Dec 23, 2024 Story by: Editor
Residents of Southeast Queens came together for a historic public forum focused on a pressing and complex issue – reparations.
The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies hosted its first public hearing in New York City. The event took place at Rochdale Village, where attendees watched as the commission appointed members, formed workgroups, and provided an overview of the history of slavery and redlining in New York. A public forum followed, allowing guests to voice their hopes, concerns, and opinions about reparations in New York.
The commission, which has been holding similar forums and workshops across the state, is expected to present a report to Governor Kathy Hochul early next year. This report will include recommendations on addressing historical inequalities among Black New Yorkers. While it may take time before the commission’s efforts lead to tangible outcomes, the forums currently serve as an important platform for public discussions on reparations, a conversation that has not previously been prioritized at the state government level.
Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, who sponsored the bill that created the commission, spoke briefly before the public comment session. She expressed optimism about the commission’s future report.
“A year and a half ago this was a dream, this was a conversation, this was a fight amongst legislators to see whether or not we should implement a commission on legislation,” Solages shared with the audience. “The legislative process is not easy, but if you know how to work it you can get things done. The work is ours.”
The nine-member commission includes representatives from organizations such as the NAACP, the Civil Service Commission, the Urban League of Rochester, and other groups. It was established after Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation in late 2023.
Several advocates and community leaders spoke at the forum in Queens, expressing their support for the commission. Among them was New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who emphasized that “it’s time” for reparations.
“This is such an important subject matter. It is so important that it has taken us generations to wrap our minds around,” Adams remarked. “I tell you I am so grateful for our New York State elected officials who got this one right.”
Members of the public also addressed a variety of issues during the forum, including the mass incarceration of Black and brown individuals, the need for greater investment in legal representation for civil rights cases, equitable access to healthcare and reproductive care, and, of course, financial reparations, which received an enthusiastic response and applause from the crowd. Source: Queens Eagle
