Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a bill into law that creates a commission that will study the impacts of slavery and consider what reparation payments to decedents of slaves might look like. The bill passed the legislature earlier this year and included a handful of Republican supporters, but was among the more controversial items of the past legislative session. The commission has a broad mandate and is empowered to look at more than just the institution of slavery. It is tasked with studying the lingering negative effects of slavery and discrimination on living people of African descent in New York and making recommendations including possible cash payments to decedents of individuals who were enslaved. Slavery was fully abolished in New York by 1827, however, supporters of the legislation say there is a need to fully examine the ongoing impact of slavery on New Yorkers today. “Former slaves and their children and their children and their children across our nation have been haunted for generations by racism and disenfranchisement,” said Hochul. “Millions of people, even though free on a piece of paper, were still trapped by Jim Crow, stripped of their rights, even including the right to participate in our democracy, the right to vote.” In her speech, delivered before a large audience in New York City at the ceremonial bill signing, Hochul told the story of Robert Lewis, a black man who was hanged in Port Jervis 131 years ago. “Some of you may know the story,” said Hochul. “In 1892, Port Jervis was a quaint little hamlet, about 9,000 people, just a few hours by train from here. People traveled up there to get fresh air and fish for trout. It was idyllic. It was mostly white. And on one June morning, a gentleman named Robert Lewis, a black man who drove a carriage for a hotel, was dragged down the street by an angry mob. He was beaten and hung from a tree after being accused of attacking a white woman, although it was actually her boyfriend who had been involved.” Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton said he believes the commission comes at a key time in American history, and applauded Governor Hochul for taking what he considered to be a big political risk for supporting its creation. “I want to give credit to this governor for having the audacity and courage to do what others wouldn’t do. And I know she had to wrestle with it. And I know her political advisors told her it’s too risky,” said Sharpton. The commission will be made up of nine members who will have a year to compile a public report of their findings and recommendations. The nine members are appointed in equal portions by the legislative leaders in the State Senate and Assembly, as well as the Governor.
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