Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Supporting the New Jersey Senate Bill No. S386 and New Jersey Assembly Bill No. A938
Purpose: To support the New Jersey Senate Bill No. S386 and New Jersey Assembly Bill No. A938 establishing the “New Jersey Reparations Task Force Act”.
Sponsor: Council Member, John Sharpe James
Additional Information:
This Resolution supports the New Jersey Senate Bill No. S386 and New Jersey Assembly Bill No. A938 establishing the “New Jersey Reparations Task Force Act” to conduct research and develop proposals to address the generational harms caused by New Jersey’s role in America’s institution of slavery and its legacy of systemic racial discrimination.
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WHEREAS, on January 11, 2022, New Jersey State Senators Ronald L. Rice (District 28, Essex) and Senator Sandra B. Cunningham (District 31, Hudson) introduced New Jersey Senate Bill No. S386 and New Jersey Assembly Members, Verlina Reynold-Jackson (District 15, Hunterdon and Mercer), Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (District 35, Bergen and Passaic), and Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake (District 34, Essex and Passaic) introduced New Jersey Assembly Bill No. A938, collectively the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force Act", which seeks to conduct research and develop reparatory proposals and recommendations to address the generational harms caused by New Jersey’s role in America’s institution of slavery and its legacy of systemic racial discrimination; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey’s deep roots in American slavery and its vestiges have endured to the present day. A direct line can be traced from New Jersey’s role in American slavery to its system today of voter suppression, racial wealth disparities, mass incarceration, racial segregation, and crumbling infrastructure in Black communities in New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, the full effects of the institution and legacy of slavery on Black people and communities in New Jersey have not been sufficiently examined, nor have there been remedies for past injustice and present harm, or sufficient efforts at transformation; and
WHEREAS, as a result of historic and continued systemic racial discrimination, Black people in New Jersey confront some of the worst racial disparities in America; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey suffers from racialized voter disenfranchisement, denying the vote to over 100,000 people in prison, on parole, or on probation. According to State data, over half are Black, though Black people comprise just 15% of the State’s population. The racism of the criminal justice system is directly imported into the franchise.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. This Municipal Council of the City of Newark fully supports New Jersey Senate Bill No. S386 and New Jersey Assembly Bill No. A938, establishing the “New Jersey Reparations Task Force Act”, which seeks to conduct research and develop reparatory proposals and recommendations to address the generational harms caused by New Jersey’s role in America’s institution of slavery and its legacy of systemic racial discrimination.
2. A true copy of this Resolution of support shall be delivered to the State Legislature and the State Legislators representing the City of Newark, the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, as well as the aforementioned sponsors of New Jersey Senate Bill No. S386 and New Jersey Assembly Bill No. A938.
STATEMENT
This Resolution supports the New Jersey Senate Bill No. S386 and New Jersey Assembly Bill No. A938 establishing the “New Jersey Reparations Task Force Act” to conduct research and develop proposals to address the generational harms caused by New Jersey’s role in America’s institution of slavery and its legacy of systemic racial discrimination.