NEWS
ABQ to start process of removing Cesar Chavez's name from buildings, street signs
Mayor says the timeline on changes is unknown, but it will be important to get community input
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The city of Albuquerque will begin the process of removing Cesar Chavez鈥檚 name from street signs, murals and buildings, Mayor Tim Keller said Thursday.
The announcement came a day after allegations surfaced that the civil rights leader raped and sexually assaulted underage girls. His alleged victims included longtime farmworker activist Dolores Huerta, who issued a statement saying she experienced coerced and forced sexual encounters with Chavez that resulted in pregnancies in the 1960s.
The city, and the state as a whole, has numerous places named after Chavez.
A number of New Mexico leaders spoke out against Chavez on Wednesday, among them state House Speaker Javier Mart铆nez, D-Albuquerque, who said, 鈥淐h谩vez鈥檚 name should be removed from any and all public entities, swiftly.鈥�
On Thursday, during a news conference on the opening of a new animal habitat at the ABQ BioPark, Keller announced City Councilor Joaqu铆n Baca 鈥渉as expressed his intent to change the name鈥� of Avenida Cesar Chavez.
Keller said he will work with Baca but it will 鈥渢ake a little bit of time and council action to change that name.鈥�
鈥淚 remember changing it to Dolores Huerta, one half of it, and I remember you have to notify every landowner and actually get some consent because, again, there are address changes (to make),鈥� the mayor said.
Keller then discussed murals around town bearing images of Chavez.
鈥淚 want to let folks know that murals can be changed in different ways,鈥� he said. 鈥�... It depends if it鈥檚 a public art mural. If it was funded by public arts 鈥� there is a process with which that can be changed that also involves talking with the artist. If it鈥檚 a private mural, typically the artist or the landowner can change it. But the city cannot because it is a private mural.鈥�
The mayor did say the city will begin the process of removing Chavez鈥檚 name from the community center at 7505 Kathryn SE, east of Louisiana.
鈥淏ut the next question is, 鈥榃ell, what are you going to call it?鈥欌�� Keller asked.
While he mentioned a couple of options, including naming it after Huerta, or the International District Community Center, he said, 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to work with (the) community and with city councilors on this and it鈥檚 going to be up to us as a community.鈥�
City Council President Klarissa Pe帽a is going to create a group consisting of Hispanic leaders and other councilors who will discuss 鈥渨hat direction to go,鈥� he said. The National Hispanic Cultural Center will host the meetings, Keller said.
鈥淚t will be up to the community in terms of what鈥檚 best for Albuquerque and what鈥檚 best for New Mexico,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd of course, we want it to reflect in some way the movement. Whether it鈥檚 the movement for labor rights, immigrant rights, or it鈥檚 the farmworkers.鈥�
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
