San Francisco formally apologizes to Black residents for 'systemic discrimination'

Posted 64 days ago

From ABCNEWS.GO.COM

San Francisco is offering a formal apology to its Black residents for decades of systemic discrimination and targeted acts of violence.

In a historic move on Tuesday, all 11 members of the city's Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to apologize to Black residents and commit to "the rectification and redress of past policies and misdeeds."

The resolution "apologizes on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco to African Americans and their descendants for systemic and structural discrimination, targeted acts of violence, and atrocities," according to San Francisco's legislation.

During the meeting, Supervisor Shamann Walton thanked the African American Reparations Advisory Committee -- which develops recommendations for repairing harm in Black communities -- and noted, "We have much more work to do but this apology most certainly is an important step."

This resolution is the first recommendation the Board of Supervisors has approved from the committee.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen reflected on the mass protests following the death of George Floyd and the widespread call for reform across America, which was a driving force in the formal apology.... (Read more)