Governor Newsom Proclaims March 31, 2025 as César Chávez Day in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 31, 2025 (CALIFORNIA NEWS TODAY) — Governor Gavin Newsom has officially proclaimed March 31, 2025, as César Chávez Day in California, according to a statement released by the Governor’s Office.

Official César Chávez proclamation • Photo Credit: State of California

The proclamation honors the legacy of labor and civil rights leader César Chávez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and played a significant role in improving conditions for farmworkers across the United States. According to the state, the observance marks Chávez’s contributions to social justice and labor reform.

Chávez was born in 1927 near Yuma, Arizona, and later moved with his family to California during the Great Depression. He began working in the fields at a young age and experienced what the proclamation described as "dismal working conditions, racism, abuse, and exploitation." He later became a labor organizer and led key efforts to advocate for farmworkers’ rights.

Among Chávez’s notable actions were organizing a march from Delano to Sacramento in 1966 and initiating a national grape boycott, which brought national attention to the plight of agricultural workers. These efforts contributed to the passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act in 1975, which provided farmworkers the right to unionize.

The proclamation encourages Californians to reflect on Chávez’s impact and continue advancing the values he promoted.

For more information, visit www.gov.ca.gov.

Source: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom