PHOENIX — PHOENIX (AP) — The city of Phoenix officially installed new signs for two streets whose names have long been considered offensive. Mayor Kate Gallego watched Monday morning as workers erected a new sign for Piestewa Peak Drive, formerly Squaw Peak Drive. Historically, “Squaw” is a slur used to describe Native American women. Piestewa honors fallen Native American soldier Lori Piestewa. Officials also unveiled signage for Desert Cactus Street, formerly Robert E. Lee Street. Critics say having a street named for the Confederate general glorifies the pro-slavery Confederacy. The issue gained momentum last year with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
MATT YORK/AP
In this file photo from Wednesday, April 16, 2003, downtown Phoenix is backdropped by Squaw Peak, rear right. Nine states are on a mission to scrub squaw from their maps, a slang word first given to Native women that came to mean both a part of the female genitalia and a woman of ill repute. California is not among those states, to the continuing frustration of many regional Indian tribes. (AP Photo/Matt York)
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