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Senate renames March 31 holiday to 'Farm Workers Day,' citing survivors' accounts
Summary
The Senate on March 27 adopted House Bill 1339 to change the voluntary holiday name observed on March 31 from Cesar Chavez Day to Farm Workers Day after sponsors cited recent reporting of sexual-assault allegations; the measure passed after floor amendments acknowledging continued community process.
The Senate adopted House Bill 1339 on March 27, changing the voluntary observance on March 31 from "Cesar Chavez Day" to "Farm Workers Day." Sponsors said the change honors the farmworker movement and recognizes survivors who recently came forward.
Senator Danielson, a co-prime sponsor, framed the bill as an effort to "honor the farmworker movement" while acknowledging recent reporting about abuse. "We hear them and we believe them," he said, urging prompt consideration so the state could mark the day next week without celebrating a single individual while continuing to honor the movement.
Senator Gonzalez offered amendment L004, which replaced earlier draft language with references to the United Farm Workers and added a statement acknowledging that renaming parks, buildings and other places bearing Cesar Chavez's name may proceed through additional processes. Gonzalez said the change was intended to create space for survivors, to encourage statewide conversations about name changes and to avoid signaling a temporary removal of Chavez's name.
Opponents and some colleagues urged caution and consultation across diverse Latino and farmworker communities, but supporters emphasized survivors' accounts and the importance of centering farmworker organizers and Latino culture. After floor debate the Senate adopted L004 and then advanced the bill to the calendar for third reading and final passage.
The measure was debated in the committee of the whole and ordered revised for third reading. Sponsors said the change seeks to honor Dolores Huerta and the collective work of the United Farm Workers rather than a single individual. The Senate record shows no roll-call tally in the floor voice vote reported in the transcript; the chair declared the motions adopted.
Next steps: House Bill 1339 was ordered revised and placed on the calendar for third reading, permitting final passage procedures and any additional floor amendments before final enactment.
