E. PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 MINUTES PER PERSON)
Speakers may provide public comments on any matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, including items on the agenda. The Mayor may determine whether an item is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. While all comments are welcome, the Brown Act does not allow City Council to take action on any item not on the agenda.
Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Orders No. N-25-20 and No. N-29-20, City Council Chambers is not open to the public. In the interest of maintaining appropriate social distancing, the City Council encourages the public to participate by submitting comments in advance of the meeting, no later than 5:30 PM, August 4, 2020 (the day of the meeting), via:
1) eComment at http://www.citymb.info/ecomment;
2) email to cityclerk@citymb.info; or
3) telephone message recorded at (310) 802-5030.
All of your comments provided by the deadlines above will be available to the City Council and the public prior to the meeting.
In addition, you may participate by joining Zoom during the meeting:
If you wish to speak on any item on the agenda, please register in advance by clicking the following link:
https://citymb.seamlessdocs.com/f/publiccomment
1) Join Zoom Meeting via the internet:
Direct URL: https://comb.zoom.us/j/98365682559, Meeting ID: 983-6568-2559
During the meeting you will need to use the "raise hand" button through Zoom at the time the Mayor invites the public to provide comments.
2) Join Zoom Meeting via Phone Conference (Voice Only):
Phone Number: (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 983-6568-2559
During the meeting you will need to enter *9 on the phone's dial pad at the time the Mayor invites the public to provide comments.
The land known as "Bruce's Beach" is entangled with an uncomfortable past that Manhattan Beach residents must face. This town, which is undoubtedly safe and secure from the ills of the world, need to recognize how this land was taken from the rightful owners along with the support of the KKK. Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson's report on her research should be included in the discussion of the historical context of this land that is enjoyed by many, including myself. Justice for the Bruce Family.
Manhattan Beach needs to make a change after years of hateful, racist language and actions. This land belongs to the Bruce family, and now is the perfect time for Manhattan Beach to make reparations and take a stand with Black lives. This town undoubtedly has a subtext of racism. After hearing from other Black students in MB about their experiences, after failing to see any actions taken after the 2015 hate crime in the hill section, I feel that the city is LONG overdue to make change.
Giving the land back to the Bruce Family is essential as Manhattan Beach reckons with their horrific history. White supremacists ran this family off their land and prevented them from ever reclaiming the land. It is highly immoral and this family deserves restitution. Do better, Manhattan Beach.
The land was unlawfully taken away from the Bruce family simply because they were Black. The city has not been accountable to the Bruce family. This story is not unique to Manhattan Beach, but we can be unique in our response today to the injustice of 100 years ago, at a time when our nation is grappling with how to respond to demands for racial justice. We can lead by returning the land to the Bruce family. I support the demands of the petition Bruce's Beach: Justice for the Bruce Family".
It is imperative that we give the Bruce family's narrative a place in this upcoming forum. Not only is this an opportunity for our community to differentiate itself from those who shy away or deny their racists histories, it is an optimal time to educate the current residents about Manhattan Beach's part in furthering economic and emotional trauma on Black Americans. It would be a foul oversight to deny their voices in this matter.
There were 20 families involved in the case, is the City going to deed all the land back? Pay everyone reparations? There is no end. the full history of BB has been discussed publically by multiple media outlets, what can the CC add? The case is settled and should not be re-opened and the land should not be given back
There was a contract and court case, the issue is closed, we cannot look back at 1920 with a 2020 lens. The museum can make an exhibit. No re-deeding the land back, no reparations.
Bringing this up again when it was already discussed in previous CC is a waste of time. Perhaps all the people who care, should form a non profit and raise money and give the money to the Bruce's. The city has at least more important topics to cover, economic recovery, opening schools and residents. No to any reparations and giving the land back
The City should not re-deeding Bruce's Beach back to the Bruces nor pay any reparations. The property in question was deeded to the city under eminent domain almost 100 years ago, along with dozens of other properties belonging to people of all races. the Bruces received fair compensation. The issue was litigated and settled in court. We are a country o flaws, and the Bruces should go to court if they want to contest the land.
I support the anti-racist movement. The full history of Bruce's Beach needs to be acknowledged publicly, taught through local curriculum, and updated on the plaque. Full restoration of the original property as well as retributions for loss of generational wealth due to the unjust use of eminent domain to take the Bruce's property as well as generational trauma endured by this terrorization needs to be made by the City of Manhattan Beach in taking steps towards healing our racism as a community.
A new statue of Willa Bruce next to the revised plaque is a nice compromise. The current plaque fails to give an accurate depiction of events and fails to mention KKK involvement, the harassment that Black visitors faced while enjoying the beach, and the circumstances regarding the eminent domain seizure of the land. City leaders must acknowledge and address the history of Bruce's Beach and the role of the city in seizing and condemning the property.
I am opposed to re-deeding Bruce's Beach back to the Bruces and to the payment of any reparations. My understanding is the property in question was deeded to the city under eminent domain almost 100 years ago, along with dozens of other properties belonging to people of all races. The issue was litigated and settled. If the Bruces, or any other party, think they can revive their settled claim a century later, the courts are always at their disposal.
I’m in support of further discussion on Bruce’s beach. I believe reparations as in order and that we must listen to our Black community when it comes to how this is best done. I also believe this is something that should be taught in our schools as evidence that racism is visible throughout our communities and is not a “far off” topic.
I’m writing in support of Councilmember Hersman’s call to open debate about Bruce’s Beach on the City Council. The City Council needs to address its use of eminent domain to enforce racial segregation in Manhattan Beach as well as the culture that led to it. Claiming we just don’t have a problem in Manhattan Beach is false. We need to listen to Black community members and the Bruce family and push for real change.
