Sanders Historic Reparations Bill Signed Into Law

NEW YORK – In a momentous victory for advocates of racial justice, Governor Katchy Hochul last Tuesday signed into law the (S.1163-A/SANDERS Same as A.7691/Solages), a groundbreaking bill sponsored by Senator Sanders that establishes the “New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies.” The Commission will research the harm from slavery and after slavery, including racial discrimination, in New York and recommend remedies and reparations. This legislation marks a historic turning point for the City of New York and the State of New York and sets a powerful example for the nation to follow. Senator James Sanders Jr., Chair of the NY State Senate Select Majority Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, Chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, are both Chief Sponsors of the legislation. In 2020, California created a task force to study reparations. New York is the second state to study whether to issue reparations. Senator James Sanders offers remarks last Tuesday after his legislation was signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “This is a day that will be etched in the annals of our state’s history,” said Senator James Sanders, who...