'Agriculture Appreciation Day'? Fresno County weighs axing Cesar Chavez Day

Thaddeus Miller, The Fresno Bee on Mar 19, 2026

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FRESNO, Calif. — The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has called a special meeting next week to decide whether to strip civil rights leader Cesar Chavez from the eponymous holiday annually March 31.

The special meeting is 11:30 a.m. Monday in the chambers of the Hall of Records.

The board announced the special meeting Wednesday afternoon, hours after reports from The New York Times and Los Angeles Times detailed accusations of rape and other sexual assault by Chavez on women and girls close to him during the farmworkers movement about 60 years ago.

The Fresno County board agenda says supervisors will consider changing Cesar Chavez Day every March 31 to “Fresno County Agriculture Appreciation Day.”

“Renaming the holiday offers an opportunity to honor the invaluable contributions of the countless individuals and families who sustain this vital industry,” the county’s announcement said.

The eponymous holiday for Chavez is among those approved by the board, which last year restricted which holidays are allowed to be officially observed and funded without special permission by county employees. It is also a day off for many of them.

Fresno County, Fresno city and state leaders said they supported the survivors of sexual violence, and stressed the farmworker movement was greater than one man. Many distanced themselves from Chavez while attempting to support the efforts toward farmworker rights.

Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez, who is not related to the civil rights leader, released a statement Wednesday morning after the news stories surfaced. He said he supported the victims.

“I believe them, we all should,” he said. “My hope is that all victims come forward, and they receive the justice their deserve.”

The county seemed to be moving in the same direction as many municipalities and public agencies. The Fresno City Council appeared headed toward removing Chavez from the 10-mile boulevard that bears his name, Fresno State’s president said the statue there would be torn down and Sacramento leaders planned to strip his name from a prominent plaza, to name a few.

State leaders made similar moves on Thursday. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, a Democrat, took to the floor of his chamber Thursday to announce he would work with Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón, a Democrat, to change the name of the holiday honoring Chavez to Farmworkers Day.

(The Sacramento Bee contributed to this report.)