Street Named ‘George Carlin Way’ Finally Approved
The NYC City Council has voted to name the 500 block of West 121st Street “George Carlin Way”.
The vote came after years of work and debate to get the street named in honor of the comedy icon. The 500 block of West 121st Street in Morningside Heights in Manhattan is where George Carlin grew up. The campaign to rename the block was led by New York comedian and warm-up comedian for the Daily Show, Kevin Bartini. He announced the vote by the New York City Council on his petition update on Change.org where thousands had lent their signature supporting the tribute.
One of the opponents Bartini had to face was the Catholic church which Carlin attended as a boy and shares the neighborhood. The church opposed the bill. Carlin, of course, was a well known atheist who often targeted religion and the church in his act.
Last summer a group of comedians lead by Bartini held a comedy show benefit to raise money for the push to get “George Carlin Way” approved. Dave Attell, Nick DiPaolo, Judah Friedlander, Eddie Brill, Lewis Black, Todd Barry, Rory Albanese, Lizz Winstead and others performed.
Congratulations to Kevin Bartini for years of hard work. The official sign for “George Carlin Way” will hang at W. 121st Street and Broadway. Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign the bill in 2 weeks and a naming celebration plan is in the works.