The city must return the land it stole from the Bruce family to its rightful owners, and provide restitution for loss of revenue and monetary damages for violation of their civil rights. The city should also replace the current plaque, which fails to address the full history of Bruce’s Beach, and issue a public apology taking responsibility for the theft of the Bruce family land and acknowledge that Manhattan Beach is not only not immune from racism, but also has actively participated in it.
Encorage everyone to read “Land Ownership and Occupancy by Negroes in Manhattan Beach, California,” By Robert Brigham, Master’s thesis, 1956 before forming an opinion. Available at https://repository.library.fresnostate.edu/handle/10211.3/181688
The land known as "Bruce's Beach" is entangled with an uncomfortable past that Manhattan Beach residents must face. This town, which is undoubtedly safe and secure from the ills of the world, need to recognize how this land was taken from the rightful owners along with the support of the KKK. Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson's report on her research should be included in the discussion of the historical context of this land that is enjoyed by many, including myself. Justice for the Bruce Family.
Manhattan Beach needs to make a change after years of hateful, racist language and actions. This land belongs to the Bruce family, and now is the perfect time for Manhattan Beach to make reparations and take a stand with Black lives. This town undoubtedly has a subtext of racism. After hearing from other Black students in MB about their experiences, after failing to see any actions taken after the 2015 hate crime in the hill section, I feel that the city is LONG overdue to make change.
Giving the land back to the Bruce Family is essential as Manhattan Beach reckons with their horrific history. White supremacists ran this family off their land and prevented them from ever reclaiming the land. It is highly immoral and this family deserves restitution. Do better, Manhattan Beach.
The land was unlawfully taken away from the Bruce family simply because they were Black. The city has not been accountable to the Bruce family. This story is not unique to Manhattan Beach, but we can be unique in our response today to the injustice of 100 years ago, at a time when our nation is grappling with how to respond to demands for racial justice. We can lead by returning the land to the Bruce family. I support the demands of the petition Bruce's Beach: Justice for the Bruce Family".
It is imperative that we give the Bruce family's narrative a place in this upcoming forum. Not only is this an opportunity for our community to differentiate itself from those who shy away or deny their racists histories, it is an optimal time to educate the current residents about Manhattan Beach's part in furthering economic and emotional trauma on Black Americans. It would be a foul oversight to deny their voices in this matter.
There were 20 families involved in the case, is the City going to deed all the land back? Pay everyone reparations? There is no end. the full history of BB has been discussed publically by multiple media outlets, what can the CC add? The case is settled and should not be re-opened and the land should not be given back
There was a contract and court case, the issue is closed, we cannot look back at 1920 with a 2020 lens. The museum can make an exhibit. No re-deeding the land back, no reparations.
Bringing this up again when it was already discussed in previous CC is a waste of time. Perhaps all the people who care, should form a non profit and raise money and give the money to the Bruce's. The city has at least more important topics to cover, economic recovery, opening schools and residents. No to any reparations and giving the land back
The City should not re-deeding Bruce's Beach back to the Bruces nor pay any reparations. The property in question was deeded to the city under eminent domain almost 100 years ago, along with dozens of other properties belonging to people of all races. the Bruces received fair compensation. The issue was litigated and settled in court. We are a country o flaws, and the Bruces should go to court if they want to contest the land.
I support the anti-racist movement. The full history of Bruce's Beach needs to be acknowledged publicly, taught through local curriculum, and updated on the plaque. Full restoration of the original property as well as retributions for loss of generational wealth due to the unjust use of eminent domain to take the Bruce's property as well as generational trauma endured by this terrorization needs to be made by the City of Manhattan Beach in taking steps towards healing our racism as a community.
A new statue of Willa Bruce next to the revised plaque is a nice compromise. The current plaque fails to give an accurate depiction of events and fails to mention KKK involvement, the harassment that Black visitors faced while enjoying the beach, and the circumstances regarding the eminent domain seizure of the land. City leaders must acknowledge and address the history of Bruce's Beach and the role of the city in seizing and condemning the property.
I am opposed to re-deeding Bruce's Beach back to the Bruces and to the payment of any reparations. My understanding is the property in question was deeded to the city under eminent domain almost 100 years ago, along with dozens of other properties belonging to people of all races. The issue was litigated and settled. If the Bruces, or any other party, think they can revive their settled claim a century later, the courts are always at their disposal.
I’m in support of further discussion on Bruce’s beach. I believe reparations as in order and that we must listen to our Black community when it comes to how this is best done. I also believe this is something that should be taught in our schools as evidence that racism is visible throughout our communities and is not a “far off” topic.
I’m writing in support of Councilmember Hersman’s call to open debate about Bruce’s Beach on the City Council. The City Council needs to address its use of eminent domain to enforce racial segregation in Manhattan Beach as well as the culture that led to it. Claiming we just don’t have a problem in Manhattan Beach is false. We need to listen to Black community members and the Bruce family and push for real change.
The city must return the land it stole from the Bruce family to its rightful owners, and provide restitution for loss of revenue and monetary damages for violation of their civil rights. The city should also replace the current plaque, which fails to address the full history of Bruce’s Beach, and issue a public apology taking responsibility for the theft of the Bruce family land and acknowledge that Manhattan Beach is not only not immune from racism, but also has actively participated in it.
Encorage everyone to read “Land Ownership and Occupancy by Negroes in Manhattan Beach, California,” By Robert Brigham, Master’s thesis, 1956 before forming an opinion. Available at https://repository.library.fresnostate.edu/handle/10211.3/181688