By Andy Rose, CNN
(CNN) — A blanketed figure stood Wednesday in the Peace Garden of California’s Fresno State University like a shadowy ghost. The large black sheet awkwardly held taut with plastic binder clips hid the statue of Cesar Chavez, who spent decades in the spotlight as an icon of labor power and Latino pride.
The legacy of the larger-than-life figure – who died three decades ago – was rocked Wednesday by shocking allegations in a New York Times story that Chavez sexually abused girls and women, including one of his most prominent organizing partners, for decades during his leadership of the US movement for farm workers’ rights.
Admirers and public officials are now scrambling to respond to the claims about the man who has been honored with holidays, statues and school names in communities around the country.
Here’s what we know about the allegations against Chavez and the response.
Honors for Chavez being reconsidered across the nation
The quick decision by Fresno State to cover its Chavez statue, which was erected on campus 30 years ago, was one of the most visible signs of the speed at which his memory is being reevaluated.
By the end of the day, the sculpture was encased by plywood.
“In light of the seriousness of the current revelations, as a first step, we are covering the statue while we determine appropriate next steps for its removal,” university President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said Wednesday.
“At Fresno State, our values are grounded in dignity, respect, and care for one another. When we become aware of reports of such a serious nature, we must acknowledge their weight and hold space for those who have been harmed.”
The response is even more complicated for the dozens of schools named after Chavez, as well as the states that celebrate March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day every year.
In California, where the holiday is written into state law, the two top-ranking Democrats in the state legislature announced Thursday they will sponsor a bill to change its name. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he supports the idea of a name change.
“What Cesar represented was a movement – the farm workers movement, the labor movement – and it’s right to celebrate that movement,” Newsom said Thursday when asked about the allegations during a news conference. Newsom supports moving in “the direction that many are promoting, including members of the legislature, and I look forward to moving that along in an expeditious way,” he said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, signed a proclamation Thursday changing the name of its Cesar Chavez Day to “Farm Workers Day,” to continue to honor the movement without mentioning Chavez.
“I’ve been in touch with the Chavez family, and they support our decision to rename this holiday,” Bass said. Changes to other honors given to Chavez around the city will be considered, the mayor added.
“The plight and the struggle of the farm workers continues on, and we will honor that,” Bass said. “But we are going to have to take a look at a variety of things, including the naming of holidays, buildings, of streets, all of that.”
In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, announced the state this year will not observe Cesar Chavez Day, which is classified as an “optional holiday” under state law.