February 25, 2025
City Council
DATE: February 25, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Councilmember Doria Robinson
Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Subject:
Presentation and Proclamation Honoring the
Establishment of the Guardians of Justice and
Celebrating the Black Nine
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Black Nine were nine courageous Black officers of
the Richmond Police Department who, in 1968, filed the
first internal lawsuit in a police department in the United States to challenge racial discrimination. Their legal
victory in 1972 not only led to improved treatment of
Black officers in Richmond but also inspired the creation of advocacy groups for Black officers across the country.
Following their victory, they founded the Guardians of
Justice, which remains active today in fighting injustice and supporting underprivileged communities.
This presentation and proclamation honors and
celebrates the contributions to racial justice and equity made by these officers and the officers who followed in their footsteps in the City of Richmond.
AGENDA
REPORT
February 25, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a presentation from The Guardians of Justice
on the history and contributions of the officers from the Black Nine towards advancing civil rights and police
accountability, and PROCLAMATIONS recognizing the
members of the Black Nine - Arthur Johnson, Douglas
Ellison, Harold Redic, Marvin Smith, Michael Nichols,
Ollie Glover, Otis Timmons, Rudolph Johnson, and
Tecumseh "Danny" Nelson - Councilmembers Soheila
Bana (510-672-3490), Doria Robinson (510-620-6568),
and Jamelia Brown (510-412-2050).
DISCUSSION:
In 1968, the Black Nine filed a lawsuit against the Richmond Police Department (RPD) to challenge racial discrimination in hiring, assignments, and promotions. Despite the risks of retaliation, the Black Nine persisted in their fight for justice. Their courage was fueled by the 1968 Richmond uprisings following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., where they witnessed widespread racial profiling, unlawful detention, and police misconduct, particularly in Black neighborhoods like Parchester Village.
The Black Nine include:
Arthur Johnson
Douglas Ellison
Harold Redic
Marvin Smith
Michael Nichols
Ollie Glover
Otis Timmons
Rudolph Johnson
Tecumseh "Danny" Nelson
Following their legal victory in 1972, the Black Nine founded the Guardians of Justice (Black Police Officers’ Association), an organization dedicated to fighting injustice and supporting underprivileged communities. The Guardians of Justice continue to be a voice for equity in law enforcement and serve as a bridge between the Richmond Police Department and the community.
The legacy of change remains especially today, with the Richmond Police Department Chief of Police, Bisa French. Chief French, a member of the Guardians of Justice, exemplifies the progress made within the RPD, and her leadership is reflective of the systemic change that the Black Nine inspired.
This proclamation celebrates the contribution to racial justice made by those officers and the officers who follow in their footsteps in the City of Richmond.
February 25, 2025
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Presentation from the Guardians of Justice Attachment 2 – Proclamations for the Black Nine (Arthur Johnson, Douglas Ellison, Harold Redic, Marvin Smith, Michael Nichols, Ollie Glover, Otis Timmons, Rudolph Johnson and Tecumseh "Danny" Nelson)
Attachment 3 – Black Nine/Guardians of Justice History [Excerpts from the autobiography of former Alameda County Judge Henry Ramsey Jr., The Life Story of Henry Ramsey Jr: An Autobiography (Self-published, 2008)]