June 5, 1966: 58 years ago, June 23 1966, tenants of Alameda's Estuary Housing Project [...]
58 years ago, June 23 1966, tenants of Alameda’s Estuary Housing Project ended a 5-day occupation of Franklin Park after the city agreed to many of their demands, relocating some residents and delaying the demolition of the majority-Black community
The Estuary, adjacent to Naval Air Station Alameda, was built during World War II to house workers in the war industries. It continued as low-cost housing until plans to demolish it were announced in 1963. Residents were pressured to leave via a campaign of targeted harassment
In response, the local chapter of the NAACP formed the Citizens Committee for Low-Income Housing to organize Estuary tenants. The committee conducted a number of rallies and marches, including one to the home of Alameda’s mayor, but met with little success
In June of 1966, mere days before the demolition deadline, tenants set up camp in Alameda’s Franklin Park, which was frequented by supporters from across the East Bay, refusing to leave until their demands for dignified relocation were met, which the mayor quickly promised to do
Participants in the “tent-in” described a joyous “summer camp” atmosphere. “The children are really enjoying themselves,” explained camper Dorothy Reed, “it’s the first time they have a park to play in all day…. It’s better living here than in the projects.”
We wrote about the Estuary Housing Project and the Franklin Park “tent-in” last month for @StSpiritNews. You can read our piece in the link below:
