Long Beach will hold community sessions and seek public input on renaming César Chávez Park and other city assets bearing the name of the late labor leader, following allegations of sexual abuse reported earlier this year.
The City Council directed staff to begin the renaming process. The city’s Office of Equity formed an interdepartmental workgroup with representatives from the City Manager’s Office and the departments of Parks, Recreation and Marine; Health and Human Services; and Library, Arts and Culture.
The city said the sessions will give residents an opportunity to share experiences and recommend new names. Feedback will help shape recommendations presented to the City Council.
A virtual session is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. In-person sessions are planned for Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Jenny Oropeza Community Center at César Chávez Park, 401 Golden Ave., and Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave.
Residents who cannot attend may provide feedback through an online survey available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. People with limited access to a computer or smartphone may use a public computer at any open Long Beach Public Library location, city officials said.
The city is seeking recommendations for renaming César E. Chávez Park, Drake Chavez Soccer Fields, Drake Chavez Greenbelt, Drake Chavez Connection and César Chávez Observance Day. The process also will seek recommendations for who might replace Chávez in the Peacemakers’ Mural.
Chávez Elementary School, a Long Beach Unified School District property, will be renamed through a separate district process. The city’s Office of Equity will work with the district.
A New York Times investigation published in March reported allegations that Chávez sexually abused two girls when they were minors. Dolores Huerta, the United Farm Workers co-founder, also said Chávez sexually assaulted her in two encounters decades ago. Chávez died in 1993.