Sometimes the Bay Area’s history is darker than our famous fog, and the story of Russell City is a prime example of systemic racism that erased an entire community.

In a groundbreaking move, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has voted to create a $1 million “redress fund” for the predominantly Black and Latino families forcibly displaced from Russell City in the 1960s. This unincorporated community, which existed from 1853 until its brutal demolition, was wiped off the map to make way for an industrial park in Hayward.

A Community Erased

The county’s actions were nothing short of a legal land grab. Using the convenient excuse of declaring the area “blighted,” officials forcibly evicted 205 families and 33 individuals, bulldozing their 200-acre town without a second thought. The trauma of this displacement continues to ripple through generations of families who lost their homes, businesses, and community.

Taking Accountability

Supervisor Elisa Marquez didn’t mince words, calling the destruction of Russell City “an atrocity that cannot be undone”. The fund, pieced together from supervisors’ discretionary budgets, represents a tangible step towards acknowledging historical wrongs and providing some form of reparation.

A Lesson in Historical Healing

As Supervisor David Haubert poignantly noted, “Unless we confront our history, we are doomed to repeat it”. This fund isn’t just about money, it’s about recognition, healing, and ensuring that the stories of Russell City’s residents are never forgotten.