Have fun, New York City!
The city council passed two bills that created a reparation task force to investigate and determine measures to rectify the city’s slavery history.
From the legislation (emphasis mine):
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to studying the impacts of slavery and its legacies in New York city and recommending potential reparative measures for resulting harms.This bill would require the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) to work with subject experts to study the historical and present-day role of New York City government in perpetrating or perpetuating slavery and related racial injustices, and to consider reparative measures for such injustices. The reparations study would document the harms of slavery and its legacies in the City, identify associated rights violations, and recommend potential legal, policy and other measures to help remedy or redress associated harms. City agencies would be required to cooperate with any related special inquiries by CORE. Recommended measures may include monetary or non-monetary reparations, including symbolic measures such as public apologies or memorials. The study would also propose eligibility criteria for receiving reparations, and would coordinate with the New York State community commission on reparations remedies and the City’s process for Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation required by Int. 242-A.
The bill sets aside $1.5 million for the task force of nine members.
The legislation passed 41-9 before the full council.
Mayor Eric Adams and the Speaker will choose the task force:
“New York City has a moral obligation to confront its historical role in the institution of slavery, including harms and long-lasting consequences,” a City Hall spokesperson told The Post.“This is another crucial step towards addressing systemic inequities, fostering reconciliation, and creating a more just and equitable future for all New Yorkers.”Mayor Adams is supportive of it, sources said.
Robert Holden, who represents Queens, spoke out against it, calling it a “Pandora’s Box.”
“Taxpayers have had enough of being nickeled and dimed at every turn,” said Holden.
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