By Lexie Blakeman, Exec. News Editor
And Sofia Williams, News Editor
California’s State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 796 on Sept. 9, legislation that aims to return publicly seized Manhattan Beach land to the family of its original owners, Willa and Charles Bruce.
The two parcels of land once owned by the Bruce family were home to a seaside lodge owned and frequented by Black patrons until 1924 when the City of Manhattan Beach overtook the parcels under Eminent Domain due to complaints from white citizens. The land was handed over to the state in 1948 and then transferred over to Los Angeles County in 1995.
“Because Manhattan Beach is such a predominantly white community, I think this bill is very important to raise awareness. Hopefully, it will pave the way for further reparations to be made to the Black community,” President of Costa’s Black Scholars Union (BSU), Ameena Campbell, said.
After passing without dissent in the State Senate, the bill moved to the Assembly in June of 2021. After successfully moving through the Appropriations Court, the bill was approved on the Assembly floor on Sept. 9, which was the last step before it landed on Governor Newsom’s desk. Senate Bill 796 would undo the stipulations of the 1995 transfer agreement, which forbid the county to sell or give the Bruce’s Beach land to anyone else.
“Law can be part of history,” school psychologist and BSU advisor Janet Allen said. “In terms of making [the bill] more universal so it goes beyond the state of California, I think that would be a great improvement.”
Los Angeles County introduced the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative in July of 2020 with the intent of eradicating systematic racial inequalities within Los Angeles County. The ARDI Initiative was tasked with the proposal of an action plan to return Bruce’s Beach to its original possessors, a plan that is quicly gaining traction as the bill for the transference of the Bruces’ land awaits approval from Newsom.
“I’m really glad [that the bill is becoming law]; many people thought that he wouldn’t get his family’s land back,” said Kamyjah Blackwell, BSU historian. “I think that it shows a lot of growth within our community.”
While approval is needed from the California Coastal Commission and the City of Manhattan Beach, the Bruce’s Beach action plan implements zoning changes, ensures the land is transferred to the Bruces’ descendants, and aims to lessen property taxes placed on the Bruces once the land has been returned to them.
“I definitely think this bill is very important for people of color,” said Kina Desai, President of Costa’s Youth Activism Club. “I really hope that Newsom looks at it, speaks about it, and signs it because this could be something that’s not happening just in Manhattan Beach. The influence and awareness raised because of the Bruce’s Beach bill could go far beyond the South Bay.”
Leave a Reply