Latest & Featured News

View the latest and featured news stories about the Russell City community and the Russell City Reparative Justice Project. 

Please noteIn most instances where articles are behind paywalls, the City has provided a PDF copy of the article. 

How a demolished community became the epicenter of the Bay Area reparations debateHow a demolished community became the epicenter of the Bay Area reparations debate

July 30, 2023, The Mercury News, by Will McCarthy

Alameda County apologizes for the annexation, destruction of Russell City

 

 

California Panel Sizes Up Reparations for Black Citizens

Updated June 20, 2023, New York Times by Kurtis Lee

The state is undertaking the nation’s most ambitious effort so far to compensate for the economic legacy of slavery and racism.

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How one city's apology to Black and Latino residents sparked a backlashHow one city's apology to Black and Latino residents sparked a backlash:

June 19, 2023, NBCNews by Lindsey Davis, Allison Lau, Ron Allen

A California city apologized for its role in destroying a Black and Latino community 60 years ago. But some locals say the apology was not warranted.

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These Black and Latino citizens had land taken from them. Now, they want reparations

These Black and Latino citizens had land taken from them. Now, they want reparations

February 06, 2023, Good Morning America by Steve Osunsami

In the late 1950s, Russell City was home to many people of color. That is, until they were forced to leave. ABC News' Steve Osunsami sat down with the families now fighting for reparations.

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A Bay Area town was erased. Nearly 60 years later, its neighbor is atoning

September 11, 2022, San Francisco Chronicle by Justin Phillips

A search for “Russell City” on Google Maps brings up a street within the city of Hayward. That’s because the East Bay town no longer exists.

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Reconciling the destruction of a cultural haven in Hayward once known as Russell City

November 28, 2021, The Mercury News by Joseph Geha

City apologizes for bulldozing place where Black and Latino residents thrived 50 years ago

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