A dispute has erupted in Sacramento after officials declined to adopt “Union Plaza” as the new name for Cesar Chavez Plaza, even though it received the most support in a public vote. Commissioners argued that the proposed name does not sufficiently recognize the city’s Mexican-American heritage.
Sacramento’s Parks and Community Enrichment Commission had backed renaming the historic, one-block public park and civic square in downtown Sacramento following statewide criticism over allegations that labor leader Cesar Chavez sexually abused and raped multiple women and young girls.
More than 2,600 residents offered feedback after the city began the process of renaming the 175-year-old plaza. Union Plaza emerged as the leading choice, receiving 450 votes.
Dolores Huerta Park finished second with 243 votes, followed by Farmworkers Plaza with 198. The naming debate drew mockery from some people on social media, while others called for the plaza to return to its original name, Plaza Park.
Some commissioners have since argued that Union Plaza is not an appropriate choice because it fails to adequately reflect Mexican-American heritage, KCRA reported.
Several commission members said they were reluctant to move away from the result of the public 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,” Commissioner Monique Langer said.
Commission Chair Jeanine Gaines said she was not especially fond of the proposed name but questioned whether her personal view should override the community’s decision. “I didn’t necessarily like it, but I don’t know if my feelings can push me to outweigh what the people said,” she said.
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The commission will now examine other possibilities and is considering consulting local organizations focused on Mexican-American interests.
Officials have not established a timetable for the next round of consultations. Any alternative name would ultimately require approval from the Sacramento City Council.
For now, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said the plaza will continue to be known as Union Plaza.
“We respect our advisory Parks Commission, but will disagree with their action and proceed accordingly with the community-supported name change to Union Plaza,” McCarty said in a statement.
Sacramento realtor Steve Walker was among those on social media criticizing the commission’s decision to consider alternatives to Plaza Park, the square’s original name before it was renamed in the 1990s to honor the disgraced labor leader.
“What’s wrong with the original name of Plaza Park? It was totally inclusive and it’s historically correct,” Walker wrote on Facebook.
Brin Londeaux also supported restoring the original name. “Maybe they shouldn’t name places after people, in case they wind up becoming politically problematic down the road,” Londeaux said.
Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum said city officials would seek the broadest possible agreement on any future name.
“We will continue to work to find a suitable solution that works for as many as possible,” Pluckebaum, who represents the district where the park is located, told The Sacramento Bee.
