So much for that idea.
Today the City Council voted 3-2 against renaming North Interstate Avenue aver Cesar Chavez–an outcome that was expected but long in coming. More surprisingly, they also voted unanimously against last week’s last-minute compromise to rename Southwest 4th Avenue after Chavez.
Leaders of Portland’s Chinese community made a strong showing in the council chambers. Over the past week they expressed their displeasure with the 4th Avenue proposal. Today, they got public apologies from commissioners, who copped to not having considered the impact of having Chavez Boulevard run through Chinatown.
Commissioner Erik Sten said it would not necessarily have been an insult to the Chinese community. Nevertheless, he scrapped the 4th Avenue proposal, which he had devised with Council colleague Dan Salztman.
“It was a well-meaning idea, but not a good one,” Sten said, drawing applause from the Chinatown delegation of about 20 people.
Mayor Tom Potter was happy be in the majority, for a change, in voting down 4th Avenue. He promised to continue a discussion around the underlying racial tensions that the Chavez debate stirred up.
“Because this is off the table, don’t think that the subject of race is off the table as well. We do need to talk about it,” Potter said.
By contrast, Randy Leonard said the Chavez debate had resulted in “the largest racial showdown in Portland since the summer of 1968.”
“This is not a good discussion, and it needs to stop,” Leonard said.
So, what now?
Next week, Sam Adams will roll out a draft ordinance to change the way streets are named in Portland. The existing process, as Leonard pointed out after today’s meeting, has never been properly followed by City Hall. If the process revision passes, Chavez could return sometime in 2008 to look for a home. But now, of course, he’s got competition.
It bears noting that the Council has taken a seasonally appropriate approach: Take a long break, have a drink, eat a big meal and worry about the dirty dishes tomorrow.
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What would the "impact" of having Chavez Blvd. going through Chinatown be? Who would be injured and how?
No city deserves these creeps, but they sure are funny.
dan maher
What street does future ex-mayor Potter live on?
True story: I was getting a haircut this AM as the big news broke, when the 30-something latino kid in the chair next to me says, "What’s the big deal? He wasn’t that good of a boxer." Barber Shop breaks out in laughter.
Why not rename 23rd Ave or Hawthorne?
No Grapes!
You heard this while getting a haircut?
I fear this is not nearly over and is potentially even worse for the City. If Saltzman’s Ordinance to amend 17.93.050 comes up and passes, the City is in big trouble (not in an "End of the World" way, but more of a "Have you been eating toys made in China?" situation.) This amendment is a Power Grab and not the intent of the State and City laws.
I’ll comment on Sam Adams’ Ordinance to amend when I see it.
How can they, in good faith, claim the law is flawed or problematic when the law has never been followed? Sheesh, these men just keep walking into the rakes.
I’m with Josh. I sounds like these chuckleheads want to rewrite the law so they can legitimize their illegal street-naming attempts over the past few months and come back later with more.
Will someone PLEASE stand up to run against Adams for mayor?
This issue is highly charged emotionally. Why don’t we put it to a referendum vote? Let the people decide.
I’m thinking this is all about our city council wanting a street in Mexico named after them.
Quid pro quo……
We could just rename NW 23rd Cesar Chavez Boulevard…
JB,
Its about not talking to the community that would be affected. The last minute compromise of 4th Ave was thought up because it is where City Hall is located therefore a "good alternative". But the City Council didn’t follow the rules, didn’t talk to the neighborhood and was trying to force it on the community. Much like the Latino community did with the Interstate proposal.
Plus you have admit it would be ironic that the main street through Chinatown is named for a Hispanic leader.
Thanks, BS, for the non-BS.
I don’t think it would be any more ironic than having a bunch of streets named for white men who worked to exclude Chinese-Americans from gaining full access to society’s resources running through Chinatown.
I think Tom Potter is a hero that should be worshipped like a demi-god. His muscly arms wrapped around the poor huddled Mexican masses, his gin-blossom like a beacon of freedom in a dark sea of other crusty white guys. His long willowy hair blowing in the breeze tinted with the sound of Kenny McChesney. He like Jesus, or Jesus as it is pronounced in Spanish, is being crucified is his comfortable, yet professional Mach 3 La-z-boy swivel chair. Randy
JB
Were the streets named before Chinatown emerged or after? I don’t know the answer. If the streets were named after then yes the same irony applies. If Chinatown emerged after the streets were named then it doesn’t really matter. And if the Chinese residents want to change the names they have that right, just follow the now well publicized rules. And good luck talking to all the neighborhoods those streets run though.
I grew up in California during the time that Chavez was fighting for migrant workers rights. I think a tribute to Cesar Chavez would be good, this attempt was really poorly handled. The organizing group should take some time to regroup and come up with a new plan. Then do a much better PR job to get the public behind the idea.
Foret street renaming. We should erect a statue downtown in Tweakers Park, thus recognizing him and many other illegal latino immigrants for their contribution to America.
CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG.
Sometimes naming streets, buildings, parks, bridges, schools after certain people strains our collective senses of right and wrong.
I can’t believe Congress hasn’t removed the name Hoover from the FBI building. As I lived in downtown for 10 years, I didn’t perceive Chinatown to be a "real" Chinatown like San Francisco or Oakland. It’s got the beautiful Chinese Garden and some restaurants but not teeming with Chinese.
There are schools galore in some cities named after people so obscure you wonder if the "honor" wasn’t a little over-the-top.
Take a deep breath Portland. If most of us were Latinos we very possibly would be trying to get here, too. Chavez is a person honoring in some fashion as a person who brought to all of our attentions that those workers deserved better.
Maybe it should go to a vote, but before there’s a vote, be sure there is respectful public discussion. Portland is a classy city and never backs away from tough issues.
Do we really have to remind you people again that Chavez was born in Yuma, AZ? The man was a native-born American. So cut the bigotry, okay?
Good point. Getting back to the topic: Pick one of the parks, put up a statue and some plaques that spell out Chavez’s contributions. That’s a better way to honor him, anyway. It’s more visual.
Why should it bother the Chinese? Do they not "honor diversity"? Do they hate Mexicans? Does "honoring diversity" only apply to Americans of European descent?
[...] three council members who went through the first round of unsuccessful efforts in 2007 to rename a street (Interstate) for Chavez are Commissioners Dan Saltzman and Randy Leonard, as well [...]