New York City council passes bill establishing reparations study

New York City is one step closer to conducting its own study into the effects of slavery and possible reparations after the city council passed legislation on Thursday. In recent years, various cities and states have approved task forces to examine the history of slavery in their jurisdiction in the past and potentially recommend reparations for descendants of slaves. The series of bills are designed to “acknowledge and address the legacy and impact of slavery and racial injustices in New York City” according to the city council. Democratic City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said in a statement Thursday that “it’s important that our city recognizes and takes steps to redress” past slavery and racism. “By creating new processes to fully examine the present-day impacts of injustices inflicted on Black New Yorkers and communities, we are advancing necessary efforts to consider potential remedies that can lead to healing and reconciliation,” Adams said. The Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation process, which would be established by the legislation, would recommend changes to the city government to “prevent the perpetuation and recurrence of injustices from the legacy of slavery.” Reparations would also be considered, dependent on the study’s findings, if signed into law by Mayor...