Sarah Pilibos, president of Stephen Investments, speaks out against the name change in an April 27, 2023 press conference. Photo by Ben Hensley

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz announced Tuesday that the city has prevailed in a lawsuit challenging the renaming of various streets in honor of Cesar Chavez.

Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jonathan Skiles presided over the lawsuit filed in July 2023 by 1 Community Compact, a group opposed to the renaming. Skiles granted the City of Fresno’s motion for summary judgement and denied 1 Community Compact’s request to prevent the renaming of Kings Canyon Road after the late farmworker rights icon.

As of today, new street signs have been installed, and most businesses and the Post Office have formally transitioned to the new street name, Janz said in a statement.

The signs were replaced with the Cesar Chavez Boulevard name by July 2024, despite the lawsuit.

“We are grateful for the Court’s ruling in favor of the City of Fresno and its recognition that the City through the City Council acted within its broad authority. This decision solidifies the City’s efforts to honor Cesar Chavez’s enduring legacy by ensuring the renaming of the street aligns with our community’s shared values of justice, equality, and community empowerment.”

In March of 2023, the City of Fresno became the first and only city in the San Joaquin Valley to name a street after Chavez, who previously led the United Farmworkers movement. The name change was sponsored by former City Councilmember, now County Supervisor, Luis Chavez, and current Councilmembers Nelson Esparza and Miguel Arias. The vote passed 6-1.