Black Politics Now
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Black Politics Now
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
No Result
View All Result
Black Politics Now
No Result
View All Result

Conservative activists target reparations, advocates ready to push back

Black Politics Now by Black Politics Now
February 11, 2025
in Policy
0
Conservative activists target reparations, advocates ready to push back
74
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A Black Lives Matter sign is displayed near the intersection of Emerson Street and Dodge Avenue in Evanston, Illinois, on March 19, 2021. Photo by Eileen Meslar/Reuters/File

You might also like

Tulsa Mayor unveils $105 Million ‘Road to Repair’ package to address legacy of 1921 race massacre

House Reconciliation Bill’s potential disproportionate impact on Black households

Federal judge rules Trump administration exceeded authority in attempt to dismantle US Institute of Peace

June 16, 2024 Story by: Editor

A conservative group has filed a lawsuit against Evanston, Illinois’ reparations program, sparking concern among advocates that this may signal a wave of attacks on efforts to address the historical injustices faced by Black Americans.

The complaint, initiated by Judicial Watch, challenges the constitutionality of Evanston’s program, claiming it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by using race as a criterion for eligibility. This mirrors the legal tactics often used by conservative activists, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in college admissions.

As Juneteenth approaches, marking the end of slavery in the US, reparations advocates are bracing for more legal challenges. Nevertheless, they remain committed to addressing the long-standing effects of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism.

The Evanston program, which started in 2019, offers Black residents who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969, and their descendants, up to $25,000 in housing assistance. Robin Rue Simmons, chair of the Evanston Reparations Committee, emphasized the city’s readiness to defend the program, describing the lawsuit as an attack on the broader reparations movement and efforts toward racial equity and civil rights.

Judicial Watch’s lawsuit was filed on behalf of six individuals whose ancestors lived in Evanston during the covered period but do not identify as Black. The lawsuit argues that the program uses race as a proxy for experiencing discrimination without requiring specific evidence of such harm.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton condemned the program as a “brazen violation of the constitution and federal law,” asserting that benefits based on race are generally disfavored by courts.

Evanston officials have stated they will “vehemently defend” the reparations program. Justin Hansford of the National African American Reparations Commission countered Judicial Watch’s claims, highlighting that the targeted community historically faced racial discrimination and should thus receive justice.

Fitton indicated that more lawsuits against similar programs might follow. This legal challenge comes as various states and cities establish commissions to explore reparations distribution and eligibility.

The momentum for reparations and the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday gained traction after George Floyd’s murder in 2020. However, four years later, reparations efforts face significant hurdles, exacerbated by the Supreme Court’s stance on affirmative action.

Recently, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit seeking compensation for survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and a federal appeals court blocked the Fearless Fund from awarding grants exclusively to Black women entrepreneurs.

Some reparations advocates are adopting more race-neutral approaches to avoid legal battles. Kamilah Moore, chair of California’s Reparations Task Force, mentioned their commission’s recommendation for a “lineage-based” approach, requiring proof of ancestors’ enslavement or free status before 1900. Moore believes this approach is constitutionally sound but acknowledges potential challenges.

California’s task force has also proposed reparations based on harms from housing segregation, mass incarceration, over-policing, devaluation of Black businesses, and health disparities. These recommendations await legislative approval.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill to establish a reparations commission to study the impacts of slavery and propose measures to address long-standing inequities. Jennifer Jones Austin, a commission member, advocates for a holistic approach, including individual payments, community investments, and legal reforms.

Jones Austin expressed concern about legal challenges but is confident in the commission’s legal compliance. Areva Martin, a civil rights lawyer and reparations advocate, sees the lawsuit against Evanston as part of a broader, calculated effort by conservatives emboldened by recent judicial decisions. She urges resilience and continued advocacy.
Justin Hansford views the Evanston lawsuit as a rallying call for supporters of reparations, emphasizing the movement’s growing significance. Source: CNN

Share30Tweet19
Black Politics Now

Black Politics Now

Recommended For You

Tulsa Mayor unveils $105 Million ‘Road to Repair’ package to address legacy of 1921 race massacre

by Black Politics Now
June 11, 2025
0
Tulsa Mayor unveils $105 Million ‘Road to Repair’ package to address legacy of 1921 race massacre

On the 104th anniversary of one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in American history, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols—the city's first Black mayor—announced a sweeping $105...

Read moreDetails

House Reconciliation Bill’s potential disproportionate impact on Black households

by Black Politics Now
May 29, 2025
0
House passes bill limiting federal judges’ nationwide injuctions

The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a sweeping reconciliation package that has drawn sharp criticism from Congressional Black Caucus House members.

Read moreDetails

Federal judge rules Trump administration exceeded authority in attempt to dismantle US Institute of Peace

by Black Politics Now
May 22, 2025
0
6000.jpg

In a significant legal rebuke, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled on Monday that the Trump administration overstepped its authority in attempting to dismantle the U.S. Institute...

Read moreDetails

Trump administration budget proposes $163 billion in cuts to ‘woke’ federal programs

by Black Politics Now
May 3, 2025
0
white house

In a sweeping move to reshape federal spending, the Trump administration has unveiled a fiscal year 2026 budget proposal that seeks to eliminate or significantly reduce funding for...

Read moreDetails

Trump moves to repeal disparate impact liability

by Black Politics Now
April 28, 2025
0
white house

President Trump has taken steps to nullify a key component of the Civil Rights Act as he works to remove policies from the federal government.  One of the executive...

Read moreDetails
Next Post
South Africa election 2024: Outcome awaited amid ANC’s decline

South Africa election 2024: Outcome awaited amid ANC's decline

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Related News

a healthcare worker measuring her own blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer

Caregiving stress linked to high blood pressure in younger Black women

January 14, 2025
Image Source: Booker

Who Funds Cory Booker

December 18, 2024
Tampa Bay-area residents say congressional maps ‘dilute’ power of Black voters

Tampa Bay-area residents say congressional maps ‘dilute’ power of Black voters

October 8, 2024
Black Politics Now

Get informed on African American politics with "Black Politics Now," your ultimate source for political engagement.

CATEGORIES

  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Congressional Black Caucus
  • Criminal Justice
  • Data
  • Department of Justice
  • Diversity Initiatives
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Enviroment
  • Equity
  • Hate Crimes
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Investigations
  • Legal Defense Fund
  • NAACP
  • Policy
  • Real Estate
  • Reparations
  • Research
  • Sports
  • State Issues
  • Study
  • Supreme Court
  • Technology
  • Voter Rights
  • World

Quick Link

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of service
  • Contact us

Download Our App

© 2024 Black Politics Now | All Right Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
wpChatIcon
wpChatIcon
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
SUBSCRIBE

© 2024 Black Politics Now | All Right Reserved

Join the Movement, Subscribe Now!(Don't worry, we'll never spam you!)

Don’t miss a beat—get the latest news, inspiring stories, and in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to the Black community. Be part of the conversation and stay connected.

Enter your email address