To: Board of Supervisors
From: Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor
Report Title: ADOPT Resolution 2024-278 celebrating the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50 and recognizing those who significantly contributed towards the exoneration advocacy efforts, as recommended by Supervisor Federal Glover.
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution celebrating the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50 and recognizing those who significantly contributed towards the exoneration advocacy efforts, as recommended by Supervisor Federal Glover.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
On July 17, 2024, eighty years after explosions at the Port Chicago naval facility in Contra Costa County killed 320 sailors, Coast Guard personnel and civilians, the secretary of the Navy announced the full exoneration of African American sailors who were charged in 1944 with mutiny and refusing orders to return to work in dangerous conditions loading ammunition.
Over the years, the Board of Supervisors has recognized and supported the exoneration advocacy efforts on behalf of the Port Chicago 50.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
N/A
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
IN THE MATTER OF recognizing the United States Navy's exoneration of the Port Chicago Sailors
WHEREAS, on July 17, 1944, there was a large waterfront munitions explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine which killed more than 320 sailors, over 200 of whom were African American; and
WHEREAS, the explosion also injured 390 others, including 226 African American enlisted men; and
WHEREAS, before the explosion, these men were working significant hours with munitions continuously being loaded despite little to no training; and
WHEREAS, the specific cause of the explosion was never officially determined by a court of inquiry, and the blame was placed on the shoulders of the men who died in the explosion; and ...
Click here for full text