Great-granddaughter of Piedmont’s first Black residents, forced out by ‘terror campaign,’ sues city

A descendant of Sidney Dearing has filed a lawsuit against Piedmont, California, alleging racial discrimination. Over 100 years ago, the Dearing family faced harassment and violence after moving to the area. In 1924, Piedmont officials condemned their home, claiming they needed to build a road. The road was never built. The lawsuit, filed by Jordana Ackerman, claims the city used this as a pretext to force the family out because they were Black. Piedmont has recently taken steps to acknowledge its past, including plans for a memorial to the Dearing family. The city has not yet responded to the lawsuit.