Former SF supervisor behind Cesar Chavez St. name in 1995 wants to change it after abuse allegations

"In the early 1990s, San Francisco decided it was time to honor Cesar Chavez by adding his name to buildings and a well-known street. Much to the disappointment of many, it is now almost certain that will have to change. Adding the name Cesar Chavez to a major San Francisco thoroughfare was controversial in 1995."

"Even after the Board of Supervisors voted to change the name to Cesar Chavez, another proposal appeared on the ballot to change it back to Army Street. Voters ended up rejecting it. Then San Francisco Supervisor Susan Leal was the main proponent behind naming the street after the labor leader. Now, after the current allegations, everything has changed."

"There are other notable locations named after Chavez like the San Francisco State University Student Union. A mural in his honor was also dedicated in 1995. And like in many other cities, a school in San Francisco also bears his name. The mural at the school in the Mission District seems to portray Chavez as a 'saintly' figure."

In 1995, San Francisco renamed Army Street to Cesar Chavez Street to honor the labor leader, a decision that divided the community. Residents debated the change, with some preferring the original Army Street name while others supported honoring Chavez. The Board of Supervisors approved the change, and voters rejected a ballot measure to revert it. Multiple San Francisco locations bear Chavez's name, including a school and university student union with commemorative murals. Recent sexual assault allegations against Chavez have prompted reconsideration of these tributes, with former Supervisor Susan Leal, who championed the original street naming, now supporting a name change.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco