To: Honorable Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State

We the undersigned call upon you to truly address the call for reparations for Descendants of Persons enslaved in the United States, American Freedmen. We strongly advise you to veto New York State bill #S1163/A706: “An act to acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the City of New York and the State of New York; to establish the New York State community commission on reparations remedies.”

The issue lies primarily with the community of eligibility as outlined in the present bill. It is crucial to specify and address these concerns, ensuring that lineage-based reparations act as the determining factor for eligibility within the bill prior to your signature. We strongly urge that you veto both reparations bills, #S1163/A706, if the Community of Eligibility for American Descendants of Persons Enslaved in the US is not included. This approach would ensure that reparations are provided to those who directly experienced harm due to slavery and its enduring effects.

One of the central tenets of our Constitution is the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal treatment under the law. The current community of eligibility raises constitutional concerns under Title VI Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Race-based policies, by their nature, violate this principle by categorizing individuals solely based on their race or ethnicity. Therefore, it is essential to advocate for lineage-based reparations, aligning with constitutional principles while providing redress to those who have suffered from historical injustices.

We advocate for Assemblymember Nikki Lucas' American Freedmen bill A7828A. This bill not only prioritizes lineage-based reparations for American Freedmen but also allots proper time for the extensive research and reporting required on New York State’s involvement in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, legalized discrimination post-slavery, and remedial proposals.

Moreover, bill #A7828A recommends the formation of a New York State Freedmen Office to manage all Freedmen affairs, including reparations programs, ensuring a comprehensive and well-organized approach to addressing these historical injustices.

While the historical scars of slavery are frequently invoked in discussions about racism to justify broader community programs, the unique challenges faced by American Freedmen and their descendants often remain in the shadows. We must transition from referencing their suffering to actively centering them in actionable policies that directly enhance their material lives.

We have one chance to get reparations right. Governor Hochul, be a beacon for transformative change for American Freedmen, and stand with us on the right side of history by supporting bill #A7828A. Let our state lead the nation in making true, well-funded, and timely reparations a reality.