The descendants of Sidney and Irene Dearing have now filed a lawsuit in Alameda County seeking damages from the City of Piedmont over an egregious, century-old act of racial injustice.
The story of Sidney and Irene Dearing, who were harassed and intimidated — including by an angry mob led by a Ku Klux Klan-affiliated police chief — after purchasing a house in the all-white town of Piedmont, was brought to greater public attention six years ago. And since then, the City of Piedmont has sought to recognize this dark chapter, funding the design and installation of a small sculpture garden on the property the Dearings were ultimately forced to sell, under duress from the city, in 1924.
That commemorative project was still in the concept phase last June, and the city suggested it would be completed by the middle of this year…