Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill returning a Manhattan Beach property formerly known as “Bruce’s Beach” to the Bruce family descendants.

From 1912 to 1927, Bruce’s Beach was a popular resort destination for Black Angelenos as the beachfront property often hosted live music, Black celebrity appearances and family parties.

The beach was taken from the Bruce family by eminent domain, with the city saying it planned to build a park on the property.

In July, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to move forward with the transfer process, with Senator Steven Bradford of Gardena drawing up the bill.

“As we move to remedy this nearly century-old  injustice, California takes another step furthering our commitment to making the California Dream a reality for communities that were shamefully shut out by a history of racist exclusion,” Gov. Newsom said. “We know our work is just beginning to make amends for our past, and California will not shy from confronting the structural racism and bias that people of color face to this day. I thank the Bruce family, Senator Bradford, the Los Angeles County Supervisors and all those who fought to keep the legacy of this place alive and deliver this long overdue justice.”

Newsom signed SB 796 at the Manhattan Beach property Thursday, giving the L.A. Board authority to immediately begin the property transfer.

“SB 796 shows us that it is never too late to address the injustices of the past,” Senator Bradford said. “If you can inherit generational wealth in this country, then you can inherit generational debt too. The City of Manhattan Beach, County of Los Angeles, and the State of California owe a debt to the Bruce family. This bill passed the Legislature unanimously and with overwhelming community support, making it clear that our state is committed to tackling systemic racism head-on. I applaud Governor Newsom for helping us pay a century’s old debt by allowing Los Angeles County to move forward and return Bruce’s Beach to its rightful owners— the Bruce family.”

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