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NYC council passes bill to study slavery and possible reparations

An aerial view shows One World Trade Center and the Manhattan skyline.
Ed Jones
/
AFP via Getty Images
An aerial view shows One World Trade Center and the Manhattan skyline.

New York City officials will be studying the impact of slavery and that could lead to reparations. The council just passed a package of bills on the matter.

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams says businesses continued to benefit from slavery long after it was abolished and the harms from slavery are still impacting the black community today.

"We need honesty in understanding the historical legacy of slavery in New York City and its impact on New Yorkers as well as a path towards healing, reconciliation and repair."

The passed legislation orders a commission to study the impact of slavery on New York City communities and consider reparations. Councilman Joe Borelli is against reparations. He tells the New York Post

"I am not paying a dime as a reparation for a harm I did not cause, nor condone, nor once participate in.”