California issues formal apology for slavery and passes reparations bills

Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media 

California Issues Formal Apology for State’s Role in Slavery

On Sept. 26, Gov. Gavin Newsom ratified an official apology from the State of California to Black Californians for the harm caused by slavery and centuries of discrimination that followed. The apology, issued in Assembly Bill (AB) 3089, authored by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) was approved by the Legislature last month.

Newsom was joined by members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) in Sacramento as he signed the apology and other reparations bills, regarding the legacy of racial discrimination statewide.