Final update: The council has voted to rename 4th Avenue for César E. Chávez on the first reading. Now it’ll head to the planning commission, then back to the council for a second reading and final vote. Marta Guembes, Bertha Ferran, Melanie Davis, and other Interstate rename supporters around the room have stood up, and are turning their back on the council.

Update: Public testimony is finally over, at 6:35 pm. Now it’s time for council discussion and votes… this will get interesting. Sten just said he’s “going to surprise my colleagues a little bit.”

7:12 Update: We just had three votes to substitute Saltzman’s “let’s consider 4th” idea for Interstate, which means it passes. Now the council is considering 4th. Adams voted for it, Leonard’s speaking to it. (The substitution, I believe, means there will be no up or down vote on Interstate.)

7:18 Update: There are three votes for 4th. Sten’s up now, then Potter. Sten’s seeming like a fourth vote. Will Potter vote against it?

Original entry: There are three rules we’re going to observe today, says Mayor Tom Potter. Jazz fingers if you agree—no booing—no signs or placards (though the pro-rename t-shirts that most supporters are wearing probably squeak in) and comments will be restricted to two minutes each, due to the large number of people signed up to testify (currently we’re onto page 8, which is over 75 people).

First we’re going to hear invited testimony, then public testimony on each of three docket items. The first is to rename Interstate. The second is the ordinance that would make that rename happen. The third is the old “establish a process to complete street selection” that Leonard and Adams brought up two weeks ago.

“I believe the people deserve an up-or-down vote on their proposal,” says Potter.

“And there’s the substitute resolution,” says Erik Sten, that would substitute 4th Avenue for Interstate. He wants to hear testimony from the crowd on that. So folks can weigh in on all three—Interstate, 4th, or delay the process and start over.

Also, Saltzman is moving to suspend the usual city council rules about when things can be put on the agenda, so they can put an emergency ordinance to change the process—and thereby let them rename 4th—on today’s agenda. Whew! Catch it all after the jump as we blog it live.

"Too much of this has been drawn out," says Potter. There are three untruths in this process—that people are racist, which he says isn't a blanket truth, and he's never said it. That this is "too much of a burden" on one neighborhood—honoring a hero shouldn't be considered a burden. Third, that the economic impact would be too much for Interstate to bear—he thinks a rename wouldn't affect the renaissance happening there.

"We need to find an appropriate way to honor him, and find a place in this city for a first public tribute to a Latino," Potter says. "I believe we have an opportunity before us."

And yes, Potter says, people can use a thumbs down instead of jazz hands, if they disapprove. "But please do it with dignity."

Maria Rojo de Steffey's up first. She's dismayed. "Completing this process will do more harm than good." The idea that a new process would ensure a "less divisive outcome" is wishful thinking, and "I think we all know the reasons why." The Latino community deserves the council's "affirmative action" to honor César E. Chávez. "In my heart, I know that no matter which street is chosen, we'll face the same backlash that we're facing now, and that" those who renamed Union for MLK faced. "What we have today is acknowledgment of an African American hero by sharing his beautiful name on the streets of Portland. We're asking today that you do the same for us."

Also, city council chambers are packed. It's standing room only on the main floor, and in the balcony.

Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes of the Albina Ministerial Alliance calls this a "defining historical moment" for our city, reflecting the "character and morals" of what a city is supposed to be. He, too, is echoing the "struggle to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." on Union. "Yet, the mayor and commissioners had enough insight and foresight, to be statesmen instead of politicians, to see that this was a great historical moment... today we stand at another defining historical moment... like the change on Union Avenue to Martin Luther King, there are citizens and businesses that are opposed to the change for a variety of reasons. But the question is, will this city council have enough insight and foresight to see that this is more than just a street change." It will define "who we are and where we are going as a city."

Rev. Lynne Smouse López of the Ainsworth United Church of Christ—who's pointing out that she's white—says she "cannot be silent any more" because of how she's seen the Latino community treated over this issue. "Mayor Potter, I agree with you 100 percent, naming a street after César Chávez would do nothing to devalue it."

