Palm Springs, a city in Southern California, has recently agreed to pay $5.9 million in compensation to Black and Latino families who were forced out of their neighborhood in the 1960s. This decision comes after years of advocacy and fighting for restitution by the affected families.
In addition to the compensation, the Palm Springs City Council has also approved $10 million for a first-time homebuyer assistance program, $10 million for a community land trust, and the establishment of a monument to honor the history of the neighborhood known as Section 14. Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein expressed the city’s commitment to creating lasting benefits for the entire community, with a focus on supporting the former residents of Section 14.
While the exact amount each family or individual will receive in compensation has not yet been determined, attorney Areva Martin, who represents over 300 former residents and their descendants, stated that the money allocated for housing assistance will primarily benefit low-income residents of Palm Springs, with priority given to former Section 14 residents and their descendants.
Section 14 was once a vibrant neighborhood on a Native American reservation, where many Black and Mexican American families lived. Residents of the area recall their homes being burned and destroyed before they were forced to leave. In 2021, the city council issued a formal apology for its role in the displacement, and in 2022, families filed a tort claim seeking $2.3 billion for the harm caused by their displacement.
The tort claim drew parallels to the tragic events that occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, over a century ago, when the vibrant Black Wall Street community was destroyed, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people. While there were no reported deaths connected to the displacement of families from Section 14, the impact on the community was profound.
This settlement represents a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices faced by Black and Latino families in Palm Springs. By providing compensation and support programs, the city is working to rectify the harm caused by the displacement of these communities and ensure a more equitable future for all residents.
