City Council Approves Study For Reparations, Creates Task Force

The New York City Council on Thursday passed several bills to examine the city’s historical role in slavery and systemic racial injustices.  The Council approved the creation of the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE), which will study the ongoing impacts of slavery in the city and recommend changes to prevent future harm. The bill, co-sponsored by Brooklyn Council Member Crystal Hudson and Queens Council Member Nantasha Williams, asks the commission to organize public meetings and issue a report in about two years.  Their work would be coordinated with the New York State Community Comission on Reparation Remedies.  City Council Member Farah Louis. Photo: Kaya Laterman for BK Reader The Council also approved to establish a reparations task force, which will investigate the city’s role in perpetuating slavery and racial injustices and suggest reparative actions, including monetary compensation or symbolic gestures like public apologies. This bill, co-sponsored by Brooklyn Council Member Farah Louis and Williams, would study and propose eligibility criteria for receiving reparations.  “The legacy of slavery and systemic racism has impacted all facets of our society today, and it’s important that our city recognizes and takes steps to redress these longstanding harms,” said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams in...