How San Diego is removing ties to César Chávez
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A mural for César Chávez in Barrio Logan on March 18. Photo: K.C. Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images
Agencies across San Diego are working to ditch the name César Chávez.
The big picture: After a New York Times investigation detailed multiple abuse allegations against the late labor leader last month, elected officials and leaders have been changing the names of parks, schools and the California holiday honoring Chávez.
- Local organizers also canceled and renamed events tied to him.
Driving the news: San Diego's school board will vote Monday night on starting a process to change the name of César Chávez Elementary School in Southcrest.
- If that is approved, the school district will create a naming committee and gather input from students, staff and families on what the school's new name should be.
- The San Diego Community College District is also holding a special meeting on Monday to discuss changing the name of its César E. Chávez campus in Barrio Logan.
What they're saying: "We are deeply mindful of the complexity of this moment and the impact it may have on our community," school superintendent Fabiola Bagula said in a statement. "As a district, we are committed to creating space for thoughtful, respectful conversations and to supporting our educators and school communities throughout this process."
Zoom out: The city, the Port of San Diego and the Chicano Park Steering Committee are changing the local parks and streets that honor Chávez.
- Cal State San Marcos also quickly covered up, then removed a Chávez statue from campus, and is determining a replacement, while Southwestern College removed his name from buildings, KPBS reported.
The Port renamed César Chávez Park to Port Park in Barrio Logan, for now.
- The Board of Port Commissioners will advise staff on next steps for officially renaming the property at its next meeting on April 21.
The city is leading the process to rename César Chávez Parkway, which runs through Barrio Logan and Logan Heights.
- Staff are seeking input from residents and the official change will need City Council approval.
- They are also working to remove or replace all public-facing references to Chávez, including on the city's physical facilities, signs, programs and online.
The Chicano Park Steering Committee is working with the artists to restore vandalized Chávez murals at Chicano Park. The group also proposed renaming the Port park to Chicano Park on the Bay and the parkway to Chicano Park Boulevard.
💭 Some of our readers suggested the local landmarks should honor labor leader Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Chávez.