RESTORATIVE JUSTICE – After 93 years, Bruce’s Beach is Bruce’s beach, again
by Mark McDermott Kavon Ward arrived at the podium with her right hand raised in the air. She stood silently for a moment, taking in the gathering of dignitaries, Bruce family members, activists, reporters, photographers, musicians, dancers, and Manhattan Beach residents. “Justice,” she said, her voice booming, “for Bruce’s Beach.” Ward founded the Justice for Bruce’s Beach movement a little over two years ago. The movement’s goal came to full fruition Wednesday morning when the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder Dean Logan handed Anthony Bruce the documentation officially transferring the deed to the land. “It’s a bureaucratic document, but it is the official record that will show the transfer,” Logan said. “It symbolizes for all of us that it is always the right time to do the right thing.” Ninety-three years ago, Willa and Charles Bruce lost the land upon which Wednesday’s gathering occurred. Against significant odds, in 1912 the couple founded a resort that gave Black people a rare place to congregate at the beach. They met resistance immediately, particularly from George Peck, one of the fledgling city’s founders, who during the first weekend Bruce’s Lodge was open had the…
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