Resolution 230532
Authorizing the creation of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force to study and develop reparations proposals for Black Philadelphian Descendants of Enslaved Africans in the United States.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“-- City Council, N'COBRA leadership, City of Philadelphia residents, and families. My name is Jacqueline Wiggins. I'm a senior citizen, resident, and a member of N'COBRA. I'm testifying in support of Resolution 230532, and I appreciate the work of Councilmembers Gauthier and Brooks and others before. I am fourth generation removed Stated Meeting 06-22-2023 103 6/22/2023 from enslavement. My great-grandfather, Papa Is…”
Ms. Wiggins · Stated Meeting, June 22, 2023 · Jun 22, 2023 · official transcript, this passage
“Resolution No. 230516, entitled a "Resolution Stated Meeting 06-22-2023 131 6/22/2023 Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 3107 Cecil B. Moore Avenue and 2401 North Thirty-second Street, located in the Fifth Councilmanic District"; and Resolution No. 230517, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute a…”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, June 22, 2023 · Jun 22, 2023 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Jun 15, 2023Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- Jun 22, 2023ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
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..Title Authorizing the creation of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force to study and develop reparations proposals for Black Philadelphian Descendants of Enslaved Africans in the United States. ..Body WHEREAS, From 1619 through 1865, the transatlantic slave trade resulted in approximately 4,000,000 Africans and their descendants being enslaved in the United States; and WHERAS, Although the institution of slavery became illegal in the United States in 1865, discrimination against Black Americans continued through racist practices including Redlining, Jim Crow, and Black Codes; and WHEREAS, In the past, the City of Philadelphia has taken steps to address its past involvement in the illegal institution of slavery; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia's Slavery Era Business/Corporate Insurance Disclosure laws were enacted in 2004 requiring City contractors to complete affidavits verifying that they have searched any and all of their company's or predecessor company records regarding investments or profits earned from slavery or slaveholder insurance policies during slavery; and WHEREAS, Under these laws, any financial institution authorized to receive deposits from the City that has disclosed slavery policies or profits, they must provide the City with a statement of financial reparations, including a description of new financial products or programs developed to address racial disparities in its lending and investment activities; and WHEREAS, Black Philadelphians, specifically those descended from Enslaved Africans continue to suffer extraordinary disparities in economic, educational, housing, and healthcare outcomes as a result of the illegal institution of slavery. Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, at a staggering 30.8%, Black Philadelphians had a poverty rate more than twice that of non-Hispanic White Philadelphians; and WHEREAS, Although more than 40% of Philadelphia's residents are Black, only 6% of the City's businesses are Black-owned; and WHEREAS, Multiple City and State level Reparations Task Forces and Commissions have been established across the United States to examine the distribution of reparations to the descendants of Enslaved Africans, including California, New Jersey, Amherst, MA, Willington, DE, Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes the creation of the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force to study and develop reparations proposals for Black Philadelphian Descendants of Enslaved Africans in the United States. ..End