FRESNO, CA (KMJ) Local electeds are calling for the removal of Cesar Chavez’s name from street signs and more.
The city of Fresno in 2024 renamed portions of Kings Canyon, Ventura and California Avenues after the late labor leader.
But now, after bombshell allegations of sexual assaults and secret pregnancies by UFW Co-Founder Dolores Huerta, Chavez’s reputation is forever tarnished.
Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld not only called for the removal of Chavez’s name from street signs, but demands Fresno State remove a statue of Chavez from campus.
CSU Fresno President Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval issued the following statement announcing the statue will be covered up until they “determine appropriate next steps for its removal”.
At a Wednesday morning news conference, Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias called the situation “heartbreaking” and also called for the removal of Cesar Chavez Blvd. Arias was one of the most vocal proponents of the original renaming, which created a single, continuous Cesar Chavez Boulevard stretching just over 10 miles through the heart of Fresno and connecting West Fresno with downtown. Bredefeld was the only councilmember to vote against the measure.
Syndicated columnist, former KMJ guest host and valley native Ruben Navarrette was blunt in his post to Facebook calling Huerta – Chavez’s “stooge” and claiming she was “trafficked to his brother”.
Former KMJ commentator Mike DerManouel Jr. says under the current rules of cancel culture, Chavez qualifies.
Gov. Gavin Newsom was asked about the situation during an appearance Wednesday promoting student financial literacy and wealth access for women: “It’s difficult…learning more about someone I know so well in Dolores. This moment requires more reflection and understanding and we’ll do so together. We’ll talk to the caucuses. There are already discussions going on in Sacramento.”
At the same event First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom said “I’m still shaking…learning this about Dolores…standing in front of all these young women. It’s gotta end. It’s gotta end in my lifetime.”
Assemlywoman Ali Macedo (R-Tulare) posted a proposal on X to rename Cesar Chavez Day (a state holiday in California) to Farmworker Day.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The co-chairs of the California Hispanic Legislative Caucus, Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) and Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (R-Temecula), issued the following statement in response to allegations against César Chávez:
“The California Hispanic Legislative Caucus stands with the survivors who have come forward with serious allegations against César Chávez. Their courage deserves to be met with belief, dignity, and action.
“These allegations are not minor. They are deeply serious and deserve to be treated as such by every institution connected to his name and legacy. Accountability cannot be set aside in deference to legacy; no historical significance exempts any individual from that standard.
“We call on California’s leaders to act accordingly. Decisions made in the wake of these allegations must be guided by an unwavering commitment to those who were harmed, and not by the protection of reputation or the preservation of iconography or legacy.”
