Dear comrades, supporters, and fighters for repair,

Thank you so much for your efforts, time, talent, and help spreading the progressive and radical message of love which we know as reparative justice. This year our Reparations Task Force successfully fought for many wins, and none of them would have been possible without the contributions of Americans around the world–like you–who believe that a better world is possible. 

Together, we pushed towards what we consider one of the most important efforts for the well being of all Americans: a long overdue national discussion about practical policies to secure some measure of proportional justice to acknowledge and make up for the legacy of slavery and centuries of systemic anti-Black racism and compounded economic deprivation.

We know time is of the essence. So, our outreach strategy this year was robust… our forward attack, nothing short of relentless.

For instance, in 2022 we:

• Created and pushed for a DNC resolution (passed with thunderous applause in a unanimous decision) and guaranteed that support for a federal reparations commission will be a part of the Democratic Party Platform. We have also elevated reparative justice within the Global Black Caucus, which crystallized this previously unmentioned advocacy as a tenet of the Black Caucus.
• Worked with Japanese-American and Japanese Latin American pro-Reparations groups. 
• Created a book list via Educational Organizer Daniel Stein's resource page.
• Created a resource list with help from Kenniss Henry (N'COBRA)
• Held numerous educational events on reparations for the Progressive Caucus, GBC, and AAPI caucus.
• Educated DA members about the Prison Slavery Loophole. 
• We have engaged in multiple call storms and email campaigns
• Began a bipartisan outreach campaign.
• Sent formal letters to Congressional House leadership, Senate leadership, and Vice President Harris.
• We have signed on to coalition letter campaigns.
• Put pressure on Pres. Biden for his failure to keep his promise to support a federal reparations commission. 
• Have gone on to forge connections with hundreds of US-based organizations
• Forged ties with chief attorney for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors, Damario Solomon-Simmons.
• Helped form NY State Reparations Study Group. 
• Helped find common ground with the progressive movement and proDA via Bruce Murray and Sue Alksnis. Together, we have found, perhaps, untapped potential in a new generation of white Americans who can understand this justice and can help move the Overton window on it for 2024.
• Met on-the-ground activists:

Kaitlyn and Antar learning about Houston, TX's Freedmen's Town from activist Catherine Roberts.

Freedmen's Town activist Priscilla Graham teaching us about the West African print design for original brick production, demonstrating direct links between African-American descendants of enslaved people and the African continent.

 
Louisiana-based PIPES founder Terrance Winn, partner Lashonda
Antar and Kaitlyn.

 We also:

• Met up with our Educational Organizer Daniel Stein to see him and learn about the Black history around Sandy Ground, NY.

 

• Hosted California State Reparations Task Force Chair Kamilah Moore
  
  

• Met H.R. 40 primary sponsor, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
  
  Artist Ted Ellis (middle), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX)
  
  
  Artist Ted Ellis, Antar, and Kait

Upon meeting Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, she told us that the work we do is very important and that international advocacy will be essential to getting H.R. 40 to the floor for a vote. Our global body of voters has the DNC's ear and we can and have amplified voices of the marginalized and silenced within America.

DA makes this movement not only a multiracial, interfaith, and intergenerational movement, but a global one composed of Americans around the world.

In 2023, we will continue to hold the Democratic Party accountable to its promise to enact a federal reparations commission.

Progressives, abolitionists, and reparationists have waited 400 years, and the power of our demand is only getting louder. So, let us continue to march on.

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

• Frederick Douglass, abolitionist

“Power never takes a back step—only in the face of more power.”

• Malcolm X, Black revolutionary

“The great appear great because we are on our knees. Let us rise!”

• James Larkin, Irish revolutionary

“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

• Assata Shakur, Black activist 

In strength and solidarity,

Antar Rashiq Keith

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Reparations Task Force Chair
Democrats Abroad

Ph: +49 162 9470588
Email: [email protected]