California officials are taking steps to distance public spaces and commemorations from labor leader Cesar Chavez following recent allegations against the civil rights activist.

California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced plans to rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day in response to the allegations. The proposed change would shift focus from the individual leader to the broader farmworker movement.

In San Fernando, a statue of Cesar Chavez was removed Thursday as part of what appears to be a coordinated effort across the state. Local officials are moving to strip street names and cover murals depicting the once-celebrated figure.

The actions represent a significant reversal for California, where Chavez has long been honored as a champion of farmworkers' rights and civil rights. The labor leader founded the United Farm Workers union and led prominent boycotts and strikes in the 1960s and 1970s to improve conditions for agricultural workers.

The specific nature of the allegations prompting these changes has not been fully detailed in official announcements. However, references to a "sexual abuse scandal" have emerged in connection with the renewed scrutiny of Chavez's legacy.

The rapid pace of removals and renamings across multiple California municipalities suggests a coordinated response to distance public institutions from the controversy surrounding the labor icon.