A furor has erupted in Sacramento after officials refused to rename the city’s Cesar Chavez Plaza ‘Union Plaza’ despite the name winning a popular vote – claiming it doesn’t adequately honor Mexican heritage.
Sacramento’s Parks and Community Enrichment Commission decided the rename the plaza – a historic one-block public park and civic square in downtown Sacramento – after state-wide outcry over allegations the labor leader sexually abused and raped multiple women and young girls.
After the city decided to rename the 175-year-old plaza, more that 2,600 locals provided input on the renaming process, with Union Plaza receiving the most votes with 450.
After Union Plaza, there were 243 votes for Dolores Huerta Park and 198 votes for Farmworkers Plaza to round out the top three options. Many on social media rolled eyes over the naming debate, with a couple demanding a reversion to the original name, Plaza Park.
However, now some commissioners have claimed Union Plaza is not suitable as it does not adequately honor Mexican-American heritage, KCRA reported.
A few commission members said they were hesitant on veering away from the popular vote.
“We have now erased the legacy of the people from that plaza, and we’ve erased the identity of the people who built that legacy, and to me it does not feel thoughtful, it does not feel intentional, it does not feel inclusive, it does not feel ethical,” said Commissioner Monique Langer.
Commission chair, Jeanine Gaines, said: “I didn’t necessarily like it, but I don’t know if my feelings can push me to outweigh what the people said.”
Now the body has decided to explore different names, with commission considering consulting local groups with Mexican American interests.
No timeline has been set for the next round of consultation, but any new name with go to the city’s council for final approval.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said for now, Union Plaza will still be the new name.
“We respect our advisory Parks Commission, but will disagree with their action and proceed accordingly with the community-supported name change to Union Plaza,” he said in a statement.
Sacramento realtor Steve Walker was one of many on social media to slam the commission’s decision to explore names other than the original, Plaza Park, which was what the square was called before it was renamed to honor the disgraced union leader in the 1990s.
“What’s wrong with the original name of Plaza Park? It was totally inclusive and it’s historically correct,” he said on Facebook.
Brin Londeaux agreed, adding: ”Maybe they shouldn’t name places after people, in case they wind up becoming politically problematic down the road.”
Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum said officials would work to get as much consensus as possible on any new name.
“We will continue to work to find a suitable solution that works for as many as possible,” Pluckebaum, who represents the area where the park is located, told the Sacramento Bee.
