On Thursday, the City of Fresno reversed course, opting to drop “Cesar Chavez” from a nearly 7-mile stretch of road.<\/p>\n
“I do support the renaming of this corridor back to its original three names,” Councilmember Brandon Vang said.<\/p>\n
City leaders are restoring the familiar “Kings Canyon,” “Ventura,” and “California Avenue” names that were replaced with “Cesar Chavez” signs less than two years ago.<\/p>\n
“We want this gone as soon as possible,” a resident said.<\/p>\n
The change follows a New York Times report last month detailing an extensive pattern of alleged misconduct involving Chavez.<\/p>\n
The late labor icon was accused of grooming and sexually abusing several girls and young women for years.<\/p>\n
His United Farm Workers co-founder, Dolores Huerta, spoke out with her own claims of abuse.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, he was a great leader, but, unfortunately, he had an evil side to him,” Huerta recently told ABC News.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, some Fresno residents said the streets should be named for Huerta.<\/p>\n
“…(In) honor and recognition of a person who has dedicated and devoted her life, over 60 years, fighting for farmworker rights and justice,” resident Manuel Silva said.<\/p>\n
But councilmembers ultimately settled on the three original names, pointing out there is already a new city park in Huerta’s honor.<\/p>\n
“Given the information that we know today, this is the right thing to do,” Councilmember Annalisa Perea said.<\/p>\n
With the change approved, the city is expected to mail letters to impacted businesses and homes, about 1,600 addresses in all.<\/p>\n
City staff said the old signs will be reinstalled in just a few weeks.<\/p>\n
“We’ll be able to accomplish the whole corridor, basically, over three weekends,” Public Works Director Scott Mozier said. “Really, we’re looking out to just mid-May to be wrapped up.”<\/p>\n
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