Gavin Newsom signs California apology for slavery and discrimination

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September 26, 2024

By Lindsey Holden, Politico

Newsom also signed a handful of bills developed using recommendations from the state’s reparations task force.

Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, speaks about a package of reparations legislation at a press conference at the state Capitol on Feb. 21, 2024. (Sophie Austin/AP)

SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed an official apology for harms caused by slavery and hundreds of years of discrimination against Black Californians.

“Healing can only begin with an apology,” said Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who authored the apology bill, in a statement. “The state of California acknowledges its past actions and is taking this bold step to correct them, recognizing its role in hindering the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for Black individuals through racially motivated punitive laws.”

Read the full article here.

California has been at the forefront of the movement for reparations.

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