City of Fort Worth
Atatiana Jefferson's neighbor, James Smith, speaking before the Fort Worth City Council on Oct. 20.
What once was the portion of East Allen and East Maddox avenues from Interstate Highway 35 West to U.S. Highway 287 is now Atatiana Jefferson Memorial Parkway.
The Fort Worth City Council unanimously voted to approve the memorial designation in honor of Jefferson on Tuesday. The parkway runs near Jefferson's home in Southeast Fort Worth.
Jefferson was 28 and unarmed when she was fatally shot in her home by a Fort Worth Police officer on Oct. 12, 2019.
In her memory, council members Kelly Allen Gray and Ann Zadeh expressed support for the renaming of the street in their respective districts. The city also waived the $700 fee for the application and the sign fabrication and installation fees.
Rishada Maxie, a family member of Jefferson, thanked the city for granting Jefferson's remembrance but still pushed for justice regarding her death.
“I don't want you to stop here,” Maxie said. “I want you to continue to push forward to find justice for my cousin's life. Don’t let this be the first and only thing that you do on behalf of my cousin whose life was taken unjustly.”
James Smith, Jefferson’s neighbor and one of the individuals behind the proposal, recited a poem before the city council: “Each time this sign is seen, think of your American dream / I-35 will soon bear her name, and her legacy will bring change.”
