Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to quickly sign the bill.

The change comes after allegations became public last week that Chavez had sexually abused girls and women during his days building a major farmworker labor rights movement in the 1960s in California’s agricultural heartland. Among those who accused him was Dolores Huerta, who co-led the movement that eventually became the United Farm Workers.

The state’s effort to rename the holiday is part of a wave of other moves to alter memorials honoring the man who, in the 1960s and 1970s, helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers and had been admired by many Democratic leaders. The swift and sweeping effort to erase Chavez’s name from public life was previously unthinkable, as his status had only grown more iconic since his death in 1993.

Republican Sen. Suzette Valladares said Thursday that her family built a life in California by working the fields and that the movement brought together workers from different backgrounds.

“This is not about one person. This is not about one narrative,” she said. “It’s about honoring generations of sacrifice, of resilience and hope.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limon said honoring farmworkers is especially important in the face of a series of federal raids across the state last year. A worker in her district died after being chased by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last summer, Limon said.

“His death is a reminder of how much farmworkers risk every day to put food on our table,” she said before the vote. “Our farmworkers remind us that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

California was the first state to designate Chavez’s birthday, March 31, as a holiday to honor the civil rights leader nearly 30 years ago. The Legislature then, in 2000, passed a bill to make it an official paid day off for state employees and require that students learn about his legacy and his role in the labor movement in California. The legislation passed Thursday didn’t address the curriculum requirement. State leaders said they’re in conversation with school officials to adjust lesson plans.

The California bill also passed in the Assembly with bipartisan support on Monday.

“We cannot ignore wrongdoing and we should not continue to celebrate a single person when the movement itself is so much bigger,” Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry said before the vote Monday.

Since the allegations came to light, California State University, Fresno, has covered up Chavez’s statue on campus, while cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento have taken steps to erase his name from public landmarks. Some advocated for Huerta’s name to replace Chavez’s, and several states already said they won’t observe the day.

As his birthday approaches, cities across the country have remade or canceled annual celebrations to honor him. In Tucson last weekend, the annual César Chavez and Dolores Huerta March and Rally were scaled back and rebranded. There was no march or car show, and it was billed instead as the Comunidad y Labor Unity Fair to focus more broadly on labor rights without mentioning Chavez.

In Grand Junction, Colorado, the organizers of the annual event in Mesa County had already printed flyers and T-shirts, all bearing Chavez’s name. There has been a flurry of social media posts in recent days to let people know the event will go on Saturday as the Sí, Se Puede Celebration instead.

In El Paso, Texas, March 31 will be celebrated as the Community and Labor Heritage Day.

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    In San Bernardino, the campus formerly known as Cesar E. Chavez Middle School has already begun removing visible references to its namesake. The school’s signage has been covered, and its website now temporarily identifies it as “Middle School #318” while officials review next steps.

    Elsewhere, several events that traditionally honored Chavez have either been postponed, renamed or canceled. In Riverside, where a bronze statue of Chavez stands along the downtown Main Street pedestrian mall and a community center bears his name, some local leaders are now calling for changes.

    The reaction comes in a region deeply connected to Chavez’s legacy. In 1970, he signed the United Farm Workers’ first contract with a table-grape grower in the Riverside County desert—an early milestone in the labor movement he helped build.

    The San Bernardino City Unified School District announced Thursday, March 19, that it would temporarily remove Chavez’s name from the middle school “to allow time for thoughtful review” before the school board makes a final decision.

    In Riverside, public response has been mixed. Some residents passing the downtown statue declined to comment, while others questioned whether it should remain. Alanis Lopez, 22, said the situation highlights the risks of tying movements too closely to individuals.

    “I think that’s why we shouldn’t center movements around people,” Lopez said. “Maybe it’s better to recognize the farmworkers themselves rather than one person.”

    Gracie Torres, a Western Municipal Water District board member who is running for Riverside City Council’s Ward 2 seat, said the allegations were difficult to process and called for reconsidering how Chavez is publicly honored.

    “It hits close to home,” Torres said. “As a Latina, losing figures you grew up looking up to is painful. But it also gives us an opportunity to refocus on the people whose sacrifices made the movement possible.”

    Torres suggested that March 31, widely observed as Cesar Chavez Day, could instead be reframed as a day of service dedicated to farmworkers and immigrant communities.

    Several organizations have already begun making that shift. The Riverside Latino Network announced it would postpone its annual Chavez commemorative breakfast, originally scheduled for March 30.

    In a statement, the group’s president, Alex Cortez, acknowledged the broader labor movement Chavez helped inspire while emphasizing the need for reflection.

    “We are asking how to move forward in a way that honors the spirit of the movement while also acknowledging difficult truths,” Cortez said. “Our community still faces challenges, and focusing on education and future generations is one way we can continue that work.”

    The city of Riverside also pulled a planned proclamation recognizing Cesar Chavez Day from its March 24 City Council agenda. Instead, officials said the city will recognize United Farmworkers Day while gathering public input on whether to rename buildings or reconsider monuments tied to Chavez.

    At Moreno Valley College, a scholarship ceremony connected to Chavez’s name has been canceled, though recipients will still receive their awards, according to college officials.

    Cal Poly Pomona is also reviewing the future of its César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education. In a message to campus, university leaders said they plan to consult students, faculty and staff before making any decisions.

    In Pomona, longtime community organizers have already begun adjusting plans. The Latino and Latina Roundtable has renamed its annual breakfast event and removed Chavez’s name from the program.

    Organizer Jose Calderon said the moment should be used to confront broader issues while continuing the work of the labor movement.

    “We stand in solidarity with survivors and remain committed to the values of justice, dignity and respect,” Calderon said. “This is not about one individual—it’s about the resilience of the community.”

    Additional events planned for April in Pomona will now focus on healing, education and cultural traditions, with proceeds supporting student scholarships.

    At Cal State San Bernardino, organizers confirmed that the university’s annual Cesar Chavez Memorial Breakfast has been canceled for 2026. Professor Enrique Murillo Jr. said the decision was made after learning of the allegations.

    “The movement has never been about one person,” Murillo said in a joint statement with community partners. “It’s about the collective struggle and dignity of the people. We have to be willing to face difficult truths and center those who have been harmed.”

    As institutions across the region weigh next steps, many leaders say the focus is shifting toward honoring farmworkers broadly—rather than a single figure—while addressing the concerns raised in recent days.

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