Nearly 100,000 people have signed an online petition urging New York City to rename a portion of the Manhattan avenue that runs in front of Trump Tower after Barack Obama.

The petition is on MoveOn.org, and states that the renaming of the street after Mr Obama would mean that any building addresses on the block “should be changed accordingly”.

And, if the name does get changed alongside all of those addresses, that would mean Donald Trump’s tower in the heart of the city would bear the name of his predecessor – a man he has openly disdained, began a racist conspiracy about while he was still president, and one who has spoken up in key moments to push back against the bigotry often associated with the Trump presidency.

That address, should the petition succeed? 725 President Barack H Obama Ave.

As of Wednesday morning, the petition had received over 97,000 digital signatures, urging mayor Bill de Blasio to take action on the issue.

9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes Show all 9 1 /9 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On shifting sexist attitudes 'We need to keep changing the attitude that raises our girls to be demure and our boys to be assertive, that criticises our daughters for speaking out and our sons for shedding a tear. We need to keep changing the attitude that punishes women for their sexuality and rewards men for theirs.' (Glamour magazine, August 2016) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On fair workplace policies 'Today, women make up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment. A woman deserves equal pay for equal work. She deserves to have a baby without sacrificing her job. A mother deserves a day off to care for a sick child or sick parent without running into hardship – and you know what, a father does, too. It’s time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a Mad Men episode.' (State of the Union speech, January 2014) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On the importance of feminist role models 'Michelle and I have raised our daughters to speak up when they see a double standard or feel unfairly judged based on their gender or race – or when they notice that happening to someone else. It’s important for them to see role models out in the world who climb to the highest levels of whatever field they choose. And yes, it’s important that their dad is a feminist, because now that’s what they expect of all men.' (Glamour magazine, August 2016) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On breaking glass ceilings 'As we prepare to write the next chapter of women's history, let us resolve to build on the progress won by the trailblazers of the past. We must carry forward the work of the women who came before us and ensure our daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements, and no remaining ceilings to shatter.' (Presidential Proclamation for Women's History Month, February 2011) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On granting women equal opportunities 'Around the world there is a tradition of oppressing women and treating them differently and not giving them the same opportunities, and husbands beating their wives, and children not being sent to school. Those are traditions. Treating women and girls as second-class citizens. Those are bad traditions. They need to change.' (During speech in Nairobi, Kenya in July 2015) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On gender stereotypes 'We know that these stereotypes affect how girls see themselves starting at a very young age, making them feel that if they don’t look or act a certain way, they are somehow less worthy. In fact, gender stereotypes affect all of us, regardless of our gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.' (Glamour magazine, August 2016) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On gender pay inequality 'It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts.' (Inaugural Address, January 2013) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On the true meaning of masculinity 'It’s easy to absorb all kinds of messages from society about masculinity and come to believe that there’s a right way and a wrong way to be a man. But as I got older, I realised that my ideas about being a tough guy or cool guy just weren’t me. They were a manifestation of my youth and insecurity. Life became a lot easier when I simply started being myself.' (Glamour magazine, August 2016) Getty Images 9 of Barack Obama's best feminist quotes On what a feminist looks like 'I did want to stop by and make one thing very clear: I may be a little greyer than I was eight years ago – but this is what a feminist looks like. Of course, in my household there’s no choice.' (United States of Women Summit, June 2016) AFP/Getty Images

Elizabeth Rowin, who started the petition, told Newsweek that the whole thing started as a joke after she heard that two streets in Los Angeles have been renamed after the former president, but the idea has only gained steam since it was posted online.

Illustrating the popularity of the idea, Ms Rowin said that she has heard from “several” city council members in the city supporting the idea.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

But, there is one problem: city ordinance prohibits renaming a street in New York after a person until they are dead.