Hollister considers removing Cesar Chavez’s name from public spaces
By Felix Cortez
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HOLLISTER, Calif. (KSBW) — Hollister is considering removing Cesar Chavez’s name from public spaces after a New York Times report accused him of sexual assault and molestation.
Hollister Mayor Roxanne Stephens, who lives near Avenida Cesar Chavez, expressed her emotional struggle with the situation.
“For me, I have a heavy heart and it will be very difficult to pass by that sign every day. I can only imagine the sentiments of victims of sexual assault,” Stephens said.
Stephens has called for a special council meeting on Thursday to discuss whether the street and a proposed park named after Chavez should be changed.
“Whether it’s appropriate to have any structures that are part of the city honoring an individual who engaged in victimizing women and young girls. So we have to think about that,” Stephens said.
Hollister is one of the first cities to publicly debate the removal of Chavez’s name from schools, parks, and streets, following the report that accused him of sexually assaulting women and children, with the youngest alleged victim being 12 years old.
A local man, Scott Leifheit, suggested renaming the spaces for other advocates.
“If he’s being accused of something of wrongdoing, maybe they can, you know, rename it for other people who fought the cause. You know, instead of Cesar Chavez,” Leifheit said.
However, another Hollister resident, Yvonne Sanchez, urged caution.
“You know, we got to take maybe more time to look at all the facts because what he did was great. And so we can’t just say one thing takes away from that. Also,” Sanchez said.
The special council meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall in Hollister. It will serve as a listening session to provide direction on the possible removal of Chavez’s name from a city street and a proposed park.
Should the city decide to proceed, it will be an action item set for a later date. Similar discussions are expected to occur in other city councils across the state.
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