Jul 12, 2019 2 min read Central Brooklyn

Local Pols Push To Honor Medgar Evers At Central BK Subway Stations

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie and Assemblywoman Diana Richardson embrace during Myrie’s inauguration at SUNY Downstate in East Flatbush (Photo: Kadia Goba/Bklyner)

CROWN HEIGHTS—Local lawmakers are urging the governor to sign a bill that will add Medgar Evers College to the names of two central Brooklyn subway stops.

Under the proposal, two stations, Franklin Avenue and President Street, would be renamed Franklin Avenue-Medgar Evers College and President Street-Medgar Evers College. The appending would mirror acknowledgments of Hunter College at the 68th Street station, New York University at the 8th Street stop and Columbia University at 116th Street.

The bill to rename the subway stations has cleared both the State Assembly and State Senate, and is awaiting Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature.

“Though it is one of the youngest CUNY schools, Medgar Evers College represents a proud tradition of academic excellence and community activism derived from the great civil rights leader Medgar Evers,” Assembly Member Diana Richardson, who represents Crown Heights and bordering areas, said in a statement. “Its impact on our community cannot be overstated, and renaming of these stations would bring this cherished college and our community the recognition and respect they deserve.”

State Senator Zellnor Myrie, who also represents Crown Heights and surrounding neighborhoods, said the renamings “would literally put one of our community’s most cherished institutions on the map.”

“This community has asked for these renamings and their elected representatives have heeded their call by passing S3439A/A1512 in both houses of the legislature,” he added. “We now call on the governor to sign this bill without delay.”

Established in 1970 in Crown Heights, Medgar Evers College is named after a civil rights leader and is part of the the CUNY system. The school’s president, Rudolph Crew, supports the bill.

“Medgar Evers College has been an anchor institution and stalwart landmark in the Crown Heights Community since its founding,” he said. “With the increasing influx of new residents and tourism to Crown Heights and its surrounding institutions, renaming these stations would solidify our school’s place in the community and serve as guidance to future prospective students and visitors.”