San Francisco proposes new names for Cesar Chavez Street amid controversy
A city working group presented two alternative names for Cesar Chavez Street, sparking debate over the change and its cost.
In a recent community meeting, San Francisco introduced two candidate names to rename the stretch known as Cesar Chavez Street, responding to early-year accusations of sexual abuse against the labor icon. The options—“Sí Se Puede,” the United Farm Workers slogan coined by Dolores Huerta, and “Las Campesinas,” meaning female farmworkers—were narrowed down by a 27-person working group that included representatives from the three supervisor districts the road traverses.
Supervisor Susan Leal explained the intent to recognize Latino resilience while avoiding celebration of a controversial figure. Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres, who co-led the group, said a final recommendation will be issued next week, followed by legislation from Supervisor Jackie Fielder’s office. Residents voiced mixed reactions, with some urging a revert to the pre-1995 name Army Street and others criticizing the new proposals as unnecessary virtue-signaling. The city estimates $107,000 for signage and sidewalk updates and will assist businesses in updating addresses.
