Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) will not be issuing a proclamation declaring Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, as required by state law, amid ongoing allegations that the late labor leader sexually abused young girls. 

Lombardo's office told The Indy they discussed the issue with legislative leaders of both parties. In a statement, his office said the "Nevada legislature has a duty to carefully review these allegations."

"As someone who spent a career in law enforcement dedicated to protecting victims, the Governor understands that a formal recognition from the state would be painful for many," his office said. 

It comes after The New York Times reported that Chavez sexually abused women for years, including fellow co-founder of the United Farm Workers, Dolores Huerta. Chavez, born in Arizona during the 1920s, had become a household name known for organizing migrant farm workers in California to secure better pay and safer housing and work conditions. He died in 1993.

In 2009, the Nevada Legislature passed a law enshrining Cesar Chavez Day as a holiday, but it doesn't give anybody a holiday from work. Rather, the governor is required to issue a proclamation each year "to bring to the attention of Nevada residents the important contributions Cesar Chavez made to the State of Nevada and the United States."  

Multiple states, including California and Utah, formerly acknowledged his birthday as a holiday before the allegations. 

The labor leader also has a Clark County park named in his honor, and Las Vegas officials helped unveil a sculpture of him less than two years ago. Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom is currently looking into the process to change the name of the park.

Updated on 3/31/2026 at 1:31p.m. to clarify statement from Lombardo's office and add update from Clark County.