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DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation, sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Lorena García, to rename César Chávez Day to Farm Workers Day. HB26-1339 unanimously passed by a vote of 11-0.
“As a Latina, labor advocate and survivor, I strongly believe that our legislation is the responsible way to stand with survivors while continuing to uplift the people who created the labor protections that we all benefit from today,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “I am the daughter and granddaughter of women who were farm workers and who marched and organized for safer workplace protections, and as a survivor, I know how crucial it is that we listen to those who found the courage to speak up. The time to act is now. I am carrying on my ancestors' legacy by honoring the hardworking people who put food on our tables and standing alongside survivors.”
“The accomplishments from the farm workers' labor movement are due to the sacrifices of farm workers, especially the women in the movement, and they deserve to be acknowledged for everything they did for future generations,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “We stand with Dolores Huerta and the other brave women whose lives were forever impacted by the harm they endured while they paved the way for the Latino community and workers. With this bill, March 31 will now be dedicated to the hardworking people behind the Farm Workers Movement.”
HB26-1339 would rename César Chávez Day to Farm Workers Day to honor the contributions and history of farm workers.
Beginning in the 1960s, farm workers and advocates organized to fight back against discrimination and unfair labor practices and marched hundreds of miles to demand fair pay and respect. They successfully negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement between farm workers and growers in the continental U.S., and the first union contracts that required rest periods, clean drinking water and safety and sanitation regulations. They also banned discrimination in the workplace and sexual harassment of women workers and extended state coverage of unemployment, disability and workers’ compensation to farm workers.
In 2001, the Colorado legislature designated March 31 as César Chávez Day, an optional state holiday. Last week, Dolores Huerta and other women, many of whom were minors at the time of the assault, made public claims that they were sexually abused by the late César Chávez. In light of these recent allegations, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, in partnership with City Council President Amanda Sandoval, temporarily renamed the upcoming holiday in the City and County of Denver to “Sí Se Puede” Day.