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Hispanic Leadership Council urges removal of Cesar Chavez name from Abilene rec center
Summary
At the City Council public-comment period, Samuel Garcia of the Hispanic Leadership Council asked council to remove Cesar Chavez’s name from a recreation center before its opening, citing recently surfaced facts and urging the city to reconsider signage and naming prior to any grand opening.
Samuel Garcia, speaking for the Hispanic Leadership Council, asked the council during public comment to remove Cesar Chavez’s name from the new recreation facility before a scheduled opening. “After what you learn … what was done to young girls, you remove that name,” Garcia said, urging prompt action prior to any ribbon cutting.
Garcia said the council and Parks & Recreation had previously negotiated on the rec center’s name and that the group now believes the name should be removed. He offered alternatives—including local leaders’ names—and asked staff and the Parks board to begin the renaming process before the center opens. Mayor Mariani acknowledged the comment during the meeting's public comment period and council members listened but did not take formal action on the request during that session.