It's Marta Guembes' turn. She's outlining "our choice" of Interstate Avenue, and naming the endorsements they've garnered, from Sen. Avel Gordley to New Seasons Market (that letter that was contingent on neighborhood support), Basic Rights Oregon to Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, Ethos music center, NAACP, dozens of Hispanic and Latino groups—and 2632 confirmed signatures of support. She's got a huge stack of paper, "more than we're supposed to gather for you."

"We decided to give our signatures to remind that our voices have not been heard today," she says.

All photos by Matt Davis

Maria Lisa Johnson of the Latino Network is citing that "it's no coincidence" that Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Interstate/Chávez run parallel. "Nothing can erase what happened here," she says, saying that voting for something like 4th will not end this conflict. "Decisions are still made behind closed doors by white men who have our best interest at heart... No 'quick fix' can undo what has happened here... the proposal to rename Interstate for Chávez did not come from Commissioner Randy Leonard's office," but from the community. Taking it over and "attempting to paint yourselves as heros" is not the right thing to do.

Ron Herndon is continuing the anger at the council theme, calling out everyone but the mayor, saying they gave their word, made a commitment, and watched the committee go through the process the council outlined. "We know best for you where César should be, that is what you are saying. That is so insulting, it would be better" for them to just vote against this. Also, he's angry with whoever went to the Oregonian before talking to the committee (that would be Potter's office). "We do understand what it means when a person gives their word, and if you give your word to any group of citizens, you keep it."

"This is one of the whitest days in the history of Portland," Herndon adds. That garnered a lot of thumbs down in the crowd.

Sten's explaining to people where he thinks things went awry. Yes, the committee followed the process they laid out—but he never indicated that would be the entirety of the process. The council also needs to process this, he points out. "Let's say it's 100 percent my fault. But the process has fallen apart. That's where we're at."

"I think that should have been made very clear from the beginning," Herndon responds. "Any time somebody from an ethic group in this town confronts a status quo publicly, a lot of nasty things occur. Death threats, to your children. Harassing phone calls. It's not like you're trying to overthrow the government—you're trying to exercise democratic rights."

Therefore, "they deserve to know exactly how the process works," and say from the very beginning, "there are no guarantees." Right on, Herndon—I think you just summed up why everyone is upset. An unclear process and the impression of a done deal is what set this mess up in the first place.

Leonard's piping in, pointing out that they were told there was community support, which turned out to be untrue. At an earlier meeting, he told the committee, "clearly what you told me about meeting with the community, something's wrong.... What they explained to me in a second meeting is they meant the greater Hispanic community." He meant the geographic community in which they wanted a street renamed. "The commitment I made that will never change, is I will vote to rename a major street for César Chávez."

"What I have seen, and I want to be really clear to the audience, is some wounds ripped into great people who did not deserve it," says Sten. He's seen racist behavior that's completely unacceptable. "I saw that wound ripped, and I think it's terrible." But there's "an argument that the council has put too many things, too fast, in North Portland," and this debate "has exasperated that."

The idea to rename 4th—"my business cards change tomorrow"—is an idea "made in good faith. I did not intend it be disrespectful."

"Here's a major street, people cannot say you shoved this onto me. Maybe I failed miserably by putting that out there, but I would like to at least still open a possibility about having it be that street," Sten says. "What is being argued is what was promised, how the process went, and not really talking with each other about what the possibilities are... I don't think it is wrong to talk, from the heart, of if there's another possibility that makes sense."

"Our choice has been Interstate, and it is Interstate, and we have support, and here it is, all the support that we have," Guembes adds.

Commissioner Sam Adams says he wanted to hear neighborhood support, but "did not need to see unanimous support, or from every neighborhood association." That, however, did not come to pass—every neighborhood association voted against it or rescinded support. "I have to try to treat all Portlanders fairly, and it's from that motivation that we entered a resolution to open it back up.... I did it with the best of intentions, and so did they."

"There is considerable disagreement on what you agreed to," says Herndon. But those who were in the meeting came away believing they had Adam's support.

"I have never wavered from my commitment to name a major street for César Chávez... and in some ways 4th Avenue is an upgrade." He still wants to hear why there's no other street amenable to the committee—that's a discussion that did not happen publicly, and needs to.

