City of San Jose, CA
03/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/18/2026 13:43
San José Mayor, Council Colleagues and City Manager Stand with Survivors Amid Allegations Concerning Cesar Chavez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Seamus Gann, Acting Chief Communications Officer, Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
408-838-7664; [email protected]
"I am deeply troubled by the serious and disturbing allegations that have come to light regarding Cesar Chavez, and my thoughts are with the survivors who have carried this pain for decades," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "As the full scope of these allegations is investigated, we recognize that Chavez's ties to San José come with a responsibility to ensure we are not further traumatizing survivors. We have cancelled City events associated with the state holiday and will identify ways to honor the legacy of the farmworker movement without celebrating individuals who caused such profound harm to the community."
Given Chavez's longstanding ties to San José, Mayor Mahan, along with Councilmembers Campos, Tordillos, Ortiz, and Candelas, will initiate a process to identify locations, monuments, and other sites bearing Chavez's name or likeness and drive a community-driven initiative that appropriately honors the broader farmworker justice movement without causing further harm to survivors.
With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States, Northern California's largest city, and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.
Media Contact
Seamus Gann, Acting Chief Communications Officer, Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
408-838-7664; [email protected]
San José Mayor, Council Colleagues and City Manager Stand with Survivors Amid Allegations Concerning Cesar Chavez
SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 18, 2026) - Mayor Matt Mahan issued the following statement today in light of recent allegations of abuse involving the late Cesar Chavez:"I am deeply troubled by the serious and disturbing allegations that have come to light regarding Cesar Chavez, and my thoughts are with the survivors who have carried this pain for decades," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "As the full scope of these allegations is investigated, we recognize that Chavez's ties to San José come with a responsibility to ensure we are not further traumatizing survivors. We have cancelled City events associated with the state holiday and will identify ways to honor the legacy of the farmworker movement without celebrating individuals who caused such profound harm to the community."
Given Chavez's longstanding ties to San José, Mayor Mahan, along with Councilmembers Campos, Tordillos, Ortiz, and Candelas, will initiate a process to identify locations, monuments, and other sites bearing Chavez's name or likeness and drive a community-driven initiative that appropriately honors the broader farmworker justice movement without causing further harm to survivors.
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About the City of San JoséWith almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States, Northern California's largest city, and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.
City of San Jose, CA published this content on March 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 18, 2026 at 19:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]