Cesar Chavez Boulevard signs removed impacting local businesses a second time

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Signs of history removed, dismantling the now disgraced legacy of Cesar Chavez.

"The city workers pass by, they started changing signs, and so now it says Ventura," said Thalia Arenas, minister and owner of Marry Me Wedding Chapel.

On Friday, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer alongside city workers replaced nearly 200 signs bearing the name of the once celebrated Latino civil rights icon following a bombshell New York Times investigation that revealed claims of sexual abuse.

The Latina entrepreneur described the impacts to her small business that is located on what once was Cesar Chavez Boulevard. The name change felt on a personal and professional level as she serves as clientele that is 70 percent Hispanic.

"It's just too bad that, you know, it has to be a part of my community, but I just hope that other figures, public figures, are also taken with the same regard and swiftness," said Arenas.

On April 23, council members took immediate action and unanimously voted to rename the 10-mile stretch of roadway in southeast Fresno.

City leaders showed a united front against those allegations and restored the Fresno roadway to "Kings Canyon," " Ventura," and "California Avenue."

"Given the information that we know today, this is the right thing to do," said Council member Annalisa Perea.

Those street signs were previously replaced with "Cesar Chavez" signs less than two years ago.

On March 9, 2023, the Fresno City Council voted six to one to rename portions of the corridor to Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Council member Gerry Bredefeld was the only council member not in favor of the renaming.

Arenas described that time as strange for her small business.

"We all had to update our information, and then it just happened, like, about a year and a half ago, and now we have to do it all over again," said Arenas.

The name change has left many of her clients disgruntled because of the changing address. The crucial detail left wedding guests lost at ceremonies for her clients.

"With people planning ahead of time for their big events, having to change their invitations, things like that, notifying other guests, that can be very impactful, very stressful for a bride," said Arenas.

The City of Fresno announced the street sign replacement project will be completed by early next week.

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