Houston is working to change the name of Cesar Chavez Boulevard in the city’s Magnolia Park neighborhood after a New York Times investigation this month revealed multiple sexual abuse allegations against the Latino labor and civil rights leader.
The change was proposed by Council Member Joaquin Martinez, who represents the area where the road is located, during Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Changing the name of the street – which is also known as 67th Street – is “lengthy” and “cumbersome,” he said, but important.
“I definitely just want to make sure that we recognize that sexual abuse is not good in any way, shape or form,” he said. “Women need to be heard, and we need to make sure that we always right our wrongs whenever possible.”
Mayor John Whitmire confirmed to Martinez during the meeting that the process was in motion.
“The planning director has already started the process, so I look forward to your participation and community engagement,” Whitmire told Martinez.
Martinez estimated the city may have to replace as many as two dozen street signs.
Martinez was joined in his call for change by three Latino council members – Alejandra Salinas, Mario Castillo and Julian Ramirez.
“That street should not bear (Chavez’s) name,” Ramirez said, adding, “I encourage as much community input as possible.”
Two women, daughters of organizers who worked with Chavez when they were children, accused the labor leader of sexually abusing them between 1972 and 1977, according to the Times’ investigation. The findings have caused mass cancellation of Cesar Chavez Day celebrations across the country, and have prompted calls to rename streets and facilities named after Chavez.
Shortly after the findings came to light, Gov. Greg Abbott said the state would not celebrate Cesar Chavez Day.