Idea floated to name street after Cesar Chavez

PORTLAND, Ore. - First it was Rosa Parks, now it may be Cesar Chavez who gets a Portland street named after him.

There is a new proposal to change the name of Interstate Avenue to Cesar Chavez Boulevard, after the Mexican-American labor activist.

The effort is just getting started. A local Latino group has approached businesses and the mayor's office to ask for their support on this idea.

Cesar Chavez passed away 14 years ago, but his legacy lives on. He is still praised today for his skills in organizing and improving working conditions and wages for farm workers across America.

Local supporters say his efforts brought him here to Oregon on a number of occasions to work with the Latino community.

Many business owners on Interstate say they are just learning about this idea and think it is a noble cause, but they want to know more.

"I think they'd probably have to let people know a bit," said Sara Sawicki, restaurant owner. "Changing the name to someone a lot of people haven't heard about - it would be great if they educated us so we know why they named a street after him."

The proposal to rename the street is still in the preliminary stage.

Sawicki said it if does happen, she hopes there will be a grace period so businesses can adjust their signs and business cards.