BROOKLYN — TWO BROOKLYN CITY COUNCILMEMBERS, FARAH LOUIS AND CRYSTAL HUDSON, who, together represent a large swath of the borough, have spearheaded bills pushing for reparations for slavery in the education system. The new laws will establish a Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation process to examine the impact of slavery in the city, create a reparations study, and consider a “freedom trail” commemorating abolitionist sites, according to a press release from the city council.
The package of legislation, which City Council passed on Thursday, would establish a Truth, Healing and Reconciliation process on slavery within New York City (which had one of the highest rates of slave ownership in the country in the 1700s), a reparations study, informational signs at the City’s first slave market, and a taskforce to consider the creation of a “freedom trail” commemorating abolitionist movement and Underground Railroad sites.
Councilmembers Hudson and Louis, between them, represent East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, Midwood, Prospect Park, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and parts of Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights in total. All of the Republican City Councilmembers voted against the package, as did a couple Democrats. One member was absent and the other was on parental leave.
Speaker Adrienne Adams emphasized the need to address the lasting impacts of systemic racism and promote healing. The legislation complements efforts by the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies.
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