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WESTSIDESTORY NEWSPAPER

"A Promise Kept”: California Establishes First-in-the-Nation Reparations Agency

Gov. Gavin Newsom Legislative Black has signed Senate Bill Caucus (CLBC), met (SB) 518, landmark with Gov. Newsom legislation creating as he signed my bill California's Bureau SB 518 the Bureau for Descendants of for Descendants of American Slavery the first state agency in the nation dedicat- ed to implementing reparations for Black Americans.

American Slavery," said Sen. Akilah We- ber Pierson (D-San Diego), chair of the CLBC and author of the bill. "California has taken a monu- mental and historic step toward justice, "A few days ago, I, with a few other mem- bers of the California becoming the first state in the nation to create a permanent agency dedicated to reparative justice for Black Americans."

The governor first hinted at the signing during an appearance on the Higher Learn- ing podcast, hosted by Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan Jr., before his office made the news official in an Oct. 10 press release. "I just signed a bill two days ago with the (California Legisla- tive) Black Caucus as it relates to creating a new office to ad- dress these systemic issues," Newsom told the hosts.

Authored by Weber Pierson, SB 518 es- tablishes a permanent state agency tasked with implementing reparations policies for descendants of en- slaved African Amer- icans and those whose families were harmed by racially motivated eminent domain in California. The Bu- reau will verify eli- gibility, safeguard privacy, educate the public, and coordi- nate future reparative justice initiatives. "For centuries, the By Antonio Ray Harvey descendants of en- slaved people have endured hardship, ex- clusion, and systemic injustice that denied them access to oppor- tunity and equality," Weber Pierson said in a statement. "SB 518 is a step toward acknowledging that painful truth and cre- ating the structures

See "A Promi..." page 8

ARMC's Mobile Medical Clinic Coming to Burning Bush

SAN BERNARDINO, CA--- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center's Mobile Medical Clinic will visit Burning Bush Church in Vic- torville from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. The On-The-Go Health Mobile Medical Clinic provides free or low-cost services for children ages 0 to 17, including well-child vis- its, developmental screenings, vaccinations, Medi-Cal enrollment, and dental screenings with fluoride varnish treatments.

The clinic will be held at 14849 7th Street in Victorville. It is presented in partnership with San Bernardino County Public Health, Transitional Assistance, Inland Empire Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, and First 5 San Ber- nardino. Appointments can be made by calling (909) 498-6277.

Church on October 18