In 1850, California joined the United States union as a state that outlawed indentured servitude and slavery, except for those serving out a criminal punishment.
One hundred and seventy-four years later, California voters will have the chance to put the practice to an end for good.
The California State Senate today placed a measure on the November ballot that would change the state’s constitution to prohibit any kind of forced labor. A similar measure died in the Legislature two years ago. This time, it passed by a vote of 33-3, and its approval drew loud cheers from supporters in the Capitol.
The measure — authored by Assemblymember Lori Wilson — was one of 14 bills the California Legislative Black Caucus prioritized this year as its lawmakers worked to carry out recommendations from the state-funded reparations task force. The task force last year issued a detailed report on the legacy of slavery and inequality dating back to the Gold Rush, when some Californians lived in enslavement despite California’s status as a free state.
The anti-slavery measure, known as Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8, would primarily affect state prison inmates.
“It is a testament to our collective resolve to correct historical wrongs and ensure that every individual in California is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” Wilson said after the vote. “Now, as we look ahead to the November 2024 ballot, let us continue to work with the same spirit of determination and unity that has brought us to this moment.
Racial justice activists have been pushing for the state to adopt a constitutional amendment outlawing the practice of involuntary…
Read the full article here
