California will officially apologize for state’s role in slavery and discrimination

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed several bills to address the state’s history of racial discrimination, including a formal apology for its “role in the perpetuation of slavery.”

“The State of California accepts responsibility for the role we played in promoting, facilitating, and permitting the institution of slavery, as well as its enduring legacy of persistent racial disparities. Building on decades of work, California is now taking another important step forward in recognizing the grave injustices of the past – and making amends for the harms caused,” Newsom said in a statement.

The state’s Legislative Black Caucus joined Newsom as he signed Thursday’s bills.

Along with a formal apology for slavery and strengthening protections against discrimination, some of the key bills noted in the press release increase access to literature in prisons, address employment discrimination, college and career financial aid, mental health disparities, and food and medical deserts.

This comes a day after Newsom vetoed a bill that would have helped Black families reclaim or be compensated for property unjustly taken in racially motivated uses of eminent domain. Newsom said in his veto message that while he thanked the bill’s author “for his commitment to redressing past racial injustices,” it tasked “a nonexistent state agency to carry out its various provisions and requirements, making it impossible to implement.”

California joins other states including Florida, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Alabama, New Jersey and Iowa that have acknowledged the ongoing impacts and history of racial discrimination, the release said.

Newsom also thanked the state’s Legislative Black Caucus Chair Lori Wilson (D) for her efforts along with the rest of the caucus.

“As we confront the lasting legacy of slavery, I’m profoundly grateful for the efforts put forward by Chair Wilson and the members of the California Legislative Black Caucus,” he said in the statement.

Wilson said that the reparations are a “multi-year effort.”

“These bills lay a meaningful foundation to address the historic injustices faced by Black Californians, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to my fellow Caucus members and the advocacy leaders who have championed this effort. This is a multi-year effort, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with the Governor on this important work in the years to come as we push toward lasting justice and equity,” she said.