Lee Surrenders Again as New Orleans Renames Boulevard for Allen Toussaint

The New Orleans City Council voted unanimously Thursday evening to rename Robert E. Lee Boulevard for Allen Toussaint.

The change will go into effect Feb. 1 for the four and a half mile street running through Lakeview and Gentilly.

The push to rename several public spaces and city streets that honor Confederates and other white supremacists had been a discussion topic for years.

The effort to honor Toussaint launched in 2015 after the legendary musician died while on tour in Spain at the age of 77 and fans circulated a petition.

Nationwide protests against white supremacy and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s 2020 death spurred the Council into further action.

The City Council voted to rename the major thoroughfare for longtime educator Norman Francis.

{snip}