In May 1927, the City of Manhattan Beach entered into a sham lease that privatized the local beachfront from the Pier to the
north. “No Trespassing” signs were installed, but only enforced against Black beachgoers. Following a series of arrests and harassment by City Officials, NAACP Los Angeles Chapter President, Dr. H.C. Hudson along with John McCaskill, J.H. Conley and Romalious Johnson staged an act of civil disobedience when they refused to leave the beach when confronted
by police officers. During their trial it was revealed that the private beachfront was aimed at Black visitors only and therefore illegal. With Hugh Macbeth as their lawyer, the men appealed and the charges were dropped. The beach was again open, setting a precedent banning privatization of the beach. California Eagle, Friday, August 19, 1927.