‘Very Dark Secret’: Black California Families Whose Homes Were Burned Down and Bulldozed to Make Room for ‘Exotic Playground’ for Rich People Awarded $5.9M In Settlement

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously approved a $5.9 million settlement for Black and Latino families whose ancestral homes were burned down and bulldozed 60 years ago to make room for a commercial redevelopment that has since been criticized as an “exotic playground” for the rich and famous. Black and Latino family can close a chapter after Palm Springs city council approves settlement. (Credit: ABC7 Video Screengrab) A packed crowd in the City Hall chambers on Nov. 14 erupted into applause following the decision, standing up, cheering, and sharing embraces. The settlement package compensates former Section 14 residents and their families based on the current value of personal property lost.& As part of the agreement, the city will provide direct cash payments for an estimated 1,200 individuals, and establish a lasting tribute, including a potential community park, cultural healing center, and public monument, all intended to honor the legacy of Black and Latino families displaced when the city demolished the neighborhood during urban renewal in the 1950s and 1960s. The agreement closes a painful chapter in California’s history and follows years of advocacy from the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors group, led by former resident Pearl Devers. The group put...