Name change idea riles Chinese community

Name change idea riles Chinese community

Fourth Avenue, the street being considered for the name change, runs through the heart of Portland's Chinatown, including through the ornate gate on West Burnside Street.

By Jeff Jaeger and KATU Web Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. - The fight over naming a Portland street after Cesar Chavez is heating up again.

The Portland City Council will hear testimony at a public debate at city hall Wednesday morning on the new option to re-name Fourth Avenue for the late labor rights leader.
    
The major issue now: Fourth Avenue runs through the heart of downtown Portland's historic Chinatown area.
    
Members of the Chinese community are upset that the idea was proposed without even considering them and said they plan to attend the Wednesday meeting.

"I think it'd be confusing for a lot of people," CCBA President Richard Louie said. "Especially tourists that want to come down to Chinatown, and just tell them it's right down the middle of Cesar Chavez."

The city will hear public comment on their renaming decision at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Since the City Council voted to re-name Fourth Avenue instead of Interstate Avenue, the Latino community has also been upset with the new choice.
    
A meeting in Chinatown is scheduled before the hearing to organize and prepare for what will likely be a vigorous debate.
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