What National Leaders are Saying About Exoneration
"Future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall represented the 'Port Chicago 50' in their appeal of their courts-martial convictions, writing that, “justice can only be done in this case by a complete reversal of findings.” With this action, we are answering that call.
After conducting a careful and deliberative review, the U.S. Navy has determined that the courts-martials for all 258 Black Sailors were fundamentally unfair, plagued by legal errors, and tainted by racial discrimination. Today’s announcement marks the end of a long and arduous journey for these Black Sailors and their families, who fought for a nation that denied them equal justice under law. May we all remember their courage, sacrifice, and service to our Nation."
After conducting a careful and deliberative review, the U.S. Navy has determined that the courts-martials for all 258 Black Sailors were fundamentally unfair, plagued by legal errors, and tainted by racial discrimination. Today’s announcement marks the end of a long and arduous journey for these Black Sailors and their families, who fought for a nation that denied them equal justice under law. May we all remember their courage, sacrifice, and service to our Nation."
President Joe Biden
Former President of the United States
"Today's action has righted an historic wrong. These Sailors pushed our nation toward dignity, respect, and equality for all."
Vice President Kamala Harris
Former Vice President
"I am deeply grateful for all the people of conscience in the U.S. Navy who have worked diligently to make this day possible, and to the advocates and family members who have pushed hard for so many decades to remedy this injustice.
We honor the memory of the 320 dedicated Americans who lost their lives in the Port Chicago explosion, and we honor the service of the 258 brave Americans who refused afterward to bend to racist and cruel treatment. The Department of Defense must always ensure that our Service members, our military families, and our civilian employees are treated with fairness and dignity, especially within our military justice systems."
We honor the memory of the 320 dedicated Americans who lost their lives in the Port Chicago explosion, and we honor the service of the 258 brave Americans who refused afterward to bend to racist and cruel treatment. The Department of Defense must always ensure that our Service members, our military families, and our civilian employees are treated with fairness and dignity, especially within our military justice systems."
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Former Secretary of Defense
"This action is about more than correcting the historical record. It is a resounding affirmation of the values we, as Americans, hold dear—justice, equality, and the right to a safe workplace.
The legacy of the Port Chicago Sailors should inspire us all to be more vigilant, to speak truth to power, and to never give up on the pursuit of liberty and justice.
The Port Chicago 50, and the hundreds who stood with them, may not be with us today, but their story lives on, a testament to the enduring power of courage and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
They stand as a beacon of hope, forever reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the fight for what's right can and will prevail."
The legacy of the Port Chicago Sailors should inspire us all to be more vigilant, to speak truth to power, and to never give up on the pursuit of liberty and justice.
The Port Chicago 50, and the hundreds who stood with them, may not be with us today, but their story lives on, a testament to the enduring power of courage and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
They stand as a beacon of hope, forever reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the fight for what's right can and will prevail."
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro
Former Navy Secretary
"I'm very proud that the Navy finally got to the right place. It took far too long, but I am so blessed, motivated, and inspired by the example [advocates] have set of what Americans can do when they set their minds to it. You kept at it, you never gave up faith... and we finally heard you."
General Counsel of the Department of the Navy
John P. ("Sean") Coffey
Former Navy General Counsel
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that ‘the arc of The Moral Universe is long but it bends towards justice,’ and today’s action by President Biden and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro at long last corrects a grievous historical wrong.
I salute colleagues in Congress, state and local government and many others, especially Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, for persisting in this long battle to clear the names of the Port Chicago 50. Special recognition is also due to Rev. Diana McDaniel of the Friends of Port Chicago, Thurgood Marshall, Jr., and the late historian Robert Allen, who have played crucial roles in telling the Port Chicago story and in demanding justice.”
I salute colleagues in Congress, state and local government and many others, especially Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, for persisting in this long battle to clear the names of the Port Chicago 50. Special recognition is also due to Rev. Diana McDaniel of the Friends of Port Chicago, Thurgood Marshall, Jr., and the late historian Robert Allen, who have played crucial roles in telling the Port Chicago story and in demanding justice.”
Congressman George Miller
Former U.S. Representative
"Today our nation stands one step closer to fulfilling its founding promise of equality and justice for all...
Now, eighty years later, the families of the Port Chicago 50, convicted for mutinying against an order that should never have been given, finally have closure. Their full exoneration brings a sense of justice that has been long overdue. As Port Chicago’s Congressman, I am proud to stand with the families of these servicemen and my colleagues, Representatives Mark DeSaulnier and Barbara Lee, in celebrating this historic moment."
Now, eighty years later, the families of the Port Chicago 50, convicted for mutinying against an order that should never have been given, finally have closure. Their full exoneration brings a sense of justice that has been long overdue. As Port Chicago’s Congressman, I am proud to stand with the families of these servicemen and my colleagues, Representatives Mark DeSaulnier and Barbara Lee, in celebrating this historic moment."
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
U.S. Representative
"This is a monumental day for justice and for the families of the Port Chicago 50.
I appreciate President Biden and the Secretary of the Navy taking this crucial action to exonerate these courageous men who were unjustly court-martialed by the Navy following the explosion at Port Chicago."
I appreciate President Biden and the Secretary of the Navy taking this crucial action to exonerate these courageous men who were unjustly court-martialed by the Navy following the explosion at Port Chicago."
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Former U.S. Representative
"When I learned of the exoneration I burst into tears, this has been a long-time coming. It is so sad that Robert Allen and the PC 50 and the sailors who were penalized are not with us to celebrate. I am so grateful to the Biden administration, to the Secretary of the Navy, to our Champions Rep. DeSaulnier and former Congressman George Miller. So many people have worked on this - a major wrong has been righted."
Rev. Diana McDaniel
President, Friends of Port Chicago
"Today's action by the Navy cements the legacy of the Port Chicago 50 as catalysts for the modern civil rights movement.
This has been an 80-year cry for justice, and our Task Force's work to shine a light on this injustice that occurred in our own backyard illustrates the power of the legal community to redress injustice."
This has been an 80-year cry for justice, and our Task Force's work to shine a light on this injustice that occurred in our own backyard illustrates the power of the legal community to redress injustice."
Jonathan Lee
Chair, Port Chicago Task Force