Minnesota lawmakers are seeking to repeal a state holiday honoring the late labor leader Cesar Chavez after a recent New York Times investigation alleged he had sexually abused young girls and women for years.

In 2014, Minnesota legislators passed a law designating March 31 — Chavez’s birthday — as a commemorative holiday to honor the farmworker activist who co-founded United Farm Workers of America. Chavez was a prominent Mexican-American labor activist who “improved the lives and working conditions of millions of Latinos nationwide,” according to Minnesota’s statute.

“Dedicating March 31 of each year as Cesar Chavez Day provides the citizens of Minnesota the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the Latino community and their contributions to our state,” the law states.

The Times investigation revealed substantial evidence to support allegations that Chavez had abused at least two young girls and several women — including United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta — during his time as a leader in the Latino civil rights movement.

Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL-St. Paul, said during a Capitol press conference Monday that the Latino rights and labor movement transcends one man.

“Honoring Cesar Chavez for the Latino community in Minnesota would be incongruous given the five-year investigations into allegations of assault,” Pérez-Vega said, adding that the state instead should honor the courage of Huerta.

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