“Our nation, and New York, was built on the institution of chattel slavery. Its legacy continues to permeate our lives, furthering the racial, economic, and systemic inequities that impact Black New Yorkers. Institutional racism, discrimination, and detrimental policies that have persisted across multiple generations contribute to locking Black people out of equitable opportunities and a widening racial wealth gap, where white households have a median net worth 15 times higher than Black households. The harmful impacts on community health, access to economic opportunity, and educational outcomes have compounded over generations, leading to cycles of injustice. With the signing of historic legislation to create the New York State Community Commission on Reparation Remedies, New York is taking a major step towards acknowledging centuries of injustices that facilitate our ability to pursue solutions. While more work remains on every level of government to create a more just and equitable city, state, and nation for all people, today’s bill signing marks the start of a significant process to help make amends for historical and present-day injustices and usher in the future we deserve. I thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for their steadfast leadership, Senator Sanders and Assembly Member Solages for sponsoring this critical legislation, and Governor Hochul for signing it into law.”

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