Sacramento Commission votes against renaming Cesar Chavez Plaza

SACRAMENTO, California. —

The Sacramento Parks and Community Enrichment Commission decided to revisit the name Cesar Chavez Plaza after concerns were raised about the proposed name, Union Plaza, and its alignment with the park’s original intent to celebrate Mexican American heritage.

The downtown square, which has been a part of Sacramento for more than 175 years, was renamed Cesar Chavez Plaza in the 1990s in honor of the late labor and civil rights leader. However, following sexual assault allegations against Chavez that surfaced earlier this year, the city began considering a new name for the square.

The city said more than 2,600 people contributed to the renaming process, with Union Plaza receiving the most votes with 450.

“It’s a name that honors our past while looking toward our future. It’s a fitting name for a public space where Sacramentans have gathered, where we’ve organized, we’ve marched, we’ve stood united,” said a member of the Sacramento Central Labor Council.

Some commissioners supported the name change, emphasizing the importance of public input.

“On this commission we talk about public input all the time and how important it is and how powerful it is, and I want to recognize that 450 citizens provided that information,” said Parks and Community Enrichment Commissioner Lindsey King.

However, other commissioners have expressed concerns that Union Plaza does not adequately honor Mexican-American heritage.

“We have now erased the legacy of the people of this square, and we have erased the identity of the people who built that legacy, and to me it doesn’t seem thoughtful, it doesn’t seem intentional, it doesn’t seem inclusive, it doesn’t seem ethical,” said Parks and Community Enrichment Commissioner Monique Langer.

Jeanine Gaines, chairwoman of the Parks and Community Enrichment Commission, acknowledged the mixed feelings surrounding the name.

“I didn’t necessarily like it, but I don’t know if my feelings can push me to override what people said,” Gaines said.

Ultimately, the commission voted to review the name change process.

“I would like to bring together local groups that have Mexican-American interests and are focused on creating the original heritage intent of the park,” said Parks and Community Enrichment Commissioner Victoria Vasquez.

The motion passed, but no timetable has been set for next steps. Once the commission approves a name, it will be submitted to the City Council for final approval.

The top names identified in the survey were Union Plaza (450 votes), Dolores Huerta Park (243 votes), Farmworkers Plaza (198 votes), People Plaza (98 votes), Plaza Park (89 votes) and Nisenan Plaza (47 votes).

Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said in a statement that the city would continue with the name change.

“We respect our parks advisory commission, but we will disagree with their action and will proceed with the community-supported name change to Union Plaza accordingly,” he said.

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