PORTLAND, Ore. - It's been North Interstate Avenue for decades, but some people are calling for a new name for the roadway that used to be the first Portland freeway, and the proposed name comes with controversy.

The name under consideration is Cesar Chavez Boulevard, which supporters say honors the man who helped organize migrant workers.
    
Wednesday night, Portland officials got an earful from angry neighbors opposed to the name and also those who support the proposed change. Several hundred people packed a North Portland school for the meeting.

The packed room was alternately calm and raucous as people voiced their opinion, including Lois Statahan, who said "to me he [Chavez] is a wonderful labor organizer.. that ever came down the pipe."

John Reinhold said "I support honoring Cesar Chavezm, I oppose changing any more Portland streets."

Reinhold continued, saying "It is not a democratic process when we see a presentation that supports the name change but not one that supports the history and opposition."

Many in the crowd responded with loud applause.

Penny Schumacher said "You need to come back and look at who is affected by this, and it's the people of north Portland who have said we don't want it."

Marta Guembes, the daughter of migrant farmworkers, told KATU News outside the meeting that she hoped the proposed name change would teach others about the man who improved the lives of so many.

"How can you not be passionate for someone who was a hero in our community," Guembes said. She said she was surprised to find so much racism involved in the issue.

Inside the meeting, Terry Detz said the disagreement is not a "hate issue," and that those who want to name something for Chavez need to "pick out something else."

Local neighborhood associations worry about the financial impact on the 90-plus businesses along Interstate Avenue.

Many businesses along the street have incorporated the word "Interstate" into their business names and say a name change would be a hardship for them.

Meeting attendees also voiced frustration over another recent street name change, when Portland Boulevard was changed to Rosa Parks Boulevard.  The city made the change without any public input.

Terry Detz said "In my opinion, we were hoodwinked by the city council, city and mayor."

Shirley Warner agreed, saying the Rosa Parks name change "was a done deal before we realized they were even talking about it."

The Chavez name change, even though it is being discussed, will also ultimately be up to the Portland City Council and Mayor Potter, who has made his opinion clear.

"I consider him to be more than just a hero to the Latino community," Potter said, "I consider him to be an American hero."

Those opposed to the change have tried to encourage the city to name something new after Chavez, like a park, a MAX line or the new Sauvie Island bridge.
    
But when name change supporters were asked if they would be willing to compromise and put the Chavez name somewhere else, the answer was flat out "no."
   
Another meeting will be held next week and the Portland City Council will make a decision by the start of next year.