During Tuesday’s CNN interview, a reparations advocate said she didn’t know how San Francisco or other cities could pay reparations to black residents.
Adrienne Broaddus, CNN, spoke with Robin Sue Simmons, an activist who grew up Evanston, Illinois’ fifth Ward. In that ward, banks refused to mortgage black families in the first half 20th century.
After the unanimous approval of a modified program approved by the city council in March 2021, Evanston has added a cash option on Monday to its reparations program. After the city allocated $10 million of their share of recreational marijuana sales tax revenue, the program grants black residents up to $25,000
“In San Francisco, a reparations commission is proposing $5 million in payments to all eligible black residents. Simmons was asked by Broaddus how they would pay each resident.
“I don’t know. Simmons stated that these are the challenges we all face as municipalities.
Evanston residents must be of African descent and can provide evidence that they are ancestors who have lived in Evanston between 1919-1969, when it was segregated. The payments were initially only available for home improvements and purchasing a new house.
The Board of Supervisors in San Francisco recently accepted a draft reparations proposal. This would allow black Americans to receive a $5 million payout if they meet two requirements.
