Committee forwards renaming of Sonora Lane to Vita Ratanapakhti Way

The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted on May 23 to forward a resolution renaming Sonora Lane between O'Farrell and Anza Vista Avenue in the Anza Vista neighborhood to Vita Ratanapakhti Way.

Dominica Donovan, legislative aide to the sponsoring supervisor, told the committee the renaming honors Visha Ratanapakhti, an 84-year-old Thai immigrant who was "violently shoved" on a routine walk and died shortly after the attack. Donovan said the family and community advocates, including the Southeast Asian Development Center, have pursued the naming to honor his memory and raise awareness of anti-AAPI violence.

With no in‑chamber public speakers, Chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar moved to pass the item out of committee with a positive recommendation. Supervisors Peskin and Dean Preston voted "aye," the clerk recorded three ayes, and the motion passed. The committee will forward the resolution to the full Board as a committee report.