To apologize for enslavement and following prejudice, activists requested on Saturday that the state of California give thousands of dollars to every Black individual in reparations. They rejected the enormous suggestions made by California’s reparations task force as being too little.
The task panel was established by state legislation that was enacted by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020. The requirements were presented at a highly charged formal session of the task force. While deciding on the final suggestions to present to the California Legislature, which will ultimately choose either to execute the proposals or forward them to Newsom’s desk for being signed into law, the committee was considering public feedback.
Among the most vocal participants was an activist by the name of Reverend Tony Pierce, who when he placed the stage referred to the popular “40 acres and a mule” promise made to previous slaves.
“You are aware that the figures have to be similar to what an acre was then. Okay, 40 were given to us. 40 acres were provided to us.”