Google celebrates Cesar Chavez, not Easter

The doodle has sparked outrage among those who observe the holiday

Published March 31, 2013 7:00PM (EDT)

If you used Google on Sunday, March 31, 2013, you may have noticed the above Google Doodle, a type of drawing Google uses frequently to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or historically relevant days. On any other day, the above doodle celebrating the birthday of American labor rights activist Cesar Chavez, who would have been 86 today, may have gone unnoticed.

However, for millions of people, that date celebrates something else: Easter Sunday. Several conservatives and Christians alike took issue with Google's decision to honor the rights icon over their holiday:

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Among those outraged is also a faction who believe the labor rights activist whose work was rooted in Christian ethics, is the same as Hugo Chavez, the deceased and highly controversial Venezuelan president:

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Google's official doodle policy states that "The doodle selection process aims to celebrate interesting events and anniversaries that reflect Google's personality and love for innovation."

Or, in summary:

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By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

MORE FROM Prachi Gupta


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Cesar Chavez Civil Rights Easter Google Doodle Latin America