In the final hours of the legislative session, a last-minute protest failed to push two key bills on reparations for African American descendants of enslaved people through the Assembly. Despite other bills in a reparations package passing, Senator Steven Bradford couldn’t get his ambitious bills to the floor for a vote. The bills would have created a new agency and fund to implement reparations policies. The efforts faced opposition, including proposed changes from Governor Newsom, who has been lukewarm towards cash payments for reparations.
Advocates and members of the Black Caucus involved in the legislative process have expressed frustration and disagreement over the bills’ fate. The bills are now set to be reintroduced next year as part of a multi-year effort to secure reparations for Black Californians. Protests at the Capitol and advocacy efforts continue to push for the bills to progress. The complex and challenging process of passing reparations measures is highlighted by the resistance faced in moving these bills forward despite the historic efforts to address the legacy of slavery in California.
Members of the community and organizers are demanding action and accountability from lawmakers to advance the reparations package. The debate and discussions around reparations in California reflect broader conversations about racial justice and equity, as advocates continue to push for meaningful and impactful legislation to address historical injustices.
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