The City of Houston is moving quickly following shocking allegations of sexual abuse against prominent labor leader Cesar Chavez. A street bearing his name in Houston is now set to be changed \u2014 and soon.<\/p>\n
Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the city is already taking action, with Public Works preparing to print new street signs as early as Wednesday.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the City of Houston shared a timeline with KHOU 11 outlining the process for the proposed name change:<\/p>\n
Wednesday, April 1
The Planning and Development Department will mail letters to 113 abutting property owners and relevant agencies notifying them of the proposed change and a public comment period. Letters will be sent in both English and Spanish.
Notified agencies include police, fire, CenterPoint, METRO, and the U.S. Postal Service.<\/p>\n
38 parcels are addressed on Cesar Chavez Boulevard<\/p>\n
75 parcels are located on side streets<\/p>\n
April 1 \u2013 May 1
A 30-day public comment period<\/p>\n
Wednesday, May 13
The item will be placed on the City Council agenda for a vote, with a proposed effective date of June 12<\/p>\n
May 13 \u2013 June 12
Implementation phase:<\/p>\n
Public Works installs new street signs<\/p>\n
Property owners and agencies are formally notified of the change<\/p>\n
The push to rename the street comes after U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia addressed City Council, urging leaders to consider honoring Dolores Huerta instead. Huerta, a longtime labor leader, has accused Chavez of sexually abusing her.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was there, she was a co-organizer, she coined the phrase \u2018s\u00ed se puede.\u2019 She\u2019s been there as a fighter for workers\u2019 rights, for women\u2019s rights and for human dignity \u2026 so we made the recommendation, and I think council is taking it to heart,\u201d Garcia told KHOU 11.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo legacy, no matter how historic and impactful, places anyone above accountability. I believe and stand with the victims,\u201d Garcia said during the meeting. She wore a Dolores Huerta pin on her blazer.<\/p>\n
Mayor Whitmire emphasized the urgency of the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis cannot be taken more seriously,\u201d he said. \u201cFor full transparency, we\u2019re expediting to the point that Public Works is going to print today to make new signs.\u201d<\/p>\n
KHOU 11 has reached out to the mayor\u2019s office to clarify whether temporary signage will be installed while the formal renaming process is completed.<\/p>\n