Russell City redress effort gains momentum with new county funding commitments

Separately, two county supervisors pledge $125k apiece toward Reparations Commission's public outreach efforts; Supervisor gauged sheriff's interest in providing increased patrols in East Oakland

Photo illustration of a mural in downtown Hayward commemorating the history of Russell City, an unincorporated area of Alameda County that was demolished by the county, and later annexed by Hayward.

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—In an emotional and historic moment, two Alameda County supervisors pledged new financial support for the long-awaited Russell City Redress Fund—bringing the region one step closer to meaningful reparative justice for a community that was displaced decades ago.

The fund now has $900,000 in commitments towards its goal of $1 million. Responding to some confusion about how the proceeds will be used, Supervisor Elisa Márquez said, “It is absolutely a payment. This is funding that will go to the individuals that lived in Russell City. That is the point of the redress payment.”

Speaking at an ad hoc for county reparations on Wednesday, Márquez reflected on the painful legacy of Russell City's destruction in the 1960s, calling it “an atrocity that cannot be undone.” Márquez added, “This is urgent and it is dire. Every year, we learn of more elders dying,” she said of Russell City’s former residents.

—Márquez pledged $400,000 from her district funds to the Russell City Redress Fund on Wednesday. Supervisor Nate Miley committed $250,000 from his district funds to the effort.

In addition, Hayward city leaders have identified $250,000 for the redress fund, according to Márquez.

The growing fund, with an initial goal of $1 million, will support direct payments and community-led projects designed to redress the forced displacement of the mostly Black and Latino residents of Russell City.

MORE ON RUSSELL CITY

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“We must progress past the written word to tangible action through the establishment of a Russell City redress fund for living residents,” she said, referencing the formal apologies offered by the city of Hayward in 2021, and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in 2023 for its role in the community’s demolition.

A survey conducted by the Russell City Reparative Justice Project Steering Committee in 2023, found 78 percent of the 377 respondents said the forced relocation by the county caused a major financial hardship for their families.

Additionally, 84 percent said they have not received any relocation assistance from the county, and 84 percent said the loss of property and businesses affected their ability to transfer wealth to the next generation.

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—More inside:

• Board of Supervisors ad hoc committee open their office’s purse strings again, will ask full board for additional funding to begin county’s public outreach for possible reparations strategies.

• Supervisor presses sheriff on boosting patrols in East Oakland—but Sanchez urges larger conversation, retaining her focus on the unincorporated areas.

• After budget snub, failed attempt at placing a regional housing measure on last year’s ballot, BAHFA looks to regroup with limited resources.

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