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The descendants of a black entrepreneur are demanding justice after learning their family’s land was taken by the city of Santa Monica decades ago.
The land where the Viceroy Hotel now stands on Ocean Avenue and Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica was once owned by an entrepreneur. cyrus whiteThis property was purchased in 1957. NBC Los Angeles I will report.
White acquired the land and the old building on it in hopes of establishing the Ebony Beach Club, a place where blacks could meet and socialize.
In 1958, the city requisitioned White’s land through Notable Lands and subsequently demolished the building.
“They claim it was because it was needed for public parking.” Milana Davissaid White’s niece. “But eight years after we took the land from him, it suddenly turned out to be the perfect location for a first-class four-star hotel.”
Cyrus died in 1962, and his family only recently learned of his situation through “Where’s My Land?” An organization whose purpose is to identify cases of land theft from black owners.
“We don’t want an apology. We don’t want any more plaques.” Cabon Wardsaid the organization’s founder. “And if you are willing to provide it, we want to combine it with real justice: the return of land and compensation for decades of lost wealth.”
In response to this discovery, the City of Santa Monica released the following statement:
“Santa Monica is listening and recognizing community voices on this issue and is actively seeking appropriate and practical remedies. We know that justice will not come soon for those who have been subjected to such mistreatment, and we take very seriously what we have learned from families and individuals who have been harmed by these acts. We are a better city because of your continued attention to the issue, and we are committed to getting this right.”
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