Francisco, Texas and in his home state of Arizona were canceled at the request of the César Chavez Foundation.
Gov. Greg Abbott said the state will not observe the César Chávez Day holiday and that he will urge the state Legislature to remove it altogether.
HISD said it has not yet changed the name of Chavez High School, but said it will follow its established renaming process. Here’s the district’s full statement:
“Houston ISD is aware of the recent allegations involving César Chávez. The District recognizes that allegations of this nature can be deeply painful for victims and survivors, and we are mindful of that impact.
In light of this, the HISD Board of Managers announced at this evening’s Board Meeting that the student and staff holiday currently scheduled for March 30, 2026, will be observed and designated as Farmworkers Day.
Regarding potential renaming of Chavez High School, the District will follow its established process. There will be time to engage in a thoughtful and timely process, including HISD families. Any recommendations for renaming, as well as changes to next year’s academic calendar, will be brought before the Board.
HISD will share more information in the coming weeks."