Politics

Representatives Lee and DeSaulnier Push to Recognize Port Chicago 50

Published

8 years ago

March 17, 2016

As part of their ongoing effort to bring attention to the injustice suffered by the Port Chicago 50, Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Barbara Lee (CA-13) introduced House Resolution (H. Res. 616) calling for the public exoneration of the African American sailors who were wrongfully convicted following the deadliest home front disaster of World War II at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California.

The resolution is co-sponsored by several Members of Democratic Leadership, and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and has won the endorsement of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

After experiencing segregation in the Navy, 435 African American munitions sailors, who were not properly trained or supported, were killed when a cargo vessel exploded.

This incident accounted for more than 15 percent of all African American Naval casualties during WWII.

When 50 of these men understandably refused to return to the unsafe working conditions that killed their fellow sailors, they were discriminately charged and convicted of mutiny.

“The Port Chicago 50 were devoted patriots who served their country and played an essential role in the World War II home front effort,” said Lee.

“As the daughter of a veteran, I commend the 258 African-American sailors who refused to return to work until working conditions were safe and proper training was in place,” she said.

“Sadly, due to their act of bravery in the face of discrimination, 50 were tried and convicted of mutiny. Instead of hard labor sentences and dishonorable discharges, these brave sailors should be recognized for their courage. It’s past time to exonerate and honor these patriotic Americans for their bold stance for justice, the courage of their convictions and their tremendous service to our nation.”

Representative Mark DeSaulnier said, “The Port Chicago 50 were called upon to fight for our country, but ended up fighting for their own lives. It is long past time to recognize this injustice and to set the record straight.”

In a letter to Members of Congress, Hilary O. Shelton, Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and Senior VP for Policy and Advocacy, said, “our nation’s oldest, largest and most widely-recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization supports H.Res. 616 and the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50. In these days of increased racial and ethnic bigotry on the national stage, it is clear that steps must be taken to demonstrate that lessons have been learned from the past. A complete exoneration would be a step in the right direction.”

The resolution has the support of more than 70 Members of the House of Representatives.

Last summer, Representatives DeSaulnier and Lee, along with Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, sent a letter to President Obama asking him to do everything in his power to acknowledge the injustice suffered by these sailors and remove these racially biased convictions from their records.

California Senators Boxer and Feinstein followed sent a similar letter.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

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Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza 

On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By California Black Media

“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.

“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.

The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.

Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.

“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.

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Community

Financial Assistance Bill for Descendants of Enslaved Persons to Help Them Purchase, Own, or Maintain a Home

California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) vice chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) introduced new legislation related to reparations to the Senate Committee on Housing on April 2 in Sacramento. Senate Bill (SB) 1007, “establishes the Homeowner’s Assistance for Descendants of Enslaved Persons Program to make financial aid or assistance available to descendants for the purposes of purchasing, owning, or maintaining a home,” the legislation states.

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood). Photo Courtesy of L.A. Sentinel

California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) vice chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) introduced new legislation related to reparations to the Senate Committee on Housing on April 2 in Sacramento.

Senate Bill (SB) 1007, “establishes the Homeowner’s Assistance for Descendants of Enslaved Persons Program to make financial aid or assistance available to descendants for the purposes of purchasing, owning, or maintaining a home,” the legislation states.

The Senate Housing Committee advanced the bill with an 8-1 vote. It will be re-referred to the Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) was the only member who voted against the bill.

“SB 1007 is about starting a long process of paying back a debt that is not only owed, but that was also promised, and is 160 years overdue, to African Americans,” Bradford told the committee chaired by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). “It is the first step in closing the wealth and equity gap created by centuries of slavery and racial discrimination policies.”

The bill aligns with one of the 115 recommendations listed in a two-year study conducted by the California reparations task force, of which Bradford was one of nine members.

Bradford said the report reveals that, in the state of California, a typical Black-owned home is 22% less valuable than a White-owned home.

Various advocacy groups from around the state attended the hearing held at the State Capitol Annex Swing Space. The California Housing Partnership, Bay Area Regional Health and Inequities Initiative, Coalition for A Just and Equitable California, Disability Rights of California, the American Civil Liberties Union of California, and California Community Builders all voiced their support of the bill.