Chavez Day on hold in Nevada as governor weighs assault fallout

Ricardo Torres-Cortez, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Mar 31, 2026

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Gov. Joe Lombardo did not sign a proclamation declaring Cesar Chavez Day in Nevada after the labor rights leader’s legacy was roiled by allegations of sexual assault less than two weeks ago.

Nevada governors have until March 31 to issue the ceremonial declaration under a 2009 state law.

At the deadline Tuesday, Lombardo’s office said he had consulted with Republican and Democratic state legislators after accusations against Chavez came to light in a New York Times investigation.

“As someone who spent a career in law enforcement dedicated to protecting victims, the Governor understands that a formal recognition from the state would be painful for many,” his office wrote in a statement. “The Nevada legislature has a duty to carefully review these allegations and decide whether Cesar Chavez Day still belongs in state code.”

Chavez’s prominence skyrocketed as co-founder of the National Farm Workers union, becoming a de facto leader for workers and Latinos across the U.S.

He visited Las Vegas multiple times through the years, including walking a picket line by Culinary Local 226 as Frontier employees embarked in one of the longest labor protests in history.

Chavez died months later in 1993. His face adorned murals and multiple jurisdictions moved to honor him with proclamations. Clark County named a park after him, and he was the namesake of an honorary Las Vegas street sign.

His allure came tumbling down after the Times reported that he had allegedly sexually assaulted children and fellow union co-founder Dolores Huerta.

The United Farm Workers union disavowed him and California officials quickly move to rename the state’s Cesar Chavez Day holiday to Farmworkers Day.

The city of Las Vegas said officials were reconsidering the street sign’s placement near Pecos Road and Charleston Boulevard. Local holders of a Chavez sculpture chastised him.

The Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus and the Culinary union came out in support of the victims.

Lombardo’s office earlier noted that the governor was required by law to issue the proclamation, and that he was reviewing his options.

“This situation illustrates just one of the reasons why Governor Lombardo has vetoed bills that statutorily mandate proclamations,” a statement said.

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