Now we're on to public testimony—71 people have signed up. "Remember the ground rules," says Potter. Lest my fingers fall off, this public testimony will be quite summarized—I'm saving my energy for what the council's going to do with this hot potato.

The Mandels are up first. Lili's up: "Attempted rule by fear does not work here." Today, "we are all winners, and lets celebrate together by finding an honorable solution to honoring a great American hero." Irwin referenced old New York City politics.

Marek Stepien of the Polish Library Association is up, making the case that Polish immigrants built Interstate. "The entire Polish community is against rewriting the history of Interstate Avenue," and he's got over 100 (160?) signatures to prove it. The name Chávez does not "reflect the history and heritage of the area." He says he's been called a racist for putting forth that position, but "my wife is Latino, and she says I'm an open minded liberal."

Now we're into the 19 affiliates of the committee that were signed in by a trio here early.

"The committee came to this council with a very simple question—will you rename Interstate Avenue for César E. Chávez? I think that question deserves an answer today," says former Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz Walsh.

"Either you decided that Interstate is too good for César, or you decided it's too controversial... I don't think there should be much mystery about why Interstate. It's a great street. It has light rail, and connects other civil rights heros," she says.

Rudy Soto, student body president of Portland State University, says "We are now at a crucial point in time where you, our elected officials, must decide... Obviously politics are a factor for some regarding the reasoning behind the decision. Young and old of all backgrounds are paying close attention... The gravity of this decision really means a lot. What you do or don't do will really speak volumes. And I am glad this conflict has arisen, because I believe conflict brings about resolution. We're a strong city, we can work through this."

José González of the Miracle Theater Group doesn't want the council to consider 4th Avenue without true discussion with the community. "I'm all hoping you guys are all operating with best interests in mind, though the communication is totally wrong."

"I'm struggling to see why it's a win only on Interstate, as opposed to the possibilities of more dialogue. It's become to me two sides that need to win. We've got a point where what we needed to have was a showdown. And the mayor walked out, and we haven't even had a full council discussion of this. Why is it so vitally important not only that you win, but that it's Interstate, and this afternoon?" Sten asks.

"Why not Interstate?" responds one of the women who's up now—whose name I didn't catch. She also points out that the 4th Ave idea was done behind closed doors without the committee's knowledge—the same could be said by an rename opponent, ironically, about the way this whole thing started.

"So much effort has been put into it with the understanding that this would happen at this point, that it should happen right now," says Soto. "There's a fear and a distrust and a lack of confidence, with all of the politics involved," that extending it might make things worse.

Leonard's commending Soto as a "very well spoken young man" from his alma mater. On that note, "SW 4th Avenue goes through Portland State University. It intersects so many communities and is so visible. Aside from the fear, which I understand, is there's something about SW 4th that's less of an honor?"

"I think it's great that leaders are looking to something bigger or better, but the community wants ownership over the idea, the place, the location," says Soto.

Carlos Perez, vice chair of Oregon Association of Latino Administrators, is asking them to rename Interstate. "Critics of the proposal say it doesn't have significance," in North Portland. "However, the Latino community represents the future, not only for the area in question, but for the city of Portland. As the fastest growing segment of the population, we look for symbols of our leaders. In Portland, those symbols are non-existant." The rename would "convey an air of inclusivity and respect."

"The majority of people that I spoke to as I knocked on doors were in favor of the name change. You may have heard from neighborhood associations that were not representative of neighbors," says Elizabeth Perry.

Alice Perry, on behalf of the American Friends Service Committee, says this "should have been a celebratory event for all Portlanders."

We're now into some of the Interstate opponents who got here early to sign up. (It's 4:30, so they've been here for four hours already.) "I don't think I'm going to vote for another former chief of police as mayor," because he hasn't been able to broker compromise, says Pam Brooks-Haines, owner of NorthStar Coffeehouse on Interstate. "You have allowed this to become about race and racism. I voted for you, and I feel my vote has been abused."

Kathy Chellis, also of the coffeehouse, has 650 signatures against the rename. The petition was on a counter at their shop—they didn't approach customers about it. "I want to see a win-win solution, and I don't understand why the olive branch extended has been thrown aside."

