I-Team follow-up: Opponents to Section 14 settlement say it doesn’t go far enough while Survivors group prepares summit
John White
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors group will be holding a summit on Saturday, November 16, celebrating the one-year anniversary of reaching an historic $5.91 million settlement with the city of Palm Springs.
The settlement revolves around the city’s role in removing mostly minority residents from Section 14, an area of Agua Caliente Tribal land next to downtown Palm Springs, over five decades ago.
As the group prepares for its summit, a smaller group continues to raise questions about the settlement, arguing it falls short of righting the wrongs of the past.
“Ain’t no bandage in the world can heal, taking away my family and my people,” Charlie Johnson says.
Johnson lived on Section 14 and says he saw the racism and pain firsthand, including the murders of two relatives.
He counts himself as a survivor but isn’t participating in the settlement.
One year after the historic vote, the President and Founder of the Section 14 Survivors Group, Pearl Devers, says it’s time to move forward.
“It’s been sixty years that we put forth since getting to this point, to get anything,” Devers says.
Johnson says before the settlement was finalized recently, he filed a petition, making his opposition known to the city.
He argues the petition gives him, and the 36 others who signed it, the ability to pursue their own case.
Devers responds, “We understand that there are always going to be people who are not satisfied, and we can’t satisfy everybody. It’s virtually impossible. And so, what we do is we focus on the positive.”
Johnson isn’t alone.
Yvonne Bryant refused to sign a waiver for her father’s claim after he passed away.
“You sent the release asking us to sign away our rights for the payment, you’re not saying how much the payment is going to be,” Bryant says.
Johnson is especially upset over commitments that aren’t in the settlement, including $20 million for affordable housing programs and $1 million for economic development.
“Keep your crumbs as to what they are, as to what you all negotiated, because I feel, hey, we can do better,” Johnson says.
Section 14 Attorney, Areva Martin, says Johnson’s opposition is misplaced, “His issues aren’t with Section 14, it’s with the city, and it is with the way that he says his family was displaced to the north end.”
Devers says it’s time to move forward after last year’s historic vote and hopes Saturday’s summit will be a good start.
“It’s entitled ‘Reflect, Re-imagine and Rebuild,’ and so our purpose is to do exactly that,” Devers says.
Section 14 Survivors
City of Palm Springs Statement on Section 14 Settlement
“The City of Palm Springs remains deeply proud of the historic Section 14 settlement, which represents a milestone in the City’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, and healing. The settlement agreement approved by the City Council in November 2024 and finalized this fall was developed through years of dialogue and collaboration with the attorney representing survivors and descendants of Section 14.
Negotiations with the attorney for the Section 14 survivors have concluded, and the agreement is now final. The City has fulfilled its $5.9 million financial commitment, completing all payments to the attorney and claimant entity representing the survivors and descendants.
The City understands that some individuals may have differing opinions about the agreement. While we recognize that not everyone will agree on every aspect of the settlement, the City deeply respects all perspectives and remains committed to advancing the shared goals of healing, housing opportunity, and community recognition reflected in the agreement. As the City continues to develop the housing and programmatic components, we will actively engage Section 14 survivors and descendants to ensure these efforts are inclusive, responsive, and truly reflective of their history, voices, and contributions.
In addition to the direct financial compensation, the City is moving forward with the housing, small business, and cultural components of the settlement. These include the launch of new affordable housing initiatives with a preference for Section 14 families, business support programs, and the development of both a public memorial and a park to honor the Section 14 community.
This settlement marks an important step forward — one that acknowledges a painful history while building a stronger and more inclusive future for Palm Springs and all who call it home.”