Council Member Nantasha Williams introduced a resolution supporting a bill aimed at shedding light on the relationship between businesses’ potential historic financial ties to the centuries-long period of enslavement in the United States.
Williams, who represents Council District 27 in southeast Queens, has introduced a resolution that supports Senator James Sanders Jr’s bill, S7738, which is currently under review in the New York State Legislature. The bill, known as the New York Slavery Era Business and State Procurement Disclosure Act, aims to address the impacts of slavery in the U.S. and the implications it could have on influencing current societal and business practices.
The legislation mandates that insurers disclose any insurance policies issued during the slavery era that provided coverage to slaveholders for the injury to or death of enslaved people.
The legislation also requires contractors interested in or renewing contracts with state agencies to report any finances, investments or profits procured from enslavement.
Council Member Williams’ resolution comes right before Labor Day weekend, a time she says is crucial to remember the “generation of laborers whose uncompensated and enslaved work built the foundations of this country. Their labor continues to benefit major companies that prosper to this day. No labor should ever go uncompensated or unrecognized. By supporting Senator Sanders’ bill, we are taking a step toward rectifying the historical wrongs that have shaped our society and economy,” she said in a statement.
Senator Sanders added that his legislation aims to shed light on a dark chapter of American history by demanding companies disclose their historical ties to slavery.
The resolution is moving forward for further consideration at the Sept. 12 stated City Council Meeting.
