SAN PEDRO – An intersection in San Pedro was dedicated Saturday as NAACP Square, one day before the 114th anniversary of the founding of the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.
Mayor Karen Bass was among the speakers at the noon ceremony, calling the City Council’s 10-0 vote Nov. 22 to approve the designation of the intersection at West Third and South Mesa streets “a powerful, permanent recognition of the ongoing work to achieve racial equity.”
The square is in front of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, the home church of Joe Gatlin, who was among the leaders of the effort begun in 2015 to “re-energize” San Pedro/Wilmington NAACP Branch 1069.
“We must celebrate and recognize the contributions of the African American community throughout the 15th Council District, beyond Black History Month,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker, whose district includes San Pedro.
‘`Now when you’re driving or walking by South Mesa and West Third Street, take a moment to reflect. Across all of our communities, and throughout the One-Five, by uplifting each other, we can be stronger together.
With San Pedro having a Black population of less than 5% “this street dedication shows that humility does exist and that no matter how much of a minority a group of people are, they are still human and deserve the same amount of representation, respect and celebration,” branch president Cheyenne Bryant said.