A black family whose ancestors were robbed of the resort they had in Manhattan Beach nearly 100 years ago can finally reclaim the land.
A new bill, if passed, will allow Los Angeles County officials to transfer the site, which currently serves as a lifeguard center, to the descendants of Charles and Willa Bruce, who lost their lands and businesses. when the city seized him in 1924, he reported to the Los Angeles Times.
State legislation is needed due to property restrictions when the state transferred the two plots to LA County in 1995.
“We are here today to introduce a bill that will correct this grave injustice and allow land to be returned to the Bruce family,” State Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) said Friday when he formally introduced the bill. “I hope this legislation is not the last in a series of state actions to address centuries of heinous acts against black Americans.”
Bruce family representative Duane Shepard Sr. thanked those who fought to reclaim his family’s land Friday while killing Manhattan Beach City officials for refusing to apologize officially for the historical lack.
“We reserve our rights on this Earth to be men, to be women, to be human beings, to receive the rights of human beings, to receive the respect of human beings, in this country today and in this society to this damn city, ”Shepard said.
The Bruce family saga began in 1912, when Willa Bruce bought the first of two lots along the Strand, between 26th and 27th Streets, for $ 1,225. Her husband, Charles, worked as a chef in dining car cars on trains. Willa turned the place into a thriving resort for black families who, due to racism, could not enjoy other beach areas on the coast.
The place became known as “Bruce’s Beach” and other black families moved to the area and built their own summer homes.
The Bruces and their guests endured for years threats and harassment from the Ku Klux Klan, among others. Then, in 1924, the city condemned the area and seized more than 20 properties through eminent domains.
Officials justified the move by saying there was an urgent need for a public park. But the land remained empty for decades and did not become a park until years later, the LA Times said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who began the crusade to return the land, said the county is negotiating with the Bruce family on what is to come. If the bill goes as expected, the county will likely lease the land to the family.
“I think the best part of that is that we will be allowed to return the property to the descendants of the family and let them decide what they want to do,” he said. “The Bruce family was robbed of their California dream.”