A state lawmaker and other members of a historically Black fraternity are calling on city officials to rename Hartford’s Columbus Boulevard after Frank T. Simpson, a local civil rights leader.

“As nationwide calls for the removal of statues glorifying colonialism and white supremacy have now reached our city, which is evidenced in the recent removal of the Columbus statue downtown, we believe that the renaming of Columbus Boulevard must be a part of the conversation and that the new name should reflect a true champion for change,” a letter from Rep. Brandon McGee, D-Hartford, on behalf of members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity reads.