Phoenix Officials Move to Strip César Chávez Name From Holiday, Public Sites Following NYT Report

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and two city councilmembers are proposing to remove César Chávez’s name from a city holiday and public assets following newly reported allegations about the labor leader’s conduct.

In a memo to the city manager, Gallego and Councilmembers Betty Guardado and Laura Pastor requested that the city’s March 31 municipal paid holiday be renamed “Farmworkers Day” and directed staff to begin renaming all city facilities bearing Chávez’s name. The proposal is scheduled for consideration by the Phoenix City Council on March 25.

The requested changes would apply to city buildings, streets, and other facilities, including César Chávez Plaza near Phoenix City Hall.

Today, we began the process to rename the City holiday, City buildings, and streets that honor Cesar Chavez. pic.twitter.com/EDoDnM9vT6

— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) March 18, 2026

In a statement, Gallego said, “What we’ve learned about Chavez’s behavior is shocking and appalling, and he does not embody the values of our city. We have a duty to honor the dignity of the survivors and move forward in a way that reflects our values.”

The proposal follows a March 17 report by The New York Times detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, and abuse involving Chávez during his leadership of the United Farm Workers, including claims involving young women and minors, as well as labor leader Dolores Huerta.

The United Farm Workers has canceled planned events in response to the report and described the allegations as “crushing” and “profoundly shocking.”

Phoenix currently observes March 31 as a municipal paid holiday honoring Chávez and maintains multiple public assets bearing his name.

No timeline or estimated cost for the renaming process was included in the memo.

The proposal follows similar actions in Arizona in recent years involving the removal or relocation of Confederate-related memorials from public property. In 2020, state officials facilitated the removal of a Confederate memorial from Wesley Bolin Plaza near the Arizona Capitol, as reported by Fox 10 Phoenix, and a Jefferson Davis Highway marker along U.S. Route 60, both of which were relocated to private property.