Vicki Kirk says she's hear because "I cannot complain about your actions if I don't voice my concerns." She believes "that good has come from this poor and often ugly debate. Citizens like me are becoming active in their neighborhoods. People are discussing discrimination and cultural issues. This is all good. So don't be afraid to give this issue the time it needs, to find a resolution that's fair to everyone."

AlexSandra, of AlexSandra's Vintage Emporium on Interstate, says she's "accustomed to living in a fascist state on a federal level, but in Portland? Little Beirut?" If the council votes to change Interstate, "no one wins."

She's pointing out that three people stepped in and signed in nearly 20 names, "nearly the entire César Chávez committee," which she calls a group of insiders, given that there's apparently some crossover with city staffers.

Chris Duffy, chair of the Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association, says she's sure the council is "very much aware that we're opposed to the renaming of Interstate."

But Duffy—who's been making huge efforts to mediate this issue—wants the council to "start a healing process for the divided community we now have, no matter what the outcome of this meeting might be."

Penny Schumacher, resident of Kenton. "I simply believe that Interstate Avenue should not be renamed after anyone at any time." Though it may not be named after a person, the name still holds significance. "I think we all know the logical reasons why we don't want Interstate renamed, though this has become an illogical discussion... Those of us against the rename are suddenly racists, and all of us on both sides have been called names."

"Show that you believe in compromise and democracy and listening to the community," she adds.

Lynn Roberts, of Arbor Lodge, says her "desire now is to see unity... a feeling of accomplishment on all ends... a moment for all of us to come together."

Will Seaman is here to support the name change, and to commend the conduct of the Chávez committee. He's also condemning the Oregonian's editorial treatment of this issue, especially by suggesting people watch the film Crash, saying "the movie shows how people of different races wind up humiliating each other unintentionally." Seaman points out that the humiliation in Crash is intentional.

Michelle, a North Portland resident the PSU student, has an alternate proposal: A "memorable, artistic series of drawings" and sculptures along Interstate. "The memorial could be similar to the Japanese internment memorial at the Expo Center MAX stop," she says.

Another woman is urging the council to "vote against the way the mayor has conducted this process."

Shelly Romero of SE Portland supports the Interstate rename, and doesn't think more process will help anything. As for 4th, she doesn't think it's a major arterial, and thinks it's not even half as long as Interstate. She wants to know how the street rename process really works, "because it seems every time people try to rename a street, it's carried out a different way." She urges the council to "be men of courage" and vote for the Interstate rename.

"They thought long and hard what street should be renamed," Stephanie Davis says. "They found that Interstate Avenue was the best and only street they could work to change," after reviewing the city's rules and their own requirements. "When you were elected you had your word and your conscious," and she hopes they'll still have both after tonight.

Melanie Davis, of El Hispanic News, says one of her "greatest disappointments" is that we're here again, on another resolution. "You're continuing to change the process."

"They identified Interstate Avenue, and the community stands strong behind that."

Alicia Williams, a history grad student at PSU, is talking about the hundreds of streets in Portland that are named after people who "aren't historically relevant," but just signify someone who owned property. Meanwhile, there are just four named for people of color—MLK, Rosa Parks, Naito, and a fourth that was named ages ago that she wanted us to guess...

Claire Oliveros: "You can help Portland become a city that embraces diversity instead of paying it lip service... I urge you to vote yes to rename Interstate Avenue."

"I do not support the name change of Interstate Avenue. My neighborhood has experienced much name change of streets, and much turbulence has resulted," says Arlene Holmes of Arbor Lodge. "I really regret that the committee did a lot of hard work and feel that they were misinformed about the way to go about it."

Robin Cash, lives in the Overlook neighborhood one block from Interstate, is "SOOO excited that we might rename Interstate for César Chávez." She says it's true that not all opponents are racist, and it's true that some North Portlanders feel dumped on, and that they've had too much change too rapidly. "I think North Portland is an exciting, progressive place to live, and I think changing the name to César Chávez would just be the icing on the cake." She says she collected hundreds of signatures in her own neighborhood.

