Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
City Council Votes To Rename Boyle Heights Street After Mexican Icon Vicente Fernández
Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights. The historic L.A. neighborhood is in City Council District 14, the district that Kevin de León represents.
(
Chava Sanchez
/
LAist
)
The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to rename a street in Boyle Heights after the late Mexican singer Vicente Fernández.
Councilman Kevin de León says in a statement that the plan got a "significant" outpouring of support from the community.
"The legacy of Vicente Fernández continues to resonate and inspire people worldwide, making us proud to call ourselves Latino," de León said. "Today, our city council took the rare action to recognize 'Chente' for his cultural contributions by memorializing him at one of our city's most cherished venues, Mariachi Plaza. Through his music, he has etched his place in history and on the hearts of fans who will forever cherish him."
But critics have raised concerns about the singer's past, including documented homophobic remarks, insensitive comments toward people who use drugs, as well as allegations that the performer inappropriately touched women.
Support for LAist comes from
David Silvas — vice president of the neighborhood council — says he's disappointed L.A. leaders have approved the renaming.
"Many of them are LGBT members that expressed some concern," Silvas said. "Now that this is moving forward, I think we need to, and we owe it to these members, that we really support them and reach out to them more than ever now."
In a personal letter to de León's office, Silvas wrote that they do "not feel it is appropriate to rename a street within the community after Vicente Fernández, nor any other civic memorialization."
Instead, the council requested that public spaces be named for "non-living, historic figures who have had tangible and direct ties to the community of Boyle Heights."
De León's spokesperson, Pete Brown, says "some people expressed opposition, but we're seeing a far greater number of people support the name change."
The nonprofit Mariachi Plaza Festival Foundation backed the renaming. The new Vicente Fernández Street will replace Bailey Street, adjacent to the plaza.
A celebration is expected with the new street name unveiling, but Brown says no date is set in stone.
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist