Denver’s annual César Chávez march and celebration will not hit the streets this spring. Organizers have pulled the plug on the event that had been scheduled for Saturday, April 11, after new allegations surfaced about the late labor icon’s behavior toward women and children. The local César E. Chávez Peace and Justice Committee announced the move on Wednesday, saying the pause is meant to center survivors and give the community breathing room to absorb the disclosures.
The César E. Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver said in a press release that it had scrapped the 2026 march and celebration and “unequivocally supports the abused women and children and their survivors,” according to KDVR. The committee did not describe any specific local allegations, instead stressing that organizers want to prioritize survivors’ well-being as Denver reacts to the recent reporting. The decision knocks a longtime April fixture off the city’s civic calendar this year.
National Reporting That Sparked a Wave of Cancellations
A multi-year investigation published this week by The New York Times lays out allegations that César Chávez sexually abused girls and young women, including incidents that allegedly occurred decades ago while he led the United Farm Workers. The Times reporting, along with related disclosures from people who worked with Chávez, has pushed unions, foundations, and local organizers in multiple cities to hit pause or cancel tribute events altogether. The fallout is forcing communities to confront how they remember leaders whose achievements are tangled up with alleged harm.
Dolores Huerta Breaks Her Silence
Dolores Huerta, Chávez’s longtime organizing partner, stepped forward publicly on March 18 after keeping what she called a painful secret for decades. “I have never identified myself as a victim, but I now understand that I am a survivor,” Huerta wrote in a statement on Medium. She said two encounters with Chávez in the 1960s led to pregnancies that she arranged to have raised by other families, according to her account.
Local Officials Respond
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s office said the city is “appalled by the allegations” and is gathering information while “evaluating steps going forward,” the mayor’s office told KDVR. Community groups in Denver have voiced a mix of shock, anger, and support for survivors as they weigh whether to reimagine local programming that has long carried Chávez’s name. Organizers say they will share details on any new plans once conversations with partners move further along.
Other Cities and Organizations Hit Pause
Denver is far from alone in rethinking its Chávez tributes. The César E. Chávez March for Justice in San Antonio was canceled in March after organizers cited a “sensitive matter,” according to the San Antonio Express-News. Several national and local groups have also said they will review names, programming, and partnerships in light of the recent reporting, prompting broader debates about who is honored in public spaces and how communities weigh historic achievements against alleged abuse.
What Comes Next in Denver
Denver regularly observes César Chávez Day on the municipal calendar, so the committee’s decision means a planned April observance will not go forward this year, breaking a familiar civic rhythm for many local organizations. The city lists March 30, 2026, as its observed date for the holiday on the official schedule, underscoring how deeply the celebration is woven into local life, according to the City and County of Denver’s events calendar. For now, organizers say their focus is on supporting survivors and community healing while they consider whether future events tied to Chávez’s name should be retooled or replaced.
Huerta’s statement directs readers to survivor resources on the Dolores Huerta Foundation website, and Denver organizers and officials say they will post updates as community discussions evolve. The foundation’s resources are available on the Dolores Huerta Foundation site. This story will be updated as local groups release more information and as Denver leaders respond to community input.
