Palm Springs Agrees to $5.9 Million Settlement

Palm Springs has reached a tentative settlement of $5.9 million with Black and Latino families who were forcibly displaced from the Section 14 neighborhood in the 1960s. This agreement, which will be voted on by the city council, aims to compensate former residents and their descendants for the emotional and financial trauma incurred due to the city's actions, which included the demolition of over 230 homes for commercial development. In addition to the settlement, the council plans to allocate $10 million for a first-time homebuyer assistance program and another $10 million for a community land trust and a commemorative monument. Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein expressed gratitude for the agreement, acknowledging the city's responsibility in the displacement. The settlement is significantly less than the $2.3 billion previously sought by families, but advocates view it as a step towards justice and recognition of past injustices. Areva Martin, a civil rights attorney representing the affected families, highlighted the importance of acknowledging the harm done to the community.