Cesar Chavez Street renaming delayed

By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | October 2026

The West Side Community Organization has reconvened the Cesar Chavez Street Renaming Committee to determine new dates for community members to vote on the next name of the street, but as of press time a date had not been selected. The vote was originally scheduled for Aug. 18 and 25 but was cancelled due to community feedback saying “Concord Street” should be on the ballot.

Three listening sessions were held in July to gather name options, which resulted in: Del Sol Street, El Barrio Street, El Rio Vista Street, La Raza Street and West Side Street. Criteria established prior to the sessions said no namesakes would be considered for the new street name, and “the new name should honor the original intent behind renaming Concord St. to Cesar Chavez St., reflecting and preserving the Mexican-America heritage and history of the West Side.”

Members of the Cesar Chavez Street renaming committee include Janet Garcia, CEO of Neighborhood House, Milissa Silva, CEO of El Burrito Mercado, Monica Bravo, executive director of WSCO, Lawrence Lucio, West Side resident, and Santino Franco, West Side Fiestas co-chairman. The street is being renamed following a New York Times article published this spring alleging that famed labor and civil rights leader Cesario Estrada “Cesar” Chavez sexually assaulted and abused several women, including minors. Minnesota legislators have already voted to abolish Cesar Chavez Day, which was celebrated on March 31, Chavez’s birth date. The holiday is now called Farmworkers Day.

For more details or to provide feedback, contact WSCO at 651-293-1708 or visit wsco.org.