Watch CBS News

Removal of "Avenue of Puerto Rico" street sign in Brooklyn sparks outrage

Puerto Rican community protests sign removal in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Puerto Rican community protests sign removal in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 00:54

NEW YORK -- The Puerto Rican community is demanding an investigation after a street sign in Brooklyn was taken down.

The Avenue of Puerto Rico sign in Williamsburg was removed without explanation last week. It has since been put back.

The community is outraged and believe the city is trying to erase Puerto Rican contributions and culture. They want answers from the mayor and Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

"I smell bigotry from the DOT. If you know when a sign is going up, you should know when a sign is coming down. It's not a mistake," one person said.

"You will not come in our community and continue to dictate to us who and what and where we are going to be," another person said.

City officials were invited but did not attend Saturday's protest.

DOT officials say the sign was mistakenly taken down.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.