The Brief
- Milwaukee leaders approved renaming Cesar Chavez Drive.
- A New York Times report claimed the late labor leader committed sexual abuse.
- In 1996, Milwaukee renamed a stretch of 16th Street after Chavez.
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee’s Common Council on Tuesday approved renaming Cesar Chavez Drive on the city’s south side.
There was no debate or discussion, and the final vote was: 13 yes, one abstained and one excused. Ald. JoCasta Zamarippa initially voted yes but asked to change her vote from yes to abstained.
Abuse allegations
The backstory:
In March, a New York Times report claimed Chavez sexually abused two girls. The late civil rights and labor leader co-founded the United Farm Workers with Dolores Huerta, who also reported abuse by Chavez.
Zamarripa announced the cancellation of the city’s Cesar Chavez Day celebration in response to the allegations. She said there would be a broader community discussion about renaming Cesar Chavez Drive.…