The City of Riverside and the Riverside Latino Network have begun a community outreach process to gather input on the future of two physically separate but symbolically linked sites:
- The Cesar Chavez Community Center on University Avenue, currently closed for renovations
- The Cesar Chavez memorial statue on Main Street, owned by the Riverside Latino Network and located on public land
No name change is on the table yet. According to The Riverside Record, the city's stated goal is "to ensure any future consideration is community-informed, transparent and inclusive" — per Recreation Supervisor Jessica Ochoa.
Why this is happening now
A New York Times investigation published in March 2026 detailed allegations that Chavez sexually abused at least two women in the 1970s when they were minors. The investigation also reported that Dolores Huerta — co-founder of the United Farm Workers alongside Chavez — alleged he sexually assaulted her twice in the 1960s.
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson issued a March 19 statement calling for a "thoughtful review." On April 29, the Parks and Recreation Commission received an informational update on the engagement plan.
This is part of a national pattern. Several jurisdictions — Racine, Wisconsin; San Diego Community College District; the University of Arizona — have begun similar reviews following the Times reporting.
Who's leading the process
- Riverside Latino Network president Alex Cortez: "We have been actively working on this issue and want our decision to align with our community's values."
- Councilmember Philip Falcone is coordinating the outreach plan, which the Record reports will involve Eastside neighborhood residents, farm workers, and labor unions.
- Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson convenes the Multicultural Forum where the next public discussion is planned.
Timeline
- June 3, 2026: Mayor's Multicultural Forum — next public discussion
- Second half of 2026: comprehensive outreach plan implementation
- Memorial: RLN board met with the original committee, city officials, and the sculptor; survey distributed
- Community Center: under renovation; physical reopening separate from any naming discussion
Per Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kevin Dawson: "I hope that we are able to give it enough time to come to some thoughtful decision."
What to watch
- Survey results when published. The aggregated community sentiment will likely shape what options the Council considers.
- Whether the discussion remains parallel (the city handles the building, RLN handles the statue) or merges into a single decision.
- National context. What other jurisdictions decide will inform — though not dictate — Riverside's approach.
This is a community-defined process by design. We'll cover the milestones as they come.