More than 25 years ago, California became the first state to recognize Cesar Chavez Day as an official holiday honoring the activist who galvanized the movement for farmworker rights.
Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat, signed legislation in 2000 that made March 31, Mr. Chavez’s birthday, a paid day off for California state employees and required the state to develop curriculum that would teach students about Mr. Chavez’s legacy as a founder of the United Farm Workers union. Supporters argued that it honored “an American hero and champion of human rights,” according to a legislative bill analysis.
Several other states — including Arizona, Utah, Texas, Colorado, Oregon and Minnesota — also have recognized Cesar Chavez Day on March 31.
On Tuesday, however, Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona became the first governor to stop recognizing the holiday after the United Farm Workers, the union that Mr. Chavez founded, acknowledged revelations that were being reported by The New York Times. Ms. Hobbs, a Democrat, said through a spokesperson on Wednesday that her thoughts were “with the victims.”
It was not immediately clear whether other states would take similar actions. Because Cesar Chavez Day was created by state law in California, lawmakers would need to act to change how the holiday is recognized.
The effort to create California’s holiday was led by Richard Polanco, a Democratic state lawmaker who said he revered Mr. Chavez’s determination to bring dignity to workers who had faced abuse and discrimination.
“My wanting to celebrate this individual was not just the individual, but to celebrate what the farmworker movement represented and what he represented,” Mr. Polanco said in an oral history interview in 2021.
President Barack Obama signed a proclamation in 2011 designating every March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day in honor of his work “launching one of our Nation’s most inspiring social movements.”
Mr. Obama called on Americans to honor Mr. Chavez through acts of community service, but the federal designation is a commemorative observance, not a government holiday.
Laurel Rosenhall is a Sacramento-based reporter covering California politics and government for The Times.
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