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Content Note: this story references allegations of sexual abuse, including against minors.
For 31 years, one of San Francisco's busiest streets has carried the name of the farmworker movement's most famous man, Cesar Chavez. If a new ordinance passes, it will carry the name of the women who did much of the work.
Supervisor Jackie Fielder introduced legislation on October 20 to rename Cesar Chavez Street "Las Campesinas," Spanish for women farmworkers. Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Shamann Walton and Myrna Melgar signed on, according to Mission Local.
Why is San Francisco Renaming Cesar Chavez Street?
In March, The New York Times published an investigation alleging that Cesar Chavez, the legendary organizer and co-founder of the now, United Farm Workers (UFW) sexually abused women and girls during his years leading the United Farm Workers. Two women told the Times the abuse began when they were 12 or 13. Dolores Huerta, who cofounded the union with Chavez, said he raped her in 1966.
As reported by NPR, "I am nearly 96 years old and, for the last 60 years, have kept this secret," she said.
Chavez died in 1993. The Cesar Chavez Foundation said it was shocked and saddened by the allegations. The UFW canceled its Cesar Chavez Day events, and cities across the country began rethinking the monuments, schools and holidays bearing his name.
San Francisco's turn came quickly. Mayor Daniel Lurie formed a working group of activists, artists and residents, co-chaired by former Supervisor Susan Leal and Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres.
Assessor-Recorder Joaquín Torres told San Francisco's Mission Local, "What brought us here is the allegations of sexual abuse and violence against young women and girls."
Why "Las Campesinas"?
The group weighed several names, including Dolores Huerta's own, but kept coming back to the farm workers' movement rather than any single person. Dolores Huerta may have signaled she didn't want to be named after anything as well. Its two finalists were "Las Campesinas" and "Sí Se Puede," the rallying cry and well-known slogan for U.S. Latinos that Dolores Huerta coined. After a September San Francisco community meeting, 668 locals sent in comments online, and the mayor's office said "Las Campesinas" led by a significant margin.
"They are a backbone of the very movement this street was named to honor," the working group said of the women it chose.
Not Everyone is on Board
According to The San Francisco Standard the name is hard to spell or pronounce for some neighbors. Other locals much prefer a mural or festival that would honor farmworker women better than new signs. One business owner said she was glad to drop Chavez from her home address, even though new signage will cost her.
What Happens Next?
The full San Francisco Board of Supervisors still has to vote. A final name could be set as soon as December, according to KQED. Could this set a precedent for other cities to rethink the honor of Cesar Chavez on city landmarks and more?
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