Juneteenth National Independence Day, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.
© ALEX HICKS JR./SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) — Thursday (September 12, 2024) afternoon, the New York City Council passed a package of bills that would study the impact of slavery and could lead to reparations. The legislation would have a committee establish facts about slavery in New York City and its ongoing legacies, affected persons and communities.
It would also study the historical and present-day role of New York City government related to slavery and racial injustices and consider reparative measures. That could include monetary payments, medical care and legal services. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams supports the measure. and Mayor Adams has said he supports the legislation, though he has not responded to questions about whether he’ll sign it.
Some critics say they would like to focus more on equal opportunity efforts as opposed to reparations.
