Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs reacted to this week's news reports of sexual abuse by civil rights icon César Chávez by deciding not to issue a proclamation this year recognizing March 31 as César Chávez Day.
"The Governor's Office is deeply concerned by the troubling allegations,'' said Hobbs' press aide Liliana Soto. "As a social worker who worked with homeless youths and victims of domestic violence, Gov. Hobbs takes allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior against women and minors very seriously.''
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and all of those affected,'' Soto said.
The decision is a departure for Hobbs, who issued César Chávez Day proclamations in 2024 and 2025.
Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is supporting a proposal to rename César Chávez Day following the stunning abuse allegations against the revered labor leader.
Newsom said Thursday he will move quickly on legislation if it passes to rename March 31 as Farmworkers Day.
Political leaders in states and cities, including Tucson, are considering similar moves after Dolores Huerta, the co-founder with Chávez of the United Farm Workers of America union, and others told the New York Times that Chávez sexually abused them, including two women who said the abuse started when they were 12 and 13 in the 1970s. The New York Times' reports from its multi-year investigation were published Wednesday.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office says he also won’t issue a proclamation honoring César Chávez Day this year.
César Chavez in 1965.
There also are calls to alter memorials honoring the man who helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers.
Chávez, who was born in Yuma, died in 1993, at age 66, in San Luis, Arizona.
