House votes to repeal César Chávez Day week before its annual date

César Chávez Day is March 31 to celebrate the state’s Latino community.

Eight days before the end of the month, legislators are moving quickly to remove the statute after a multi-year New York Times investigation released last week shows the farm labor leader allegedly groomed and sexually abused girls who were part of his movement.

An urgency was declared on the House Floor Monday and HF4541 was passed 129-0. It now goes to the Senate, where supporters hope the bill can be addressed this week.

Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL-St. Paul) is the bill sponsor.

“Honoring César Chávez for the Latino community, Minnesota would be incongruous given the five-year investigation into allegations of assault made by women who were little girls at the time,” she said at a midday news conference with local Latine community leaders. “Instead of myself and fellow legislators of our Latine community and of our colleagues standing with that statute, we hear the calls of Dolores Huerta, a 96-year-old woman who exemplifies courage and deserves restorative justice with all of our communities after her 60 years of silently living with this trauma.”

Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers Association with Chávez, said he raped her in the 1960s and she bore two children from him.

“Our community is showing the nation how to respond to sexual violence and violence in all of its forms. We are showing what it means to listen and believe survivors when they break their silence. We believe them, we stand with them, and we hold individuals and institutions accountable,” said Rep. Liish Kozlowski (DFL-Duluth), co-chair of the House People of Color and Indigenous Caucus.

A major street on St. Paul’s West Side, the heart of the city’s Latino community, is named for Chávez, who died in 1993.

Mayor Kaohly Her said the city is looking to work with stakeholders and community leaders about changing the name.

Emilia González Avalos, executive director of Unidos MN, made clear the allegations will not derail the labor rights movement.

“We are repealing César Chávez Day because we have a higher bar. A higher bar for truth, a higher bar for accountability, and a higher bar for anyone whose name we choose to elevate, honor and institutionalize. We are saying without apology that no legacy, no legacy, is beyond question. That no movement is exempt from critique and accountability. And when it comes to safety and dignity of children, there are no exceptions.”

Added Pérez-Vega: “It’s not about one man who makes a movement; it’s about the movement making the movement together moving forward”