Following sex abuse allegations against labor icon Cesar Chavez, a local nonprofit is renaming its celebrations.
The nonprofit Los Hermanos Familia has organized the Cesar Chavez march and day of service in Lubbock for more than 25 years.
The organization released a statement March 18, saying it is disappointed to learn of the allegations regarding Chavez and that “no individual, regardless of their legacy, is above accountability.”
Rather than cancelling the event, as some Texas organizers have done, the event has been renamed "CommUNITY Day of Service."
The state of Texas will not be observing Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, according to a release from Governor Greg Abbott. In the statement, Abbott also said he plans to work with lawmakers to make the removal of the holiday permanent in the next legislative session.
Los Hermanos Familia said its objective remains to “serve as a catalyst for promoting family engagement and increasing awareness of social issues, particularly those impacting families.”
The CommUNITY Day of Service will take place March 28, with a street cleanup event between Indiana and University Avenue from 10 A.M. to noon.
You can read the full statement below:
"Los Hermanos Familia (LHF) was disappointed to learn of the allegations regarding Cesar Chavez. These claims are serious, and we believe that no individual, regardless of their legacy, is above accountability, especially when it comes to the safety and dignity of women and children.
Annually, LHF has partnered with local community groups, organizations, and educators to support advocacy for farm workers, particularly given the challenges faced across the South Plains.
To ensure our efforts remain clearly centered on serving families and strengthening our community, we have made the decision to rename our annual event to the CommUNITY Day of Service.
Our objective is to serve as a catalyst for promoting family engagement and increasing awareness of social issues, particularly those impacting families. We are committed to providing a positive environment for West Texas families and youth to learn and grow through nature, environmental stewardship, service, and leadership.
Our mission remains focused on strengthening families, building community, and supporting those who may be vulnerable.
Moving forward, we will update the name and marketing of our Day of Service to continue uniting individuals who are committed to creating positive change in our community.
We remain committed to fostering a community grounded in respect, accountability, and care for one another."
You can sign up on Los Hermanos Familia's website.
The same day, Lubbock’s Democratic Party Chair Margie Ceja released a statement asking city leaders to change the name of the street that honors Chavez.
"The recent revelations about Dolores Huerta and what she endured while working alongside Cesar Chavez are deeply troubling and demand accountability.
For generations, women have been asked to stay silent for the sake of movements and institutions. That must end. While progress has been made, abuse of power still exists at every level of society, and survivors continue to pay the price.
Dolores Huerta is a leader, a fighter, and a symbol of resilience. It’s time our public honors reflect those values.
We call on our community to take action and rename the street currently honoring Cesar Chavez to Dolores Huerta. Lubbock must stand for truth, accountability, and the courage to do what is right."