Fresno leaders are looking to remove César Chávez’s name from city streets following newly reported abuse allegations, marking a major shift in how the civil rights icon is honored in the Central Valley.
Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias issued a statement today saying that he will introduce an ordinance on March 26 to rename César Chávez Boulevard back to its original three names: Kings Canyon Road, Ventura Avenue and California Avenue.
The New York Times detailed the allegations that Chávez sexually abused women and girls involved in the farmworker movement. Reports include accounts of coercion, assault and abuse of minors.
The allegations come at a time just two weeks away from César Chávez Day.
Reports from ABC30 and recent investigations by the Los Angeles Times detail the claims of sexual abuse tied to Chávez. The allegations are based in part on statements from longtime labor leader Dolores Huerta.
Arias called the allegations “devastating and heartbreaking” after announcing plans to pursue removing Chávez’s name from city streets.
“It turned my stomach,” Arias said. “I think I got lightheaded. I was a little worried I’m going to fall over myself.”
For many in the Central Valley, Chávez has long symbolized progress for farmworkers. Arias, who worked in the fields as a young man, reflected on how conditions improved during Chávez’s era of activism.
“Most of my generation got to know César Chávez through the benefits of his advocacy,” Arias said. “When I started working in the fields, my brothers couldn’t take lunch breaks. They didn’t have restrooms on the field. When I ended my time at 22…we had restrooms, and we had lunch breaks and regular breaks.”
Chávez co-founded the United Farm Workers union alongside Huerta. Together, they became the face of the labor movement that transformed working conditions across California agriculture.
Huerta, who Arias described as “a matriarch of our Latino community,” issued a public statement where she said Chávez sexually abused her.
“When the abuelita sits you down at the dinner table and tells you the truth about what happened back in the day, we have a responsibility to listen,” Arias said.
Citing Huerta’s statement, Arias said he will work to reverse the renaming of streets honoring Chávez in Fresno.
“With the devastating news that Dolores Huerta gave today, it is my goal to … remove the SSR Chávez naming from the streets of Fresno,” Arias said. “I did that with a heavy heart, but with full confidence that it’s the right thing to do for our community.”
According to Arias, the cost of reverting street names would be minimal, noting that prior city funds aside for renaming were not fully used.
The allegations themselves are part of a broader investigation. Arias referenced reporting that the Los Angeles Times has been working on for years, describing it as a multi-page exposé involving victims, including one from the Central Valley.
Still, Arias emphasized that local action does not depend on further reporting.
“We don’t need a newspaper exposé to confirm that we need to eliminate the name from the street,” he said. “Dolores Huerta’s statement is far more than sufficient.”
The issue has also sparked broader conversations about how communities reconcile the accomplishments of historic figures with newly surfaced allegations.
“For us, this isn’t about political gamesmanship — it’s the right thing to do,” Arias said. “When the facts change … then our decision should also change.”He also urged the Latino community to confront difficult truths more openly.
“I think the Latino community has a long history of keeping family secrets,” Arias said. “This should be a reminder … that the days of keeping those secrets are behind us.”
Arias said that the moment is painful, particularly for those who grew up revering Chávez.
“I’m almost 50 years old, and I’m struggling with the news,” he said. “But the fact is, the matriarch has spoken, and we’re not going to elevate anyone who harmed someone else in the city.”
Even as Fresno leaders reconsider how Chávez is honored, Arias stressed that the border fight for farmworker rights must continue.
“We should continue to advocate and celebrate farmworkers and campesinos who continue to break their backs on a daily basis to put food on our tables,” he said.
As the city begins the process of reviewing street names and public recognition, Arias encouraged community members to lean on one another.
“Reach out to friends and family,” he said. “Have conversations amongst yourselves and figure out how to process this. This is devastating for all of us.”
