In 2022, the city of Boston created an ordinance to discuss reparations. The ordinance was composed of 10 members, including two from the youth community.
In February, the members of the group called on the city to “fully commit to writing checks” and want a $15 billion payout, claiming the city’s wealth was built on slavery.
“We call sincerely and with a heart filled with faith and Christian love for our White churches to join us and not be silent around this issue of racism and slavery and commit to reparations,” Rev. Kevin Peterson said.
“We point to them in Christian love to publicly atone for the sins of slavery and we ask them to publicly commit to a process of reparations where they will extend their great wealth — tens of millions of dollars among some of those churches — into the Black community,” said Peterson.
Over fifteen religious leaders signed the letter seeking reparations and sent it to Boston churches.
The groups would like the money given in cash payments to help create affordable housing and new financial institutions.
From Fox News:
The letter was reportedly sent to Arlington Street Church, Trinity Church and Old South Church in Back Bay, King’s Chapel in downtown Boston. All four churches were established in the 17th and 18th centuries, Peterson told the publication.
During Saturday’s press conference, Rev. John E. Gibbons of Arlington Street Church told reporters multiple churches are researching their history and discussing reparations.
However, Gibbons has said that more will need to be done and wants churches to “go beyond what they have done thus far.”
“That is not enough,” Gibbons said. “Somehow we need to move with some urgency toward action and so part of what we’re doing is to prod and encourage white churches to go beyond what they have done thus far.”
In 2023, King’s Chapel paid for research that discovered 219 people that were owned by ministers and members of the congregation. Senior minister Joy Fallon, with the support of the congregation, established a memorial to the people who were enslaved and created a fund to support reconciliation.
