The creation of a truth, healing, and reconciliation process.

This bill would require the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) to establish a Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation process in connection with the City’s historic involvement in slavery and its present-day legacies. The process’s objectives would be to establish facts about slavery and its ongoing legacies in the City; to protect and acknowledge affected persons and communities throughout and after the process; and to recommend changes for government and institutions to prevent recurrence and perpetuation of harm. CORE would be required to hold public proceedings and conduct public engagement activities across all five boroughs, and to publish and memorialize its findings and recommendations. CORE would first undertake a two-year, participatory planning process before implementation, and would coordinate its work with the New York State community commission on reparations remedies and the reparations study to be required by Int. 279-A.