Lawmakers moving closer to repealing Cesar Chavez Day in Minnesota

ST. PAUL (KVRR) — Minnesota lawmakers are taking action to repeal the celebration of Cesar Chavez.

The House on Monday voted to repeal the March 31 holiday which was enacted in the state in 2014 on a bipartisan vote.

The action comes after a multi-year New York Times investigation released last week shows the farm labor leader allegedly groomed and sexually abused young girls who were part of his movement.

Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers Association with Chávez and is now 96, says he raped her in the 1960s and she bore two children from him.

The Senate is now considering a bill to repeal the holiday in his name.

“This is one more piece of evidence that we need to celebrate the collective in movements and not individuals. The stories from survivors are truly horrific,” said DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade of Apple Valley.

“The message from today’s workers and leaders is clear, Cesar Chavez Day is no longer how we should celebrate Minnesota’s Latino and Latina communities,” said DFL Sen. Sandy Pappas of St. Paul, an original sponsor of the bill enacting the holiday.

The bill has been sent to the full senate for a vote.