1 Community Compact files Lawsuit Against City of Fresno for their Reckless Renaming of Kings Canyon, Ventura and California Avenues

On Friday, July 14, 1 Community Compact officially filed a lawsuit in the Fresno County Superior Court to challenge the Fresno City Council’s decision to rename three historic Fresno streets including California, Ventura, and Kings Canyon Avenues, to Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

The vote on March 9, 2023, led by City Councilmembers Miguel Arias, Luis Chavez, and Nelson Esparza, the original co-sponsors of the renaming, along with Councilmembers Mike Karbassi, Annalisa Perea, Tyler Maxwell, and a lack of a veto by Mayor Jerry Dyer is essentially erasing Fresno‘s history. The renaming of more than 10 miles of street was driven by a pursuit of political popularity, costing taxpayers over one million dollars. The city council’s action gave no notice of the intent to change these street names to those directly affected, a major disservice to constituents.

For the families, tenants, businesses, and houses of worship along this corridor, each name represents memories and livelihoods directly attached to the street names. Since the city’s founding in 1872, these streets have had meaning. Now the City Council has overstepped its authority by changing these names without their citizens' right to control their property or express their concerns.

The entire lawsuit can be viewed online at www.1communitycompact.com/lawsuit

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For inquiries, please contact Pastor B.T. Lewis (559) 577-2656

1 Community Compact is a joint coalition of businesses and residents from Southeast, Southwest and South Central Fresno united to preserve the unique history and heritage of our city streets in the spirit of “One Fresno.”