New EBRPD park a key part of recognizing Black history in Contra Costa County
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Feb. 23, 2022) — February is an important opportunity for acknowledgement, remembrance and celebration of the achievements, experiences and culture of Black individuals.
During Black History Month, it’s important that we recognize that Black history is American history. I’m thankful that here in Contra Costa we continue to make strides to recognize Black history in our community.
Last year, I was proud to support the East Bay Regional Park District in renaming the new regional park at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station “Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50.” This park naming is meaningful both because this is the first regional park in the county to be named after a Black person and due to the history it’s honoring.
The largest home-front disaster of World War II tragically occurred right here at Port Chicago. On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion occurred when sailors and servicemen were loading heavy munitions onto a cargo vessel, killing more than 300 men. More than 200 of those killed were African American, as the military was racially segregated at the time.
In the aftermath of the disaster, servicemen at the port protested the unsafe working conditions and refused to load more munitions until safer conditions and trainings were established. The Navy retaliated by convicting 50 of the protestors, known now as the Port Chicago 50, of mutiny and sentencing them to 15 years in prison and hard labor.
Thurgood Marshall, who was at the time the chief counsel of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), appealed the convictions. Marshall’s arguments in the trial and advocacy on behalf of the Port Chicago 50 – who were eventually freed after the war – ultimately led to the desegregation of the military, a historic step toward racial justice for our country.
Years later, in 1967, Marshall would become the first African American to be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice.
It’s important that we remember the men who died at Port Chicago, the righteous stance against unfair treatment that the surviving servicemen took, and how these events and Marshall’s arguments led to real change. I was proud to author a letter last year to support the park district and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s $10 million request to help fund a planned visitor center featuring the historic events associated with the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.
While the opening of the park is still several years away, my hope is that our community will be able to visit, learn more about those the park is honoring, and reflect on how we can continue to make our communities a better and more just place for all.
Reach Assemblyman Tim Grayson at (925) 521-1511. Visit or write the district office 2151 Salvio Street, Suite P, Concord, CA 94520.