The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ César Chávez Commemorative Celebration is now called the 32nd Annual Celebration of the Farmworkers’ Rights Movement and will be held on April 14 instead of the originally dated March 31.
The renaming and postponement follows a March 2026 New York Times investigation detailing allegations that Chavez sexually abused women and minors. County officials changed the name to distance the ceremony from Chavez’s individual legacy and focus on the collective labor movement. The move aligns with a statewide push by California lawmakers to rename Cesar Chavez Day on March 31 to Farmworkers Day.
“Following the lead of the United Farm Workers, Contra Costa County remains focused on supporting farmworkers and advancing equity, safety, and opportunity in agriculture,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis, District 3 supervisor. “Our goal is to ensure this event honors farmworkers, highlights urgent issues like fair wages and safe working conditions, and reflects our shared values of dignity and inclusion.”
The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez. This year’s theme is Rooted in Resilience—Enraizados en la Resiliencia. Jane Garcia, CEO of La Clínica de la Raza and a graduate of Yale and UC Berkeley, will deliver the keynote address. Garcia has led the organization since 1982, expanding it into a regional health system serving 85,000 patients.
The program includes the 2026 Youth Hall of Fame Awards for local students. High school winners include Amadeus Castillo, Marisela Villezcas, Symone Jewell, Morriah Crose, Cesia Jesus Gonzalez, and Adya Gupta. Middle school Rising Stars are Eden Rosekind, Claire Cho, Pablo Cabrera, Soraya Dang, Camilla Rodriguez Cantwell, and Samantha Pedraza-Lindsey.
The event will feature performances by Mariachi Monumental and the Pittsburg High School Ballet Folklórico. Residents can watch the broadcast on Comcast Channel 27, ATT/U-Verse 99, or Astound Channels 32 and 1027. More information is available at the Contra Costa County website.
