EAST LOS ANGELES : Part of Brooklyn Avenue to Be Renamed for Chavez
The Board of Supervisors narrowly agreed Thursday to rename a two-mile stretch of a store-lined East Los Angeles thoroughfare Cesar E. Chavez Avenue despite the protests of some merchants.
On a 3-2 vote, the board renamed an unincorporated part of Brooklyn Avenue from Indiana Street on the west to Vancouver Street on the east. The name change goes into effect March 31, the birthday of the late farm labor leader.
“We do this with great, great passion,” said Supervisor Gloria Molina, who represents the area and was a longtime Chavez admirer. Voting with her to make the change were Supervisors Ed Edelman and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Deane Dana voted “no,” saying such a decision should be left up to the electorate.
Several property owners and merchants protested the change, contending that it ignores the avenue’s history as a multicultural business magnet and forgets the significant contribution that Jewish Americans made to the area.
In making the change, the supervisors directed that signs be posted signifying that the roadway was previously known as Brooklyn Avenue.
Earlier this month, the City Council approved changing the name of a stretch of Brooklyn within city limits, along with Macy Street and a portion of Sunset Boulevard, to Cesar E. Chavez Avenue.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
