EASTSIDE : Sign of the Times: Cesar Chavez Avenue

Shouts of “Viva Cesar Chavez” could be heard throughout last week’s dedication ceremonies that turned Brooklyn Avenue into Cesar E. Chavez Avenue.

Schoolchildren from Pacoima, Pico-Union and East Los Angeles attended the two-hour ceremony for the street sign unveiling Thursday, Chavez’s birthday, at the five-points intersection at Indiana Street, where the city and county borders meet. The red flags of the United Farm Workers of America were hoisted by the scores who had come to witness the name change of one of the city’s oldest streets.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and City Council approved the name change in October. Some local merchants opposed the change, saying the street was once the center of Boyle Heights’ Jewish community, and they fear that history will be forgotten.

The new signs show that the street was formerly Brooklyn Avenue.

“I’m glad that when I drive up and down this street, which was Brooklyn Avenue and some people will continue to call it Brooklyn Avenue, that now it’s going to be Cesar E. Chavez Avenue,” said Supervisor Gloria Molina, who then led the crowd of about 250 in shouts of praise for Chavez, who died last April 23.

Speeches were marked with memories of Chavez, his historic fights for farm workers in California’s Central Valley and his fasts to bring attention to the plight of the workers and their children.

David Martinez, secretary of the UFW and a friend of Chavez’s, spoke of the continuing struggle. “There are frightening rates of cancer and birth defects among our children,” Martinez said. “And to add misery to the suffering of our children, one out of three children goes hungry every month. Guess whose children they are?”

Councilman Richard Alatorre, who as an assemblyman authored legislation to allow secret ballots for farm worker union votes, said the street name change was a token of the people’s appreciation for Chavez’s work.

“He lived his life for justice, and we must never forget what he stood for,” Alatorre said.

Charlie Tamayo, 7, and his classmates from Esperanza Elementary in Pico-Union, sat at the back of the crowd until the strong sun forced them to the shaded curb. Their teacher, Tery Betancourt, made sure they knew what they were there for.

“He helped all the people,” said Charlie. “Cesar Chavez helped all the poor people.”