Arizona Considers Repeal of Cesar Chavez Day Amid Controversy
Arizona lawmakers are taking steps to eliminate March 31 as “Dr. Cesar Estrada Chavez Day,” which, while not a paid holiday, has been part of state observance for years. The push for repeal follows Governor Katie Hobbs’ decision not to issue her yearly proclamation recognizing the day. House Speaker Steve Montenegro highlighted this in his statement on Thursday, indicating a shift in official recognition of Chavez.
Montenegro, a Republican from Goodyear, expressed that the state should not continue to honor Chavez due to accusations of sexual abuse and assault. “We are not going to keep honoring a man who committed sexual abuse against children and assaulted women,” he stated. The proposed repeal will be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency in the upcoming week.
Senate President Warren Petersen, a fellow Republican from Gilbert, anticipates strong bipartisan support for the repeal, suggesting it should be a straightforward decision. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders have vocalized their concern over the allegations but have not commented directly on the holiday itself.
Since its inception in 2000, the holiday has encountered political resistance. Legislative records show that its approval was not without opposition, as two Republican senators and 11 Republican House members voted against it.
If passed, the repeal would contrast with actions in California, where lawmakers are considering renaming the holiday to Farmworkers Day. This aligns with the sentiments of Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, who recently revealed her own experiences of assault by Chavez. She expressed to Latino USA that recognition should instead honor “the martyrs of the Farm Worker movement.”
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