Reparations movement in California is plunged into chaos after San Francisco mayor abandons $4 million pledge – as New York becomes third state to launch task force to address state’s ‘painful legacy of slavery’

California's reparations movement faces an uncertain future after San Francisco's mayor scrapped plans for a special office to investigate the issue.

Mayor London Breed has quietly withdrawn $4 million in funding to create an Office of Reparations as she struggles to solve a massive budget deficit in the city. The decision sparked frustration among campaigners seeking cash payments of up to $5 million for the city's black residents.

The decision also comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom moved away from demands for cash payments — a radical policy recommended by its own Reparations Task Force, which published a landmark report in June recommending reparations worth about half a trillion dollars.

The governor was also expected to meet with members of the California Legislative Black Caucus in December to hear their proposals for reparations legislation, but it remains unclear whether any discussion took place.

Mayor Breed in December eliminated funding for an Office of Reparations as part of broader service cuts.

In a letter to department leaders, she said, “The cuts leave the city's basic services and priorities intact so we can continue to make progress in hiring police officers, expanding shelter beds, advancing behavioral health initiatives, and cleaning up our streets.'

The decision came after the city's African American Reparations Advisory Committee released a draft plan in March with recommendations including $5 million in cash payments. Other proposals included the creation of an Afrocentric K-12 school.

Newsom said earlier this year that reparations are “much more than cash payments.”

A spokesperson for Breed also said that “opening a separate office is not an efficient use of funds” and told SFGate that “the mayor does not believe we need a new bureaucracy to implement programs to benefit the African American community '.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Shamann Walton said it was “disheartening,” adding, “I understand the importance of not cutting existing programs, but the Black community will continue to pursue justice and equality through of reparations here in San Francisco. Francisco.

“My hope is that the city's deficit is quickly eliminated so that we can fund the Office of Reparations and fulfill the promise made to address the historic injustices and inequities that have existed for generations for the Black San Franciscans.'

California's stalled reparations campaigns come as others continue with their own programs to explore reparations.

Earlier this month, New York became the third state in the country to create a task force examining reparations, following Illinois, whose commission is still investigating the issue, and California.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on December 19 to create the state commission.

“Today we continue our efforts to right the wrongs of the past by recognizing the painful legacy of slavery in New York,” Hochul said during a signing ceremony at the New York Historical Society in Manhattan.

Governor Hochul signed the legislation six months after state lawmakers passed the bill to investigate the extent to which the federal and state government supported the institution of slavery.

A nine-member commission will study the lasting impact of slavery and make non-binding recommendations on reparations.

She said there is a “moral imperative” to address New York's history of slavery, adding: “Let's be clear about what 'reparations' means.” It doesn't mean fixing the past; no one can do this. But it does mean you have to do more than just an apology.”