Fresno County Supervisors Rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworker Appreciation Day

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to strip Cesar Chavez's name from the county holiday observed every March 31, renaming it "Fresno County Farmworkers and Agriculture Appreciation Day" following national press reports detailing sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader.

The board convened a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. at the Hall of Records, 2281 Tulare St., to consider amending the County's Salary Resolution, the administrative mechanism governing which days Fresno County workers observe as paid holidays. The board had already restricted which holidays county employees could officially observe and receive funding for without special permission, making the Salary Resolution the vehicle through which the rename required formal approval.

The action followed reports by the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times detailing accusations of rape and other sexual assault by Chavez on women and girls close to him during the farmworkers movement, with the alleged abuse occurring roughly 60 years ago. The New York Times report specifically mentioned legendary activist Dolores Huerta in connection with the allegations.

Supervisor Garry Bredefeld voiced strong support for the new name. "Agriculture, farmworkers, farmers, it's all one, it's only successful when everyone is working together," he said. "I respect the hard work of farmers and farmworkers, and that's why I like the way we've titled this."

Not all supervisors were fully aligned. Supervisor Brian Pacheco raised concerns about the county acting prematurely, noting that the state is also engaged in its own renaming discussions and that Fresno County may be getting ahead of that process.

Supervisor Luis Chavez, who is not related to the civil rights leader, was absent from Monday's meeting and vote. He had previously pushed to include the word "Farmworker" in the new name, telling Action News the day was never really about one person but the work, struggle and sacrifice of the farmworker community. After the allegations surfaced, Luis Chavez released a public statement saying he believed the victims: "I believe them, we all should. My hope is that all victims come forward, and they receive the justice they deserve."

The county's announcement framing the rename stated: "Renaming the holiday offers an opportunity to honor the invaluable contributions of the countless individuals and families who sustain this vital industry."

The board's decision is part of a broader wave of local reconsiderations of Chavez-named public sites. Fresno State's president announced the official removal of a Cesar Chavez statue on campus, and the Fresno City Council voted unanimously to change Cesar Chavez Boulevard back to its original names. County, city, and state leaders across the region said they supported survivors of sexual violence while stressing that the farmworker movement itself was larger than any single individual.

The renamed holiday retains its March 31 date and remains a day off for Fresno County employees under the amended Salary Resolution.