Politics & Government

New Jersey Residents March For Slavery Reparations (WATCH)

The N.J. rally was held in support of HR-40, which would create a commission to explore African-American slavery reparations in the U.S.

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County was on the frontline of a continued campaign for African-American reparations in the United States last weekend when dozens of marchers took to the streets of Newark.

According to organizers, Saturday’s rally – spearheaded by the Newark-based People's Organization for Progress – was held in support of HR-40, a bill which would create a commission to develop “reparation proposals” for African-Americans.

The proposed law is currently sitting before the U.S. Congress Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice and can be seen here. It would “establish a commission to study and consider a national apology and proposal for reparations for the institution of slavery.”

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During Saturday’s rally, protesters dressed in matching yellow shirts marched on Broad Street, holding signs and a large banner that read: “Reparations now for the descendants of Africans enslaved in America.”

Watch videos of the march below.

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Photos used with permission, People’s Organization For Progress

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