File #: Res 0092-2002    Version: * Name: March 21, 2002 as "Reparation Awareness Day"
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 3/13/2002
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution declaring March 21, 2002 as "Reparation Awareness Day" and to recognize the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery as crimes against humanity.
Sponsors: Charles Barron, Bill Perkins, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Tracy L. Boyland, Helen D. Foster, Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Jr., John C. Liu, Larry B. Seabrook, Albert Vann
Council Member Sponsors: 10
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Transcript
Res. No. 92 Title Resolution declaring March 21, 2002 as "Reparation Awareness Day" and to recognize the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery as crimes against humanity. Body By Council Members Barron, Perkins, Comrie, Boyland, Foster, Rivera, Sanders and Liu; also Council Members Seabrook and Vann Whereas, In South Africa, on March 21st, 1960, 15,000 black protesters gathered at the Sharpville township to protest against the pass laws, which required Africans to carry identity cards at all times; and Whereas, Police opened fire on the unarmed protesters and within minutes, 56 people were killed and nearly 200 were injured; and Whereas, More Africans were killed in a similar protest at Langa Township near Capetown; and Whereas, The Sharpville Massacre is commemorated annually by people around the world who struggle against racism and racial discrimination; and Whereas, The United Nations now observes March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial discrimination; and Whereas, Last year, the United Nations held its historic World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, resulting in The Durban Declaration and Program of Action, which recognizes that the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery were crimes against humanity; and Whereas, In recognition of the long-suppressed history of slavery and racism that are part of New York City's past and the damage they have wrought, reparations are consequently due the descendants of the victims of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Slavery and Racism; and Whereas, In recognition of the 42nd anniversary of the Sharpville Massacre, in recognition of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, in recognition of the achievements of the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, and particularly in its acknowledgment that the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade and Slavery were crimes against humanity; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That March 21, 2002, be declared "Reparation Awareness Day" and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Slavery recognized as crimes against humanity. - 2 -