In a formal proclamation issued from the Arizona State Capitol, Governor Katie Hobbs declared March 31, 2025, as César Chávez Day, honoring the legacy of the renowned Mexican-American civil rights and labor leader who was born in Yuma, Arizona.
César Chávez, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, remains one of the most influential figures in American labor history. The proclamation highlights his lifelong fight for dignity, fair wages, and humane working conditions for farmworkers—many of whom continue to face economic and legal challenges today.
“Today, on César Chávez Day, we celebrate the power of advocacy and grit of farmworkers and all working Arizonans who are the beating heart of the Arizona Promise,” Governor Hobbs said in a statement.
The proclamation, signed by both Hobbs and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, recognizes Chávez’s formative roots in Arizona, where he was born on March 31, 1927. It credits his early hardships as a farmworker for shaping his commitment to social justice, nonviolence, and labor rights.
The history of Cesar Chavez Day
The declaration traces Chávez’s activism back to his organizing efforts alongside leaders like Dolores Huerta and Larry Itliong during pivotal moments such as the 1965 Delano Grape Strike. It also ties his philosophy of nonviolence to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., both of whom influenced his approach to civil disobedience.
Chávez passed away in 1993 in his hometown of Yuma, but his influence remains potent. From grassroots organizing to statewide policy conversations, the legacy of Chávez serves as a reminder of Arizona’s role in shaping national labor movements.
While March 31 has long been observed as a day of remembrance in Chávez’s honor, this year’s proclamation from Hobbs represents a formal reaffirmation of his enduring impact. In doing so, it invites reflection on the ongoing responsibility to uplift marginalized voices and protect the rights of working people.
The Governor’s office has not announced whether future César Chávez Days will be recognized as official state holidays, but for now, the 2025 proclamation stands as a tribute to one of Arizona’s most influential native sons—and a call to continue the work he began.
Photo taken by Arthur Omar Olivo