Councilwoman Laura Pastor Statement on Renaming the City's March 31 Holiday to Honor Farmworkers

Today, the Phoenix City Council voted to begin the process of renaming the City’s March 31 holiday to Farmworkers Day and to remove the name of Cesar Chavez from City-owned assets, including streets, parks, facilities, and public artwork.

For many in our community, Cesar Chavez was the symbol of the farmworker movement. But the movement was never about one person.

We must be thoughtful about who and what we formally honor in public spaces. That includes our holidays, our facilities, and our street names.

It makes sense to honor the farmworkers themselves—the people who did the work, who organized, and who made the movement happen. They are the reason food makes it to our tables every day.

This country is built on immigrants and farmworkers. The movement continues, and it will grow from this moment.

The collective must heal from the past and move forward.

“If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact the City of Phoenix Family Advocacy Center at (602) 534-2120. You can also reach the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at (602) 279-2980 or (800) 782-6400, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).”