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LAUSD board votes to change school names, art tied to Cesar Chavez
LAUSD's Cesar E. Chavez Academies include four independent high schools located on a single campus in San Fernando.
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The Los Angeles Unified School District Board voted unanimously Tuesday to rename two campuses named after Cesar Chavez by fall 2026 and to fund the removal of murals and any other commemorations of the disgraced labor leader at other schools.
A New York Times investigation published last week found Chavez sexually abused girls and women including United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.
Board Member Kelly Gonez introduced the resolution.
“These heart-wrenching stories represent a betrayal for so many of us and yet they resonate with many survivors and many women who have experienced this as girls and in our adulthood including myself,” Gonez said through tears.
Board Vice President Rocío Rivas co-authored the resolution.
“This is not an easy moment, but it’s a necessary one,” Rivas said.
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The late, disgraced labor leader started out in L.A., leaving behind a big mark will have to be reckoned with. -
Cities, counties and the state are moving to remove Chavez's name from public buildings, parks and other areas after sexual assault allegations -
People described feeling stunned and disjointed after learning the news.
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What comes next?
The board committed to working with the communities surrounding Cesar Chavez Learning Academies in San Fernando and Cesar Chavez Elementary School in El Sereno to identify new names that “reflect the District’s values of equity, justice, and community leadership.”
The district will also recognize March 31 as Farm Workers Day this year and in future calendars.
Read the resolution and go deeper to see how educators are responding to the allegations.
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