San José City Council renames downtown plaza

The San José City Council has unanimously voted to rename the city’s oldest public gathering space, formerly known as Plaza de Cesar Chavez, to Plaza de San José. The decision follows a months-long community engagement process that included listening sessions and a ranked-choice survey.

The renaming process was initiated after allegations of sexual abuse against the late civil rights leader César Chávez surfaced. The city’s survey, which received over 10,500 responses, showed that Plaza de San José was the clear community preference, receiving more first-choice votes than the second and third-place options combined.

Finalists for the new name included Plaza de San José, Farmworkers Plaza, Plaza Park, Plaza del Pueblo, and Plaza de Quetzalcoatl. Councilmember Anthony Tordillos noted that the new name reflects the Spanish and Mexican heritage of the city and the historical significance of the site, which served as the location of California’s first State Capitol.