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MLK and Chavez Street Signs Changed

After more than 20 years of fighting, community leaders are celebrating the renaming of two Grand Rapids streets after Civil Rights Icons Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez.

New names have taken over what was previously Franklin Street and Grandville Avenue. The two Grand Rapids streets have been officially changed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar E. Chavez, both Civil Rights heroes in their own respects.

“These two leaders are a prime example of how to get change, systematic change,” Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack said.

Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack led the change, along with Lupe Ramos Montigney, both co-chairs for the group March: Moving Ahead for Remarkable Civil Rights Heroes. They started the street change movement more than 20 years ago. As they debut the new names during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday Womack says he thinks toward the representation this will bring to the next generation of leaders.

“Our youth are getting very active in politics and liberty and fighting for freedom for all people, they are fighting for all people,” he said.