Alameda County
Alameda County Formally Recognizes, Apologizes for its Role in Russell City’s Destruction
On Tuesday, June 27, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors formally apologized for the County’s role in the seizure and destruction of the unincorporated area known as Russell City, now located within the City of Hayward.
Board of Supervisors passes a resolution introduced by Board President Nate Miley and District 2 Supervisor Elisa Márquez to formally recognize and apologize for the harm caused to residents and descendants of Russell City
By Erika Brink
On Tuesday, June 27, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors formally apologized for the County’s role in the seizure and destruction of the unincorporated area known as Russell City, now located within the City of Hayward.
During the 1950s and 1960s, roughly 1,400 residents were displaced when the largely African American and Latino farming community was annexed into Hayward to build an industrial park.
The 12-block neighborhood known as Russell City was home to more than 230 families and numerous businesses. At the time, ongoing neglect from the County of Alameda led to a lack of sewage and water services, dedicated fire service, and other basic public infrastructure.
Conditions created by the lack of these basic municipal services were used by County and City of Hayward officials to justify the creation of a redevelopment plan that required the destruction of Russell City to make way for the City to annex and permit the development of an industrial business park with dedicated municipal services denied to the residents of Russell City.
In adopting the resolution on Tuesday, several Supervisors apologized directly to former residents and descendants in attendance. Board President Miley and Supervisor Márquez read the full resolution into the record.
Supervisor Márquez shared, “I’ve heard a lot from Hayward residents and descendants of Russell City about the importance of the City of Hayward and now the County of Alameda acknowledging the impact and harm caused to Russell City residents by the actions of the governing bodies of the City and County at that time.
“The collaboration between the families and descendants of Russell City with ‘Still I Rise Films’ shares residents’ stories and experiences. This is an inspiring and crucial step towards our communities coming together to heal and recognize our shared history. I want to express heartfelt gratitude to each and every Russell City family and descendant for sharing this powerful history.”
Miley pointed out that the 1963 Board was pictured in the Board chambers along with the prior Board of Supervisors. He said, “The Board of Supervisors approved a Reparations Committee for the Board and I feel this resolution today is part of our efforts around reparations because reparations aren’t all about compensation.
“There are other ways of trying to indicate reparations and I know many years ago the Board apologized for slavery, apologized for the Rodney King [beating] and now we have this matter before us today that is very important as well.”
With the adoption of the resolution Alameda County also committed to continuing the conversation with residents at the Board’s Ad Hoc Committee and Reparations Commission over the next year.
To view and participate in future Board of Supervisors or Ad Hoc Committee and Reparations Commission meetings visit https://bos.acgov.org/broadcast/ for meeting notices and agendas.
