March 24, 2026
City Council
DATE: March 24, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Subject:
Change Cesar Chavez Day to United Farm Workers Day
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no significant fiscal impact associated with this item. Minor administrative costs may be incurred to
update the City’s holiday schedule and related materials; however, these costs can be absorbed within existing
departmental budgets and do not require an additional
appropriation at this time.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
In light of recent sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez, we should rename the day to United Farm
Workers Day. We must uplift and recognize the daily
contributions of farmworkers impact on the everyday lives of all families in the United States.
The United Farm Workers of America (UFW) is the
nation’s first enduring and largest farm workers’ union.
The UFW continues its activism in major agricultural
sectors, chiefly in California.
Many landmark recent UFW-sponsored laws and
regulations protect all farm workers in California,
especially at non-union ranches.
AGENDA
REPORT
March 24, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution that directs staff to update the City’s holiday schedule to reflect “United Farm Workers Day”
instead of Cesar Chavez Day and DIRECT staff to bring
a future agenda item to have further discussion around
sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual assault
and the urgent need to protect and support survivors -
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
DISCUSSION:
In light of recent sexual abuse and sexual assault allegations against Cesar Chavez, the City of Richmond will rename the holiday to stand in solidarity with the United Farm Workers (UFW) and name the holiday “United Farm Workers Day.”
We must uplift and recognize the daily contributions of farmworkers on the everyday lives of all families in the United States. The United Farm Workers of America (UFW) is the nation’s first enduring and largest farm workers’ union. The UFW continues its activism in major agricultural sectors, chiefly in California. Many landmark recent UFW- sponsored laws and regulations protect all farm workers in California, especially at non- union ranches.
The renaming serves as a necessary course correction that acknowledges past harms, challenges long-accepted narratives, and centers a legacy that better reflects dignity and equity for current and future generations.
The farmworkers movement has always been bigger than any one individual. Changing the day from a singular figure to a designation that better reflects the broader movement uplifts the ‘backbone and beating heart’ of the labor struggle and ensures our public honors reflect the dignity, integrity, and contributions of all workers.
While this is a disappointing and awful moment for all, we need to use this moment to reflect and continue to call out those individuals in positions of power and influence that have taken advantage of other individuals by sexually harassing, sexually abusing or sexually assaulting them.
We owe it to the past, present, and all future generations to break this horrible cycle by holding perpetrators accountable, being transparent, and having unwavering support for the victims who have been harmed.
We must all stand together and call out those that have abused their positions of power, regardless of who they are, elected officials, community leaders etc. and lead with accountability and integrity. We must demonstrate to the nation that no one is exempt from scrutiny and that the scales of fairness and justice must prevail and extend across
March 24, 2026
all levels of leadership in this country, including our highest offices, and to all individuals connected to wrongdoing.
We must remain dedicated to receiving transparency from all levels so we may have the information to make decisions to protect and preserve the dignity of all workers and survivors.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – United Farm Workers Resolution