Reparations Activist Expects No Compensation from New York Officials Amid Delays

<p>A reparations activist with the U.S. Freedmen Project stated that their group does not expect financial compensation from New York state officials following a delay in a significant study regarding reparations. Devine Prince, President of the U.S. Freedmen Project, expressed skepticism about the mainstream reparations movement, suggesting it aims to prolong the process until those owed reparations give up.</p><p>The U.S. Freedmen Project focuses on educating the public about the distinctions between African Americans who are descendants of enslaved people and recent immigrants from Africa or the Caribbean. Prince's remarks come after state leaders extended the timeline for the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies to issue its final report, pushing the deadline from 2027 to 2029, nearly four years beyond its original 2025 deadline.</p><p>The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) criticized this delay, with Chantelle Williams, assistant director of the NYCLU’s Racial Justice Center, questioning when Black New Yorkers would receive reparations. She emphasized that the impact of discrimination continues to affect Black communities across the state.</p><p>The nine-member state commission, established by legislation signed by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in late 2023, was tasked with examining New York's historical ties to slavery and discrimination, as well as economic disparities. The commission recently held public hearings, including a forum in Harlem titled "From Extraction to Repair: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap."</p><p>However, lawmakers decided to extend the commission's deadline, with Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages acknowledging that the extension was necessary to navigate a changing national legal landscape. The budget measure also included a provision to protect commissioners from personal legal liability related to their findings.</p><p>Lineage advocates from the U.S. Freedmen Project opposed both the delay and the commission's framework, arguing that reparations should be limited to direct descendants of enslaved individuals in the U.S. They contend that including recent Black immigrants undermines the distinct claims of descendant Black Americans.</p><p>Prince criticized the commission's members, suggesting they were appointed to maintain the status quo rather than achieve meaningful results. He stated, "These are individuals that have been put in place to keep the status quo intact while pretending they're working to undo it."</p><p>Supporters of the Freedmen Project argue that any reparations bill based on race rather than direct lineage would violate the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. They urged state officials to adopt strict lineage-based criteria to minimize legal challenges.</p><p>New York is part of a broader trend among blue states and municipalities exploring reparative frameworks. For instance, Evanston, Illinois, became the first U.S. city to distribute reparations, offering $25,000 housing grants to eligible Black residents.</p><p>Despite public hearings and ongoing research, Prince expressed doubt that New York state would ever provide payments to descendants, stating, "Realistically, I'm expecting the same thing that I expected going into this: nothing." He noted that previous advocacy efforts and recommendations were ignored, leading him to believe the situation would remain unchanged.</p><p>New York officials did not respond to requests for comment.</p>