California voters canceled a ballot initiative that would have banned forced labor as punishment for crimes in the state.
The bill, known as Proposition 6, would amend the state constitution to prohibit forced labor in all circumstances. The state constitution currently allows for exceptions to the forced labor ban when punishing crimes.
The measure was part of a growing movement among California's far-left Democratic Party that wants the state to atone for past racism against black residents. Activists had previously failed to pass a reparations bill in September.
Representatives for Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who sponsored the bill, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Nathan Hockman ousts embattled liberal Democratic prosecutor George Gascón in Los Angeles County amid crime concerns
Members of the California Coalition for Fairness and Equity held a protest demanding that lawmakers vote on two reparations bills in the Rotunda on Saturday, August 31, 2024, the last day of the legislative year in Sacramento, California. (AP Photo/Tran Nguyen)
Democratic Rep. Laurie Wilson, who helped push the voting bill, addressed the failure in a statement.
“While we are disappointed that voters did not approve our measure to remove slavery from the California Constitution, this setback does not mean the end of the fight,” Wilson said in a statement. “Together, we will continue to move forward to ensure our state constitution reflects the values of equality and freedom that all Californians deserve.”
California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters supported Proposition 6. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The bill's failure comes months after two reparations bills for descendants of enslaved black Americans failed to pass the House. california state legislature In early September.
author Democratic State Sen. Stephen Bradford In Englewood's case, Senate Bill 1331 would have created a new state fund for reparations, while Senate Bill 1403 would create a state agency to oversee these efforts and determine who is eligible. was to be established.
Pelosi praises CA bill that would give illegal immigrants money to buy homes: 'American Dream' 'more accessible to more people'
The measures are seen as key elements in an ambitious effort by some lawmakers to pass legislation that they say is a legacy of racist policies that have created disparities for black people in everything from housing to education to health. It had been.
The reparations bill died in the California Legislature over concerns that Gov. Gavin Newsom would veto the bill. (Tama Mario/Getty Images)
Bradford said the bill did not move forward due to concerns that Gov. Gavin Newsom would veto it.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We are at the finish line, and as a Black Caucus, we owe it to the descendants of chattel slavery, to Black Californians, to Black Americans, to move this bill forward,” Bradford said Saturday. In the afternoon, I urged my colleagues to reconsider. .
