Austin seeks public input on possible César Chávez Street renaming

Photo credit: CBS Austin

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin officials are asking residents whether the city should rename César Chávez Street following sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader, with three public meetings and an online survey planned before officials present the feedback to the Austin City Council.

The city will ask residents two questions: whether César Chávez Street should receive a new name and, if so, what name should replace it.

The public meetings will take place at the following times and locations:

  • Aug. 11: Austin Central Library
  • Aug. 15: Sanchez Elementary School
  • Aug. 18: Online via Zoom

City officials will also launch an online survey to collect additional feedback from residents who cannot attend the meetings.

The discussion follows calls from several City Council members to consider changing the street’s name after sexual abuse allegations against Chávez emerged in March 2026.

César Chávez Street has been part of Austin’s history since the city’s founding in 1839. The street originally carried the name Water Avenue before the city renamed it First Street.

Austin renamed the street César Chávez Street in 1993 to honor the labor leader and recognize the city’s Mexican American, Chicano and Latino communities and their connections to the farmworker movement and civil rights.

City officials will compile the public feedback and present the results to the Austin City Council as it considers whether to change the street’s name.

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