Some residents can get new licenses at special sessions

HOLLYWOOD — Three streets in Hollywood named for Confederate generals now have new names: Forrest became Freedom, Hood became Hope and Lee became Liberty.

That means dozens of residents need to update their driver’s licenses, but they won’t have to wait at the DMV.

Instead, they can get the job done by coming to special sessions planned throughout Hollywood.

“If they come with a valid license showing they live on one of the streets impacted by the name change, they’ll get a new license at no cost,” said Hollywood spokeswoman Raelin Storey.

The controversy made headlines in July 2015 when vandals painted over street signs named after Confederate commanders Robert E. Lee, John Bell Hood and Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was also the first grand wizard of the KKK.

Commissioners ended the long-running debate in November when they agreed to rename the streets.

So far, three special sessions have been set up for the following days: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Blvd.; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Driftwood Community Center, 3000 North 69th Ave.; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 12 at the Liberia Network Center, 2207 Raleigh St.

More sessions will planned as needed.

Residents will need to bring their driver’s license, the official letter they received from City Hall about the name change and all documents required by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

People who don’t have a current license with a star will need to bring original documents that validate their identity, Social Security card and residential address. For a checklist, go to GatherGoGet.com.

For information, 954-921-3201. be call

sbryan@sunsentinel.com