THE APOLOGY, a feature-length documentary by Mimi Chakarova, investigates an incident in the 1960s in which Alameda County and the City of Hayward dismantled the entire community of Russell City, pushing 1,400 residents out of their homes and off their land – all to claim the 200 acres for an industrial park.
Most of the residents ended up in Russell City in the first place because Black and Latino families could not purchase homes or land elsewhere. For them, the unincorporated area, located south of Oakland and across the bay from San Francisco, was a beloved village – with 13 businesses, seven churches and 205 families. All of this was lost in 1963.
Join us for a Q&A with Director Mimi Chakarova, Producer Aisha Knowles, and former residents of Russell City after the film.
This free community screening is hosted by the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department in honor of Affordable Housing Month, where each May, East Bay Housing Organizations join various groups across the Bay Area to host events that bring awareness to and promote discussions related to affordable housing.
Thank you to the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department for their support of this event.
