Because of you and your diligent efforts, calling and submitting letters to legislative leaders, all four reparations bills — AB 57, AB 62, SB 437, and SB 518 — were approved in the Appropriations process and will now be voted on by the full Assembly and Senate. These bills are historic and will continue to advance our vision of reparations.
In just 24 hours, over 1,000+ calls and letters were submitted last week to demand reparations in California. This is what people power and organizing for repair and justice look like. Every single phone call you made and letter you sent made a difference, thank you!
We now need to encourage legislators in both houses to support these bills and then ask Governor Newsom to sign them into law. With each letter and call, you are shaping history and bending the arc toward justice. Stay in the fight!
Four ways you can help right now:
1. Send a Letter to Your Senator and Assemblymember
Add Your Name
2. Sign On as an Organization
Sign On Here
3. Call Your Senator and Assemblymember
Make the Call
4. Urge Governor Newsom to Sign
Take Action
Bonus — Share the Toolkit
Open Toolkit
Please send a letter to your Senator and Assemblymember by Tuesday, September 9, using this online tool that identifies your legislators and helps you send letters to them in support of the reparations bills.
- SB 518 (Weber-Pierson): Establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the Civil Rights Department. This bureau will confirm lineage status and ensure the implementation of reparative policies with precision and equity.
- SB 437 (Weber-Pierson): Requires the California State University (CSU) system, in partnership with other universities or nonprofit institutions, to establish a process for conducting or verifying genealogical research for the purpose of confirming an individual’s status as a descendant of an enslaved person for eligibility for reparative claims.
- AB 62 (McKinnor): Addresses harm caused by the discriminatory use of eminent domain by mandating state and local governments to examine and report on dispossessed properties. It also provides remedies such as restitution or the right of return.
- AB 57 (McKinnor): Reserves at least 10% of the money in the California Dream For All first-time homebuyer program for descendants of formerly enslaved people, creating access to more affordable housing for those most impacted by California’s participation in slavery.
Your voice matters—let’s make these elected officials understand that reparations are not optional and a debt that is owed. We can’t afford not to have reparations. When the system is unfair and remains broken, it results in long-term social and economic costs. Investing in reparations is an investment in a stronger, more united California. We want elected officials who repair harm and are actively working to take care of Californians. It’s about building a state that respects the contributions of Black Californians and ensures that all residents have the opportunity to succeed, ultimately benefiting everyone.
Click here to sign a letter of support telling your elected officials that reparations can’t wait! Take action by Tuesday, September 9.
Reparations are not just about addressing historical slavery; they also focus on the ongoing harms and unfair practices that Black people continue to experience today in education, healthcare, housing, and employment. By implementing reparations, California is righting its wrongs and laying the groundwork for a brighter future and healing for everyone.
Together, we can move from recommendations to repair.
Thank you again for your ongoing partnership and your commitment to fighting for justice.
