Mayor Stanton calls for name change of Confederate general street

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Mayor Stanton wants to rename Robert E. Lee Street. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5) Mayor Stanton wants to rename Robert E. Lee Street. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)
Stanton says the street is offensive and sends the wrong message. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5) Stanton says the street is offensive and sends the wrong message. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)
Currently, 75 percent of people living on a Phoenix street need to approve of a name change before it's made. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5) Currently, 75 percent of people living on a Phoenix street need to approve of a name change before it's made. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -

Mayor Greg Stanton is now jumping into the Confederate controversy.

On Tuesday, the Phoenix mayor announced plans to rename a street that is named after a Confederate general, saying it's offensive and sends the wrong message.

"We want to send a message about our values as a city and we don't want to have names of streets ... that offend people in our community. That's just not right," Stanton said.

Stanton is referring to Robert E. Lee Street in northern Phoenix, which is named after the Confederate general.

The push comes as local and national African American leaders call for the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials from public land.

[READ MORE: Black leaders: Remove Confederate monuments from Arizona]

In Arizona this week, leaders from the NAACP and Black Lives Matter stepped up pressure on Gov. Doug Ducey to removes six confederate memorials and geographic designations on state property.

The civil rights leaders said public resources should not be used to promote symbols of "racial terror" and "racial hatred."

However, residents living along Robert E. Lee Street do not want to see the name of their street changed.

"No, the street name didn't bother me," said Jane Pacelli, who is white and has lived there for decades. "I'd just like to leave it the way it is, you know you have it so long."

[RELATED: Questions raised over Confederate monuments in Arizona]

The council will begin the process of renaming the street later this month.

Stanton also intends to change Squaw Peak Drive.

[READ MORE: Homeowners upset over Squaw Peak street name change proposal]

Native Americans want that name changed because they say the term is offensive to women.

Currently, 75 percent of people living on a Phoenix street need to approve of a name change before it's made.

But the council will vote on changing that, giving the elected officials the power to make changes without residential approval.

[RELATED: Confederate flag controversy reaches Arizona (Jun 24, 2015)]

[RELATED: Old South monument backers embrace "Confederate Catechism"]

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Dennis WlechVeteran political reporter Dennis Welch is a well-respected political expert in Arizona.

Dennis Welch
Political Editor

Before making the move to television, Welch wrote and edited for the Arizona Guardian, a highly influential online news site dedicated to Arizona politics and government where he served as owner and editor. During his Guardian days, Welch was a frequent guest on “Politics Unplugged” and has been a regular fixture on the state political landscape since 2005 appearing on numerous radio and television talk shows. “I am thrilled to start working with such a talented and dedicated staff of journalists,” said Welch. “This is a great opportunity to broaden the reach of my political coverage and tell stories that affect Arizona voters and their families.” With more than 13 years of experience under his belt, Welch’s arrival only strengthens 3TV’s commitment to providing first-rate political and government coverage across all platforms. When not covering politics, Welch is an avid runner and fronts a punk rock band that plays frequently throughout the Southwest and California. Welch is a well-respected political expert in Arizona and his addition means 3TV will provide a stronger, more robust political presence in Arizona. He joins 3TV from the Arizona Guardian, a highly influential online news site dedicated to Arizona politics and government where he served as owner and editor. During his Guardian days, Welch was a frequent guest on “Politics Unplugged” and has been a regular fixture on the state political landscape since 2005 appearing on numerous radio and television talk shows. “I am thrilled to start working with such a talented and dedicated staff of journalists,” said Welch. “This is a great opportunity to broaden the reach of my political coverage and tell stories that affect Arizona voters and their families.” With more than 13 years of experience under his belt, Welch’s arrival only strengthens 3TV’s commitment to providing first-rate political and government coverage across all platforms. When not covering politics, Welch is an avid runner and fronts a punk rock band that plays frequently throughout the Southwest and California.

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