Albuquerque to Discuss Renaming Avenida Cesar Chavez

First public meeting on proposal to remove labor leader's name from streets following sexual abuse allegations

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:04pm

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A dimly lit city street intersection at dusk, with warm, golden light casting long shadows across the pavement and buildings, creating a contemplative, nostalgic mood.As Albuquerque grapples with the legacy of Cesar Chavez, a public meeting aims to gather community input on renaming streets that bear the labor leader's name.Albuquerque Today

Albuquerque city leaders will hold their first public meeting on a proposal to rename streets that reference Cesar Chavez, the late labor and civil rights activist, following a New York Times investigation in which multiple women accused him of sexual abuse, including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta. The city has already removed Chavez's name from a community center but has yet to decide what the new name will be.

Why it matters

The decision to potentially remove Chavez's name from public spaces in Albuquerque reflects a broader reckoning over the legacy of civil rights leaders accused of misconduct, as communities grapple with how to honor figures whose actions may not align with their public reputations.

The details

The public meeting will take place at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Fourth Street Southwest and begins at 6 p.m. Community members are invited to attend and provide input on the proposal to rename streets that currently reference Cesar Chavez.

  • The first public meeting on the proposal will be held on March 31, 2026.
  • Albuquerque has already removed Chavez's name from a community center, but has not yet decided on new names for streets.

The players

Cesar Chavez

The late labor and civil rights activist who has been accused of sexual abuse by multiple women, according to a New York Times investigation.

Dolores Huerta

A civil rights leader who was also among those who accused Cesar Chavez of sexual abuse.

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What’s next

The city has yet to decide on new names for the streets that currently reference Cesar Chavez, and will be gathering public input at the upcoming meeting.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and evolving nature of how communities choose to honor historical figures, as new information comes to light that challenges the traditional narratives around their legacies.