Commission holds historic discussion on reparations in Queens
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The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies held its first public hearing on July 30, 2024, in the State Capitol. They held their first public hearing in New York City on Dec. 16, 2024.Photo courtesy of NYSCCRR
By Noah Powelson
Residents of Southeast Queens gathered this week for a historic public forum tackling a complex issue – reparations.
The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies held their first public hearing in New York City on Monday evening. Taking place in the Rochdale Village, attendees observed the commission fill membership roles, participate in workgroups, and receive an abridged history of slavery and redlining in New York. A public forum was held immediately afterwards for guests to discuss their hopes for the commission and reparations in New York, as well as their skepticisms.
The commission has been touring New York State holding similar forums and workshops. Currently, the commission is expected to present a report to Governor Kathy Hochul early next year with recommendations on addressing historic disparities among Black New Yorkers. It will likely be a long time before the commission’s work presents tangible results, but the commissions’ public forums currently provide space for a discourse on reparations never before seen in state government.
Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, who sponsored the bill creating the commission, provided brief remarks before public comment, expressing her optimism for 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 told the crowd. “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-person commission is composed of members from the NAACP, the Civil Service Commission, the Urban League of Rochester, and a variety of other organizations. The commission was created after legislation was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in late 2023.
A variety of advocates and community leaders took to the microphone in Queens on Monday to express optimism for the commission, including New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who said “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 mind around,” Adams said. “I tell you I am so grateful for our New York State elected officials who got this one right.”
Members of the public spoke on a variety of topics, including addressing the mass incarceration of Black and brown people, investing in legal representation for civil rights cases, equitable access to healthcare and reproductive care, and many other topics, including financial reparations, which prompted applause from the crowd.
