LeRoy King

LeRoy King (Born September 9, 1927, died June 12, 2019) was an african american civil rights activist with the majority of his work being in the western addition of San Francisco. His work continued throughout the later half of the 20th century, becoming a prominent voice against the displacement of black residents caused by urban renewal projects, known also as “Negro Removal” by critics.

Background

King worked in the western addition, a historically significant black community in San Francisco. The area grew mostly during world war 2, with an influx of African American workers to work in bay area shipbuilding and defense industries. After the war, the area became a hub for Black culture and religion, through additions such as jazz clubs and black owned businesses through Fillmore Street.

Civil Rights Activism

King was a member of the Western Addition Community Organization (WACO), formed to represent low income and minority residents during San Francisco's urban redevelopment campaigns. WACO challenged the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA), demanding equitable relocation assistance as well as the right to return rebuilt housing for displaced residents. Through Community meetings and protests, WACO leaders, including King, argued that redevelopment plans systematically excluded people who would be the most affected.

Legacy

LeRoy King was a part of a generation of local civic workers whose contributions went unrecorded in the mainstream. He was a part of an effort that connected the issues of housing to racial equality and political power. Recently, historians have made an effort to bring figures like King into the public record.

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