Lonnie Currier, born and raised in North Portland, his partner is Latino, he didn't know much about César Chávez until this all happened. He's unhappy that he's heard that the council "didn't care" that they weren't following city code. "If our current code doesn't meet our needs for process, then we should change the code and follow the process." He's also calling out the mayor for walking out of the council. "What's the purpose of process if it's not going to be followed?"

Rob Wolf, it's his first time before city council, he's an attorney and small business owner... he didn't wear a jacket and tie today, because he didn't have time after reading the Oregonian this morning. "I find out it's moved to 4th Avenue!" He's citing the process issues everyone's so upset about, and pointing out that voting for 4th Avenue today would pretty much mean no process. "You vote on this, you show there is no process. Step back. Get out of the corner. Let's look at the process, let's not rename anything for six months or a year until we have a new process and everyone knows what the process is."

"A lot of this today is about respect," says Daniel Garcia, who has a family member on the committee. "Take a stand and make a decision. Respect the committee and the people of North Portland. I personally believe Interstate should be renamed. But what do you guys believe? Make a decision. If you wait, it's going to fester."

John Kirby, with his thoughts on how other places do it—like New York City. "There's similar pressures in New York to honor important individuals... but they do honorary street naming." On 77th Avenue, the honorary street name is for Peter Jennings—under the 77th street sign. "All around New York City they do this, because it has less impact... I might suggest this as a possible compromise for attempts to honor other great Americans."

Eric Gale, chair of the Overlook Neighborhood Association—though he seems to be speaking for himself. Context is important, he says, and the context of North Portland has influenced what people have experienced in this discussion. The feeling that things are being "shoved down their throats over and over is a very real sentiment for a lot of people." The process needs to be done in a way that no one feels invalid.

Douglas Harman, officer for the Interstate Business Association, says he's never seen so much depression along the street. "No one in this room was a bigger support or longer fan of Mr. Chávez than I am. [But] the legacy of Mr. Chávez has been hijacked."

Anna Lee Rodgers is "hoping for a compromise that will bring to an end" the unhealthy direction this has gone in. "A prime consideration in the matter should be support."

Promise King says "playing the race card is disgusting." He worked on the Rosa Parks rename. "Minorities have never been given the benefit of the doubt," but men like Mayor Potter have changed that in Portland. "If someone comes to you and says I need something, you either say no or yeah. Don't cherry pick."

Finally, a light moment: There's an elderly woman who's having some difficulty taking her seat to testify, juggling a cane and maneuvering the heavy chair. "Next year, I'll be dancing with the stars!" Now, she's just said something about one of the council member's handcuffs hanging on her kitchen wall... which prompted some nervous laughter, and a call for explanation. Something about her being arrested twice, and she's proud of it—she was arrested in relation to the work César Chávez did. And she wants to hear a unanimous vote for Interstate Avenue.

"I've never been a social or community activist," says Richard Prentice, a lifetime resident of North Portland. But he is today, to say "I heard all these arguments... I never heard so much pandering over an individual of which no one has said anything against! Did we come here to glorify the man? What we're here for is about a street change name, so all of this racism talk from the various Latino, etc etc agencies, has nothing to do with we're opposed to the name change. I do not think it's necessary to change the name to glorify the man."

"I knew who César Chávez was before I could name a president," says Patrick Nolan, community activist. "I feel he'd be disappointed with an argument over naming a street for him. I feel he'd prefer Avenue of the Worker." But if they need to rename something, he's prefer they do a street where there's community support.

Ramón Ramírez, president of the Oregon's farmworkers union, is here to support the rename. "It's the same basic argument" being made against this rename, that's made over other rename efforts around the country.

Leonard's curious: "What feels unique to me about this, is that there isn't a debate about this among the five of us." Is that different from elsewhere, that there's debate over where?

Ramírez says there are similarities and differences. In other places, "it was 'not in our backyard.'" What's important is "what the Latino community wants, and that needs to be respected."

Marta Perez, says she's a "general activist, I don't belong to anybody." She prefers Interstate, but "would compromise if we can't agree.... equality plus love equals democracy," she says. "Let's just finish this and let's go home."

