Phoenix Approved Plan To Rename Robert E. Lee Street And Squaw Peak Drive

The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to change two offensive street names.

Robert E. Lee Street and Squaw Peak Drive will now be renamed after a push from Mayor Kate Gallego in June.

There was a public outcry to remove monuments devoted to the Confederacy that fought to preserve slavery and to end the use of Native Americans as mascots for sports teams and businesses after the death of George Floyd back in May.

Robert E. Lee Street is named after the Confederate commander who fought in the American Civil War. "Squaw" is a slur that is historically used to describe Native American women.

There will be letters sent to property owners along the two streets asking them to rank the top 5 new possible names. The Phoenix City Council will approve the official replacement names at a future meeting.

Before making decisions, the city spent time seeking out the public's opinions on the change. Some were concerned with changing letterheads, bills, and other important documents. Those who were for the change stated that the name change is overdue.

Phoenix City Councilman Sal Ciccio stated during the meeting, "I'm glad we're finally doing this. It should have been done a lone time ago."

There has also been a plan approved to reimburse residents and businesses affected by the name change.

Photo Credit: Getty