*Last week, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), through their voices and votes, supported Assembly Bill (AB) 2156, which proposed renaming César Chávez Day to Farm Workers Day.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law on March 26, allowing it to take effect immediately before the March 31 observance.
Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), a member of CLBC, says pivoting from honoring a single figure to celebrating the broader labor movement recognizes the dignity and contributions of tens of thousands of agricultural workers.
“My remarks are specific in making sure that, one, we acknowledge the work of the farm workers has been done here in the state of California because they need to be recognized,” Gipson told California Black Media. “It gives me great pride to respect and stand with farm workers not only here in California, but all across the United States of America, because they are responsible for putting food on our tables.”
The advocacy for the measure was part of a bipartisan, unanimous, and speedy legislative response following allegations of sexual abuse against United Farm Workers co-founder Chávez. The claims, which surfaced publicly in recent weeks, also referenced that Chávez assaulted Dolores Huerta, the union’s co-founder and longtime civil rights advocate.
The bill, authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), recognizes the collective farmworker labor movement rather than a single individual, following a detailed investigation of Chávez by The New York Times.
“These allegations are devastating — for survivors, for women whose voices have long been diminished, and for advocates who have dedicated their lives to building movements larger than themselves,” wrote Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), a member of the CLBC.
Recent Comments