We're on the last two!

"I find myself sitting here today wondering how a group of elected officials can promise something," and then call for compromise, says community activist Bertha Ferran. "I find myself not angry, but sad, by the turn of events that race created over this issue. I'd rather be told why not Interstate, than to be disrespected by those we're supposed to trust... Thank you Mayor Potter for your unwavering support of our community."

Martin Gonzalez is suggesting that if Interstate is renamed, a sign topper could go up that says "Historic Interstate," similar to how neighborhoods around the city have those toppers. "It's taken me awhile to understand what it means to have white privilege. That's for folks to have the ability to not engage in a discussion about race. We don't have that privilege."

Just kidding—we've got more speakers who hadn't signed up, but still want to weigh in.

First is Dan Handelman: "Oh my god, 4th Avenue has 180 years of history!!" he says facetiously.

"I knew the coalition for the number four was going to show up," says Erik Sten.

"Look back on the vote today and say I know I did the right thing. It's time to change Interstate for César Chávez," Handelman adds.

"I hope you all know there's significant support in all of these neighborhoods," says a woman from Overlook. "It might not be majority support, and if that's what you're looking for, it's probably not going to happen." She questions the wisdom of considering other streets, for the same reason—it may be impossible for majority support on any street. "You need to make a call, and think about equality and justice for minority communities."

"Why? Why North Portland again?" asks Monique Snyder. She respects Chávez, Rosa Parks, and MLK, but "why North Portland again?" It's a diverse community, she says. "We even have doctors and lawyers living here now."

"Get bumped once, you get a little bit possessive, perhaps. You get bumped twice, you get a little bit protective. The third time, you get defensive, and I think that's where you're standing now," Snyder.

Allen is up—his father is from Mexico, his mother from New Orleans. He's "here to take the message from my father's side of the family to my mother's side of the family.... the rule tends to be borne out that we only win when it's cost free or beneficial to those in power. If that situation doesn't exist, we don't win. So we don't win very often. We don't win elections, we don't win fights with neighborhood associations." Tonight, "we want this win. We want Interstate Avenue to be named after César Chávez. Pay a cost. The message is the same to the folks opposed. We're asking you tonight to give this to us, to sacrifice tonight what you want for what we want. Because when we leave here tonight, many folks who are advocating for this will have to worry about being followed, or pulled over, or followed around 7-11, and you won't have to worry about that."

"I never got a piece of mail, inviting me to a public meeting, I never got a phone call inviting me to a public meeting," says a man who lives a few streets off of Interstate. "If I was asked at all, I wouldn't have a problem with this. But no one talked to me. When people are saying the community is for this, what community are they talking about?"

"It's unfortunate that all of the work the committee has done, was done at the direction of you. You did not follow the law. We would not be here today if you had directed them toward the law. It's time for you to step up, admit that you made a mistake, and guide us through a new process—one that follows the law," says Josh, whose last name I didn't catch.
"I was standing here crying when Allen spoke.... at some point you have to say, 'if it's this important to you, we need to give it to you," says a woman who just got off of work and arrived.

And with that... testimony is over. Time for the council to discuss and vote.

Saltzman is putting forward a substitute resolution calling for a rename of 4th.

Sten wants to discuss. He says he's "going to surprise my colleagues a little bit."

"You go to these hearings to listen, and having to listened for hours, I'd be willing to go with the Interstate change. As the choice has been presented to me today, I'd be prepared to decide." He thinks 4th is a powerful idea, but doesn't think he's convinced anyone, so he's willing to move away from that idea and support Interstate.

"I was looking more for the agreements in the room," says Leonard. "And the agreements are the same. People feel they're not being listened to. Someone said 'we have the power to give something to a group,'" but that means taking from someone. "You're having to be put in a position to make a decision that hurts someone."

"The city council made this process ruinous by not sticking with what the code says. And it's not just this street name change, there have been two," Leonard adds. "But having said that, we made a mistake, and what we allowed to have happen."

"People in the community are feeling, why wasn't I involved in picking which street is going to be renamed," Leonard says, which is now what he's hearing from the committee about the 4th Avenue proposal. He's more happy with a middle ground, he and Adams' two week old resolution of a five person committee to choose a street.

