Number
201318
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS, BAUMAN, STAMPER, RAINEY, LEWIS, DODD, KOVAC, ZAMARRIPA, BORKOWSKI, SPIKER, JOHNSON, PEREZ, DIMITRIJEVIC, HAMILTON AND MURPHY
Title
A substitute ordinance renaming Old World Third Street, from West McKinley Avenue to West Wisconsin Avenue, North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Analysis
This ordinance renames Old World Third Street, from West McKinley Avenue to West Wisconsin Avenue, North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Body
Whereas, In 1984, when the Common Council sought to rename North 3rd Street to North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, many citizens including a group called Young Milwaukeeans supported the change with a petition of 17,000 signatures; and
Whereas, A group of downtown business owners from West State Street to West Juneau Avenue opposed the change, claiming that renaming the street in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could harm the street’s status as a tourist attraction; and
Whereas, After a prolonged political battle, the Common Council voted to change North 3rd Street north of West McKinley Avenue to North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, but the portion of road south of McKinley was changed to North Old World Street; and
Whereas, Recent nationwide protests for racial equity and local issues such as Milwaukee’s longstanding racial segregation emphasize the importance of reflecting upon historical injustices in order to build a fairer and more inclusive society; and
Whereas, Renaming this particular stretch of street in honor of King would recognize a past error and represent one small but significant way of dismantling the vestiges of systemic racism in our society; and
Whereas, King was the prominent spokesperson and charismatic leader of the Civil Rights Movement who pushed for desegregation, equal voting rights, labor rights, and basic civil rights for Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds; and
Whereas, King spoke to audiences in Milwauke...
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