The Palm Springs City Council has approved a $5.9 million settlement with Black and Latino families whose homes in Section 14 were destroyed during urban renewal efforts in the mid-20th century. The decision was met with cheers and emotional reactions from survivors and their descendants, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to address historic injustices.
Pearl Devers, a survivor of Section 14, described the settlement as “a beacon of hope” and expressed optimism that it could inspire similar actions globally. “I feel like I can breathe finally,” she shared after the unanimous vote. The settlement compensates families for the estimated value of personal property lost and includes a day of remembrance to honor Section 14 residents’ contributions.
Councilmember Lisa Middleton emphasized the city’s responsibility: “We broke something that was yours, and now we need to pay for it.” Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein acknowledged the limitations of monetary reparations, saying, “No amount of money” could heal the wounds but stressed the importance of restorative justice.
Beyond the settlement, the council approved initiatives addressing economic inequities, including $20 million for housing and $1 million for marginalized community businesses, with targeted outreach to Section 14 families.
Section 14, located in the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation, became a thriving working-class community despite limited infrastructure and exclusionary practices in Palm Springs. However, beginning in the 1950s, city-led abatement campaigns displaced residents, demolishing 197 homes without proper notice. The state later referred to these actions as a “city-engineered holocaust.”
Thursday’s council meeting featured over an hour of public comment, with many recounting stories of loss and celebrating the settlement’s significance. Lawyer Areva Martin, representing survivors, called the agreement a “landmark” that recognizes the humanity and dignity of those affected. “This was never about money,” she said. “This was always about recognizing the humanity.”
The settlement also includes a monument listing former residents’ names and discussions about naming a park. With up to 1,200 claimants, the move symbolizes a broader reckoning with Palm Springs’ history of displacement and systemic racism.
Link: LA Times
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