"4th Avenue presents an honorable solution to a problem this council has created. The parties are so immersed right now, it's hard to separate emotions from facts," he says. Ten years from now, kids getting off a school bus to go to city hall at 1221 SW César E. Chávez Boulevard is "the most honorable thing we can do," and emanated out of a lot of process, and bubbled up out of everything they heard.

The resolution to rename 4th would send it to the planning commission, then back to the council for a vote, so there would be more process. "It's honorable for both sides to allow us to move ahead."

Potter's up—he wants everyone to understand what the replacement resolution does. "It displaces my resolution and ordinance, and we will not be voting on Interstate as a result of this motion," which he thinks they should do.

Debates around the country "must inform us that something else is occurring when this comes up." In almost 400 places that have renamed for Chávez or MLK, like Lubbock, Texas, "not in my backyard is the clarion call from almost everyone."

"There are issues out there around race, I didn't say racism, that I find disturbing," he says. "One of the key decisions tonight is how do we include everyone, and respect them."

"I concluded that Interstate Avenue should be renamed for César Chávez. I realized there would be much discussion and anger around it, and I realized that was not uncommon," he says. "This is my community, this is where I will live and die, and I believe it is up to us to solve this problem. But for all the mistakes this council made, and we made them, this committee did what we asked them to do, and more. And to honor this committee, I believe it's up to us that their wishes are carried out, and we begin that healing process in the community, and work this through."

"If this motion goes through, this will not be voted on, and that is a dishonor on this committee, to not say yes or no," Potter says. "This is something that I think needs closure, and if not, it's going to be something that tears into our community, particularly the Latino community."

Leonard says he left his speech in his office, the speech he spent two weeks writing and rewriting. But he left it there on purpose. "There's no one in this room who respects your record on standing up for people who don't have a voice more than I do," Leonard says, addressing Potter. "When you went into office, I went to you and raised my concerns on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the unfair practices on people who might be Muslims," and Potter acted. "If I didn't tell you then, I very much respected you for doing that."

"But words are important, Mayor Potter, and they're more important from a mayor than anyone on this council," Leonard continues. Potter may be technically right that he's never accused people of racism, but by saying "there's something else going on here," then that's what he's saying.

"I wish we could have this debate at a level that respected both sides and didn't question both sides' motives. But when you raise questions about the unfairness of using a substitution motion—to question our integrity in following our rules..." makes Leonard not so happy.

"Emotions of each of us in wanting to accommodate whoever comes to us, has us just cast the rules aside. We have to put it in the city's constitution, so we have a set of rules that we live by," Leonard says. If the had followed the rules in the first place, he thinks they'd be voting on Interstate tonight.

Potter responds: "Philosophically, these five people tend to agree more about what is the role of government, than just about any five people." His commitment to ensuring that people are inclusive was from his time as police officer, and seeing abuses by the police "that I couldn't stomach." That's why he went for promotions, so he could address those issues. Then there's his lesbian daughter, who's "suffered the indignities of being a second class citizen." His affinity with the Latino community comes from realizing there are injustices and racism. The issues of race, and racism, are "things our community has to discuss."

"But for tonight, I'm not trying to start a fight, I'm not trying to make it worse," Potter says. "The committee deserves some closure on what they've brought before us."

Leonard is objecting—he doesn't want to be forced to vote against César Chávez boulevard, first, before voting for something. Meanwhile, Potter is pained to have to vote against this substitute—to vote against Chávez.

"Once again, it's either you're for Interstate, or you're against us," says Leonard. "I don't play that game, and I don't think it's fair for you to play that on me."

Saltzman's calling for a vote on his procedural motion to substitute—Adams is up first.

"Symbols such as street names and parks and bridges and what we call our public spaces send an important message on what a community values," he says. Most streets were named for developers and their friends from the 1860s up until now. "I do think Portland will be a better place when there is a street named in his honor." He's committed to renaming a major street.

