The Los Angeles City Council finalized its vote to rename Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard on Tuesday
The Los Angeles City Council finalized its vote to rename Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard on Tuesday.
The final approval for the motion was granted on the 10th anniversary of the day former President Barack Obama was named the first African-American nominee for president by a major political party.
It was also the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s March on Washington, where he famously delivered his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech.
‘We’re thrilled that Angelenos and visitors will forever be reminded of the legacy of President @BarackObama when traveling across L.A.,’ Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted on Tuesday.
The road will run through Baldwin Hills, an area of South LA often referred to as the ‘Black Beverly Hills,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The final approval for the motion was granted on the 10th anniversary of the day former President Barack Obama was named the first African-American nominee for president by a major political party; Obama is seen here at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on August 28, 2008, the day after his nomination was announced
The roadway spans a residential strip in a predominantly African American community.
Establishments that are located on what is soon-to-be called Obama Boulevard include Dorsey High School, Baldwin Hills Elementary School and Rancho Cienega Sports Center and Park.
That last location is significant because Obama held a campaign rally there when he was running for president, a fact that LA City Council President Herb Wesson noted in his proposal for the change in street name, according to the Los Angeles Times.
‘We’re thrilled that Angelenos and visitors will forever be reminded of the legacy of President @BarackObama when traveling across LA,’ Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted on Tuesday
In making the motion to establish a street in honor of our 44th president, Wesson noted that the area already included roadways designated to honor past leaders, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
The official approval also came on the anniversary of a day when another significant leader left a lasting mark on society.
‘#Onthisday in 1963, #MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech took place at the March on Washington. 55 years on, this defining moment lives on in our hearts and inspires us to continue fighting for justice,’ Wesson tweeted on Tuesday.
The official approval came on the anniversary of a day when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., another significant leader, left a lasting mark on society with his March on Washington
‘#Onthisday in 1963, #MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech took place at the March on Washington. 55 years on, this defining moment lives on in our hearts and inspires us to continue fighting for justice,’ Wesson tweeted on Tuesday; King is seen here in Washington, DC on August 28, 1963
‘Also #OTD in 2008, @BarackObama became the first African-American presidential nominee from a major political party. Today our council gave final approval to our motion to rename Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard. Proud to take this next step on a day that meant so much to so many,’ Wesson tweeted on Tuesday
Hours later, he followed that tweet up with another, celebrating the council’s decision to rename Rodeo Road.
‘Also #OTD in 2008, @BarackObama became the first African-American presidential nominee from a major political party. Today our council gave final approval to our motion to rename Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard. Proud to take this next step on a day that meant so much to so many.’
The neighborhood of Baldwin Hills will join several other areas in California that have already dedicated street names to Obama.
A resolution brought by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) to rename a portion of the 134 Freeway passed in September.
There’s a street designated as ‘Obama Way’ in the city of Seaside, located in Central California’s Monterey Bay.
Several California schools have also already been named after Obama, the LA Times reported.
The neighborhood of Baldwin Hills will join several other areas in California that have already dedicated street names to Obama; Obama is seen here at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on August 20, 2008, the day after his nomination was announced