This petition is submitted on behalf of the Patterson–Johnson family and the descendants of Russell City in response to the removal of our family’s sacred Willow Tree and the broader history of displacement our community has endured.

The private property owners have stated that the Willow Tree fell during a storm and was removed as a result. However, the City of Hayward has confirmed that the tree was designated as a protected Heritage Tree. As descendants and cultural stewards of this land, our family believes we should have been formally notified prior to any removal. The failure to notify us reflects a procedural breakdown and continues a long pattern of exclusion from decisions affecting our ancestral land and cultural heritage.

This petition calls not only for acknowledgment, but for meaningful reform and restorative action.

We propose The Russell City Legacy Restoration, a phased framework designed to move from apology toward lasting systemic change:

Phase 1 — Immediate Accountability

Formal recognition of the harm caused by the failure to notify descendants

Adoption of the Weeping Willow as the City of Hayward’s official City Tree

A moratorium on the removal of historic and heritage-designated flora

Phase 2 — Short-Term Cultural Restoration

Commissioning a Willow Atrium and Reflection Space

Development of a Shoreline Heritage Trail honoring the history and living legacy of Russell City

Phase 3 — Mid-Term Land-Based Reparations

Transfer of publicly owned land to a Community Trust governed by descendants

Incentives for the voluntary return of privately held land to displaced families

Phase 4 — Long-Term Community Anchoring

Establishment of a Russell City Cultural Hub

Business incubation, archival space, and a cooperative marketplace to support generational wealth building

In addition to these restorative actions, this petition calls for policy reforms to prevent future harm:

A mandatory notification requirement for descendant families and cultural stakeholders before any removal or alteration of Heritage Trees or historic sites

Creation of a public Heritage Tree and Cultural Site Registry with enforcement authority

Clear penalties and remediation requirements for unauthorized removals

A formal descendant consultation protocol embedded in city planning and public works processes

These reforms are necessary to repair a fundamental breach of trust that began with the forced displacement of Russell City and continues when decisions are made without descendant knowledge or consent.

By signing this petition, you are supporting transparency, accountability, and a path toward restorative justice rooted in land, memory, and community.