SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In the early 1990s, San Francisco decided it was time to honor Cesar Chavez by adding his name to buildings and a well-known street. Much to the disappointment of many, it is now almost certain that will have to change.
Adding the name Cesar Chavez to a major San Francisco thoroughfare was controversial in 1995.
More than 30 years ago, this city was clearly divided over the proposed name change from Army to Cesar Chavez Street.
This was the sentiment in 1995.
“I’d favor Army Street. I was born and raised here,” said San Francisco resident John Galvin in 1995.
“I think Chavez was an important person and I think it’s wonderful that we honor him this way. The decision has been made and Army doesn’t mean anything,” expressed Anne Sachs, also in 1995.
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Even after the Board of Supervisors voted to change the name to Cesar Chavez, another proposal appeared on the ballot to change it back to Army Street. Voters ended up rejecting it.
Then San Francisco Supervisor Susan Leal was the main proponent behind naming the street after the labor leader.
Now, after the current allegations, everything has changed.
“We have to change the name. We have to change the name, yeah,” insisted Leal.
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There are other notable locations named after Chavez like the San Francisco State University Student Union. A mural in his honor was also dedicated in 1995.
And like in many other cities, a school in San Francisco also bears his name.
The mural at the school in the Mission District seems to portray Chavez as a “saintly” figure, holding the hands of children.
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In 1995, then Supervisor Leal was quoted as saying, “Everyday you look at that street sign, you should feel great.” Today, she says it’s a heartbreaking moment for her.
“Wow, that just brings tears to me right now because the movement was more than a man and I remember walking with my mom and she, when some of the protests we had of the farm workers, she picked fruit, very briefly she picked fruits, and so for me it was very personal, very personal,” she added.
Leal says perhaps a more suitable name would be “End Abuse” or “Peace.”
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