AB 3089 would also place a plaque at the Capitol memorializing the apology
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A bill that would issue a formal apology by the state for human rights violations and crimes against humanity on African slaves and their descendants was passed by the Assembly in a final 72-0 vote on Thursday, moving the bill up to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Assembly Bill 3089, authored by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), would provide that the State of California recognizes and accepts responsibility for all of the harms and atrocities committed by the state, and entities under its jurisdiction who promoted, facilitated, enforced, and permitted the institution of chattel slavery and the enduring legacy of ongoing incidents from which the systemic structures of discrimination have come to exist. In addition, AB 3089 would further provide that the State of California apologize for perpetuating the harms African Americans have faced and affirms its role in protecting the descendants of enslaved people and all Black Californians. The bill would also require a plaque memorializing this apology to be publicly and conspicuously installed and maintained in the State Capitol Building.
Assemblyman Jones-Sawyer authored the bill as one of fourteen reparations related bills earlier this year. As giving out direct cash payments isn’t an option because of a severe lack of popularity in the Legislature, in the Governor’s office, and amongst residents for them, legislators working on creating bills based on the recommendations of the California Reparations Task Force had to find non-monetary options. Also pressing is the state’s $73 billion deficit, leaving little room for anything costing too much. AB 3089, consisting of a simple apology and a plaque to be placed in the Capitol, proved to be one of the most benign and least expensive options for legislators.
While many of the 14 reparations bills are not expected to pass, AB 3089 managed to gain steam earlier this year because of the symbolism of such an action. In two Assembly Committee meetings this year, AB 3089 passed both with 0 nay votes, but with many Assemblymembers simply choosing not to vote as well because of the controversial nature of the reparations bills as a whole. The pre-amendment AB 3089 passed the Assembly with a 62-0 vote in May with nearly a quarter of the Assembly also not voting on the bill as protest. Minor amendments were made during the summer, mostly pertaining to the plaque, were added in, necessitating an additional Assembly vote in August.
“AB 3089 represents the first effort to heal and accept the wrongs of our state’s past,” said Jones-Sawyer earlier this year. “Knowing that laws aimed at suppressing the economic, academic, civil, and human rights of a specific community were purposeful, and effective, we can now work to ensure equitable measurers are put forth to quash the effects of those former laws.”
What the plaque should say: Sorry about your ancestors by our democrat ancestors.
FUNNY – CA was a FREE STATE!! That means – there WERE NO SLAVES HERE!!!! DUH!!!!
Have you people NEVER went to school – or did ya just NOT listen??? IDIOTS!!!!!!