"I want to repeat what I've said numerous times. The intentions of the folks who have sought this name change, I've found to be very honorable, and very inspiring. But when we initially talked in my office, and one of the leaders beside me was from my own neighborhood association... I thought there was a relatively low bar to finding neighborhood support," even though there's always a certain level of anger against city hall in North Portland. "The fact that there's controversy on this issue doesn't mean the process is broken." He has himself heard racist epitaphs, and "they're absolutely inexcusable."

"I have been part of this problem as well, and I too apologize for my part in this dysfunction," including the Rosa Parks rename and the Naito rename, both of which circumvented the official process. He thinks asking one neighborhood to bear two renames in just a few months is too much.

"A better up front consideration than was done in this process for what street should be renamed," he says.

"The process has yielded for me, the proponents have made the case for renaming a major street in the city for César Chávez," Adams says. When he takes all the factors together, "I believe that the name change is up to us on the city council. And I'm persuaded that 4th Avenue is worth serious consideration," even though it will disappoint those who worked so hard on Interstate. He also, personally, wants to "stick it to the racists" by naming 4th.

4th has the seat of city government, the seat of justice, the state's largest university, and goes through Old Town/Chinatown. It's signed on I-405. It gets more daily use than Interstate Avenue. "I would ask the proponents of Interstate to give thoughtful consideration to what is undoubtably a compromise."

With that, they voted—Saltzman, Adams, and Leonard voted to substitute the motion.

Which means we now consider whether or not to rename 4th—or, rather, to go through a bit more process to rename 4th.

Adams votes aye.

"The last sentence in the speech I was going to read said this community is diminished because of this action," to rename Interstate. "I don't have to say that today," now that they're considering 4th.

"I intend to work very hard to heal the divisions that have happened," he says. "In a short amount of time no one's going to remember this debate"—a comment that got heckles from the crowd—but future mayors' letter head will always read César E. Chávez Boulevard.

Leonard votes aye for 4th.

Saltzman's turn. "When we committed ourselves to a process," that ended with the council making a decision, "I believe I'm sticking to that today, by making this decision."

"It's time to end this ugliness," he says. The only reason he disagreed with Adams and Leonard's call for more process was that it would spread the ugliness around.

The proposal the committee brought forward was "contrary to our code," and vulnerable to legal challenges or a referendum that wouldn't actually be about the rename: "It would be about immigration policy."

"I think SW 4th Avenue... and this ordinance will protect it from legal challenges," he says. "I'm voting today for substance instead of more process." He understands that this move may be seen as disrespectful to the committee, but "I see this as taking it from 'not in my backyard' to putting this in our front yard."

He votes aye.

"Too much change" is not a racist argument, says Sten, and that's mostly what he's hearing—though he has taken the most racist calls of his tenure on this issue than any other.

"I've tried to work to find another way. I was not able to find that, and I have to respect the near unanimous" need to affirm the Latino community's request. His last vote was a vote to take Interstate off the table, "and so I voted no, because today's hearing went somewhat differently than I thought."

But Interstate's off the table, and "the vote to rename 4th, I will support. I respect the argument that my friends have made, that you put your heart and soul into [Interstate]... "

No offense to MLK, Sten says, but "this is the most prominent street that's ever been renamed." He's not going to say "it's not a loss to the Latino leadership, that's your decision to make. But it is a statement I would hope people would be very excited about."

Aye.

Potter's up. Will he vote against renaming a street?

He's apologizing to the committee. They were so happy when they came to him, asking to rename Interstate. "From here I think it's important that I go out into the community that probably has the least like for me of any in the city to find out how we can" listen to them and figure out how to better involve them in the city's processes.

In his heart, he "will always know that renaming Interstate Avenue" is the right thing to do.

"I think 4th Avenue has a lot going for it. The one thing it doesn't is the Latino population of Portland, Oregon. I hope, because this decision has been made, that we do improve how we make these decisions, and it's not just about what our council thinks but what our community thinks. And I am the lone vote of no, and I'm just upset about that."

Potter would like another week to take a stronger look at the ordinance. Saltman says he and the city attorney have worked on it, and it's airtight. But Adams, too, hasn't had a chance to have a close look at it, so he'd like to hold it an extra week, too, before the second reading. There are scheduling issues... so the second reading will be on December 5.