Mayor Bass Proclaims Last Monday of March as “Farm Workers Day” in City of Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass today was today joined by women members of the L.A. City Council - Councilmembers Rodriguez, Padilla, Hernandez and Jurado - to sign a proclamation to rename the last Monday of March as "Farm Workers Day" in the City of Los Angeles. She also announced her intent to assess the renaming of City landmarks in close coordination with the community and the City Council.

"The farm workers movement was about securing basic human rights that were denied to some of the hardest working people in our state and country," said Mayor Bass."Their fight, their struggle, and their victories inspired me and inspired a generation of activists across the country. We honor the legacy of farm workers and the universal fight for dignity, equality, and fair working conditions for all. This March 30th - and every last Monday of March moving forward - will provide an opportunity for Angelenos to reflect on how the struggle of farm workers has elevated working people everywhere."

"Renaming March 30th to Farm Workers Day rightfully honors the workers that feed this nation and uplifts the ongoing struggle many immigrants still face today," said Councilmember Monica Rodriguez. "In this difficult time, Los Angeles will continue to lead by example, moving swiftly to uplift the positive contributions of the farm worker movement and the many people that made that movement a larger legacy that we honor today."

"The farmworker rights movement has always been driven by the strength, sacrifice, and courage of many. We honor those who work tirelessly to feed our nation and the legacy of everyone who advocated for the dignity and justice of our farmworkers," said Councilmember Imelda Padilla."Their efforts created the foundation we stand on today. As we carry this work forward, we must remain grounded in advocacy, accountability, and transparency, and commit ourselves to ensuring that no one - especially women and children - is forced to suffer abuse in silence or feel that their voices do not matter."

"The farm worker movement has always been about the power of the people, especially the women whose labor built it and too often went unseen," said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. "As we honor that legacy, we also have a responsibility to tell the truth about harm and stand with survivors. As Chair of Public Works, I'm committed to doing the work to ensure our City's spaces reflect our values and not just our history, but our willingness to confront it."

"A movement does not belong to one person," said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado."Farm Workers Day honors the workers, families, and organizers still in the fields and still fighting for fair wages, safe conditions, and dignity. And it recognizes that this movement is carried forward every single day by people whose names we may never know, but whose impact continues to define the spirit of Los Angeles."

Read the proclamation below:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, thousands of farm workers bravely and fiercely led a movement to advocate for the basic rights and humanity of farm workers; and

WHEREAS, the successful boycotts and marches led by farm workers inspired activists across California and the country and helped galvanize the Chicano movement; and

WHEREAS, the farm workers movement ultimately led to the historic California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, allowing farm workers to form unions and bargain for better wages and conditions; and

WHEREAS, the farm workers movement helped secure landmark laws and regulations across the country, including the first state laws providing farm workers with overtime pay after eight hours a day; the first comprehensive standards in the U.S. to prevent heat deaths and illnesses in California; and COVID-19 protections for agricultural workers; and

WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles is proud to honor the legacy and continued perseverance of the farm workers movement and its ongoing fight against oppression and discrimination and for dignity, equality, and fair working conditions; and

WHEREAS, observing Farm Workers Day reinforces the City's commitment to social justice and workers' rights while creating an opportunity for reflection of the movement's many contributions to Los Angeles and the nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, as Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, do hereby proclaim the last Monday of March as Farm Workers Day in the City of Los Angeles and call upon all Angelenos to honor the many contributions of farm workers.

IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that pursuant to Los Angeles Administrative Code ("LAAC") Section 4.119(a)(14), with the concurrence of the Los Angeles City Council by resolution, Farm Workers Day shall be treated as a legal holiday for City employees.

IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that I hereby request that the City Administrative Officer take immediate steps to delete LAAC Section 4.119 (a)(4) [Cesar E. Chavez's Birthday (the last Monday in March)] and to add a new permanent legal holiday [Farm Workers Day (the last Monday in March)] to the LAAC for City employees, and to negotiate the same changes for all represented employees.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Los Angeles to be affixed this 19th day of March, 2026.