San Antonio Mayor, District 5 Councilmember & Congressman Castro announce Memorial Way request
Txylo.com/10215959

CONTACT: Amador Salazar, 210.904.6248
Amador.Salazar@sanantonio.gov

SAN ANTONIO (November 29, 2022) — Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and Councilwoman Teri Castillo organized a press conference to announce a Council Consideration Request to commemorate the legacy of labor leader Emma Tenayuca, on Cevallos Street from Interstate 35 to Probandt Street.

The announcement culminated through collaboration with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI), a national organization rooted in San Antonio, dedicated to chronicling, and advancing the Mexican American community's civil rights efforts in the United States.

Emma Tenayuca emerged as a leader in the Pecan Shellers' strike, which lasted over a month and eventually led to the establishment of the Fair Labor Standards Act which established the right to a minimum wage, time-and-a-half, overtime pay, and the prohibition of child labor on June 25, 1938.

"This memorial way request comes at a time when we are witnessing a groundswell of workers organizing for better working conditions and pay," the District 5 Councilmember continued, "This designation is timely and can serve as an educational piece for San Antonians and visitors alike. We are grateful for the San Antonio Mayor's leadership to commemorate such an important figure like Emma Tenayuca."

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"Mexican American and Chicano experiences are inextricably linked to the 300-year history of San Antonio," said the San Antonio Mayor. "I'm proud to collaborate with the District 5 Councilwoman, the Congressman, and MACRI to properly memorialize San Antonio's heritage starting with honoring Emma Tenayuca's legacy."

"All Americans should know about Mexican American civil rights history because it is American history. All Americans should know the names of Emma Tenayuca, Alonso Perales, Jovita Idar, Gus Garcia, and so many others. Their stories are just a sample of U.S. history that is underknown, undertold, and under acknowledged," shared Dr. Sarah Gould, Executive Director of the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute.

"For as long as San Antonio has been part of the United States, our city has served as a center of Mexican American culture and activism," said Congressman Castro. "We hope that the requested designation of Emma Tenayuca Memorial Way stands as both a way to honor her legacy as a labor leader and as a reminder of our obligation to be intentional about weaving Mexican American history into the fabric of our city."

Designation of a Memorial Way on Cevallos Street will not result in a change to the official street name or mailing address.

The CCR is attached in full.

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