At least one Nevada organization is changing a planned celebration of Cesar Chavez, the late civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers of America, in light of new allegations that he was involved in the abuse of young women.

In a statement Tuesday, the United Farm Workers of America said that it received "deeply troubling allegations" that Chavez, who died in 1993, may have been involved in the abuse of "very young women or girls." Although the union said it has no "firsthand knowledge" of the claims, it said it would no longer be participating in Cesar Chavez Day, which is observed annually on March 31, his birthday.

Chavez, born in Arizona during the 1920s, has long been a figurehead in the Latino community, known for organizing migrant farm workers in California to secure better pay and safer housing and work conditions. Multiple states, including California and Utah, acknowledge his birthday as a formal holiday and state employees, among others, get a paid day off. 

The Central Labor Council in Northern Nevada said Tuesday that it will be renaming its annual Cesar Chavez Celebration to the Northern Nevada Member Assistance Program Solidarity Celebration Dinner, according to KRNV News 4. Organizers for the union said the change is meant to stand in solidarity with the UFW's response to the allegation. It will continue with its planned celebration this Friday, March 20. 

In 2009, the Nevada Legislature passed a law enshrining Cesar Chavez Day as a holiday, but the law doesn't give anybody a holiday from work. Rather, the governor issues 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."  

Officials from Gov. Joe Lombardo's office told The Indy that they are aware there are allegations against Chavez, but because the governor is mandated by state law to proclaim March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day, they are reviewing their options.

In 2025, Lombardo vetoed a bill to commemorate Dolores Huerta  — a labor leader and former Las Vegas resident who co-founded the United Farm Workers — saying there was no need to codify additional days into law. 

It is unclear whether the annual Cesar Chavez Day Festival at Gary Reese Freedom Park in Las Vegas will be happening this year. Organizers familiar with the event said they weren't aware whether programming had been planned for this year's holiday.

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.