The Los Angeles City Council has officially designated a downtown street intersection to honor the memory of Willis Tyler, an early civil rights activist and attorney known for his remarkable contributions to racial justice. This decision was made with overwhelming support, receiving a unanimous 10-0 vote from the council members. Notable absences include Kevin de Leon, Tim McOsker, Curren Price, Nithya Raman, and Monica Rodriguez. The motion itself was initially introduced by de Leon back in August.
Willis Tyler was born in Bloomington, Illinois, in July 1880 and sadly passed away in June 1949 within the city he fought so tirelessly for. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his aunt, a prominent figure in the Bloomington Underground Railroad station, who played a significant role in his upbringing.
At just 16 years old, Tyler began his academic journey at Indiana University, where he spent two years furthering his education. In 1898, he enlisted in the Indiana Colored Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish American War in support of Cuba’s independence.
Tyler later went on to achieve great academic success, graduating from Harvard Law School in 1907 with the highest honors ever bestowed upon a Black student. He eventually relocated to Los Angeles, where he became actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement and worked closely alongside the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Throughout his career, Tyler took on several groundbreaking civil rights cases, most notably his triumph in the Title Guaranty v. Garrott case in 1919.
The case centered around H.L. Garrott, an African American police officer who had purchased a home for his family in South Los Angeles. However, a deed attached to the property explicitly forbade the sale of it to anyone of African, Chinese, or Japanese descent. When the title company discovered Garrott’s ownership, they took legal action to force him to surrender the property without any compensation.
Representing Garrott, Tyler argued that the racially restrictive covenant violated the 14th amendment’s due process clause. He emphasized that the covenant must be deemed invalid as it conflicted with an individual’s fundamental right to transfer their property as they see fit, in line with the motion.
In another notable case, Tyler provided legal representation for Willa and Charles Bruce, the founders of Bruce’s Beach. They sought to prevent the racially motivated eminent domain seizure of their property by the city of Manhattan Beach.
Councilman de Leon’s motion decrees that the downtown intersection of Spring and Second Street be officially named “Willis O. Tyler Square” to pay tribute to the esteemed attorney. It’s worth mentioning that Tyler’s law office was situated at 224 S. Spring Street. The Department of Transportation will handle the creation and placement of the signage to mark this significant dedication.
Overall, this decision reflects the City Council’s recognition of Willis Tyler’s immense contributions to the advancement of racial justice and equality, ensuring his legacy lives on for generations to come.
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