Former residents and descendants to meet on direction of Russell City reparative justice

HAYWARD, Calif., Sept. 22, 2022— A second meeting of former Russell City residents and descendants to form a Steering Committee to direct the work of the Russell City Reparative Justice project is scheduled to take place next Thursday, Sept. 29, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom.

The Russell City Reparative Justice Project was initiated by the City of Hayward in response to calls for Hayward to redress inequitable treatment of Russell City residents arising for redevelopment of the area.

Established in 1853, Russell City was an unincorporated area of Alameda County near the Hayward shoreline between present-day Chabot College and Hayward Executive Airport.  In the early 1960s, it was annexed into the City as part of a redevelopment plan that entailed relocation of residents and businesses and rezoning of property for industrial development.

On Nov. 16, 2021, the Hayward City Council voted unanimously to formally apology for the City’s historical role in and perpetuation of racial discrimination and cited in particular participation in the redevelopment of Russell City.

Initial phases of the Reparative Justice Project have and continue to entail identification and contacting of former Russell City residents and descendants, a program of fact-finding and academic research, and formation of a governing structure including a Steering Committee to direct the Project.

To learn more—including ways for former residents and descendants to provide contact information and to watch a video recording of the first Steering Committee formation meeting that took place on Sept. 13—visit the project page on the City of Hayward website.