Protests erupt in California over shelved compensation bill
Janelle King, co-chair of Win for America Action, spoke about the Kamala Harris campaign's efforts to garner endorsements from labor leaders, Democrats' efforts to defend Harris' “change in tone,” and protests in California over a shelved reparations bill.
Two bills addressing reparations for descendants of enslaved black Americans: California State Assembly Last week they conceded defeat, but their supporters say they won't go down without a fight.
The two Democratic-led reparations bills were seen as key components of an ambitious effort by some lawmakers to pass legislation aimed at making amends for the legacy of racist policies that led to inequalities for Black people in everything from housing to education to health. Democratic State Senator Steven Bradford In the case of Inglewood, Senate Bill 1331 would establish a new state fund for reparations, and Senate Bill 1403 would create a state agency to oversee these efforts and determine who is eligible for reparations.
After hours of heated debate and protests last week, Democratic state legislators and the California Legislative Black Caucus They chose to proceed without the bill. Democrat-Led California State Legislature A series of bills aimed at redressing past racial discrimination have been passed, but none of them provide direct payments to African Americans.
Black Californians warn Newsom of 'direct impact' on Harris after Democrats kill slave reparations bill
Members of the Coalition for a Fair and Equitable California protested at the Rotunda on the last day of the legislative year in Sacramento, California, on Saturday, August 31, 2024, to demand that lawmakers vote on two reparations bills. (AP Photo/Tran Nguyen)
But reparations advocates are vowing revenge. CalMatters reportedSome are reportedly considering recalling members of the Legislative Black Caucus and other state Democrats who blocked the bill's passage.
According to CalMatters, “They plan to attend town hall meetings in some of the legislative districts, and at least one group has filed an ethics complaint against the caucus with the Special Committee on Legislative Ethics. The complaint alleges corruption and improper influence influenced the bill's fate.”
“There's a political price to pay,” Chris Lodgeson, who has worked with state lawmakers on reparations since 2019, told the nonprofit news outlet.
“This hurts in a different way because what we've witnessed is our own people stopping our own people. That's a different shock,” he said.
California Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Lori Wilson said Saturday that the Black Caucus has withdrawn the bill, adding that the proposal needs more work.
“We knew from the beginning it was going to be an uphill battle … and we knew from the beginning that it was going to be a multi-year effort,” Wilson told reporters.
Protests erupt at California Capitol after two reparations bills are shelved
Protests broke out outside the Diet building on Saturday as pro-reparations advocates demanded that lawmakers be held accountable for delaying the bill.
A person wears a reparations rally hat during a rally calling for reparations at African Burial Grounds National Monument on July 23, 2021. (Getty Images)
“Such betrayal cannot go unchecked,” the California Coalition for a Fair and Equitable State said. I wrote it to X. “There is a political price to pay. The days are over when politicians of any race or party can disrespect Black Americans and expect political results. We are not captives. We do not belong to any political party or special interest group. We are the living embodiment of our ancestors who built this state and this country for over 400 years and deserve reparations. We are coming… no… we are here to get our checks and more.”
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The California Legislative Black Caucus did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Fox News' Bradford Bentz contributed to this report.
