The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed a historic decision by the Maryland General Assembly to override Governor Wes Moore’s veto and enact legislation creating a Maryland Reparations Study Commission to examine and address the lasting harms of slavery and systemic racism.
SEE: Legislature overrides Moore’s veto, approves creation of reparations commission
This moment represents a transformational step toward racial justice, equity, and healing for communities historically marginalized and harmed by centuries of racial injustice. By advancing a formal process to study reparations, Maryland joins a growing number of jurisdictions committed to confronting the legacy of slavery and its enduring socioeconomic impacts.
“With this move, Maryland lawmakers have shown moral clarity and leadership by affirming that justice must be rooted in rigorous study, community engagement, and thoughtful policy development,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “This commission will provide the transparency, research, and analysis necessary to chart a meaningful path toward reparative solutions that address economic inequality, educational disparities, and historic marginalization.”
CAIR is prepared to support the commission’s work to ensure that voices of impacted communities are centered throughout the process. The civil rights group calls on elected leaders to commit to concrete policy outcomes that advance justice, opportunity, and equity for all Maryland residents.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com