Richmond City Council intends to rename a section of a city street as Pedie Perez Avenue in memory of the fatal shooting of an unarmed Perez at the hands of a police officer a decade ago.
The proposal forwarded by City Council by Councilmember Soheila Bana aims to rename Spring Street south of Cutting Boulevard as Pedie Perez Avenue. A public hearing will be held at City Council on Sept. 24 in case there is community opposition to the renaming. The Perez family business, Perez Brothers Paper Recycling Co., is located in that section of Spring Street. Neighboring property owners are in support of the renaming, Councilmember Bana said.
On Sept. 14, 2014, Perez was fatally shot by now-retired Richmond police Officer Wallace Jensen outside of Uncle Sam’s Liquor Store on Cutting Boulevard, near to the street that will be renamed after him. Following a decade of vigorous advocacy by his family, the City of Richmond Citizen Police Review Commission ruled in 2018 that the officer’s use of force was excessive and unecessary. In 2016, the Perez family settled a wrongful death civil suit for $850,000.
The Perez family advocacy has led to police reform both locally and statewide. Last year, the Richmond Police Department announced Pedie would serve as an example in its cultural sensitivity training, according to the Grandview Independent.
On the 10th anniversary of Perez’s death, the Perez family released a video documentary describing their decade-long struggle for justice. The documentary was produced by Tom Herriman, with music by David Rovics.
Richmond artist John Toki created a memorial to Perez that was installed in front of Uncle Sam’s Liquor Store. The memorial was dedicated May 18. Richmond Police Chief Bisa French, County Supervisor John Gioia and over 100 friends and supporters attended the ceremony.
