The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today welcomed Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent signing of Senate Bill (SB) 518, representing a historic step toward addressing the historical injustices and systemic discrimination faced by the descendants of enslaved people in the state of California.
SEE: Governor Newsom Signs Landmark Bill Creating Slavery Descendants Bureau
Authored by State Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, this landmark bill establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery—the first, statewide agency dedicated to advancing reparative initiatives for Black Californians. The Bureau will work to build lasting systems of equity through verifying descendant status, leading public education and outreach, and advising on future initiatives.
SB 518 is a result of policy recommendations from a June 2023 report by the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. CAIR-CA joined more than 600 organizations in endorsing the report, calling it a “critical roadmap for addressing the enduring consequences of slavery and systemic racism.”
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“We commend Governor Newsom’s signing of SB 518 into law. Rectifying injustice requires more than symbolic acknowledgement, and this critical bill paves the way for future legislative action to meaningfully address the historical and ongoing harmful impacts of slavery, systemic discrimination, and institutional racism on California’s Black communities.
“We urge the Governor, and other policymakers, to sustain this momentum by continuing to identify inequities in our state systems and work to enact policies that dismantle barriers and address institutional harms to truly build a more equitable and just California.”
Earlier this month, Governor Newsom vetoed a CAIR-CA-supported bill, Assembly Bill 7. Also known as the Legacy of Harm & Exclusion Consideration Act, this bill would have allowed California’s public and private colleges to give preferential admissions treatment to descendants of enslaved people.
In his veto message, Governor Newsom stated, “These institutions already have the authority to determine whether to provide admissions preferences like this one, and accordingly, this bill is unnecessary.”
CAIR-CA is deeply committed to advancing equity and justice across all sectors of society and urges Governor Newsom and the state legislature to continue enacting meaningful policies that ensure a just, equitable, and inclusive future for Black Californians.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851, eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Director Zaid Hisham, (916) 441-6269, zhisham@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779, ladam@cair.com