(Daily Mail) An activist has warned California‘s reparations task force that there will be ‘a serious backlash’ if they do not comply with his demands for more than $800,000 to be handed out black residents,
Deon Jenkins told the first meeting of the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans that money given to black people in the California should be in-line with the average price of a home in the state, around $800,000.
Following that appearance at the public hearing in Oakland’s City Hall on Wednesday, Jenkins, who refers to himself as a ‘hip hop organizer’ said in an interview: ‘Either they’re going to comply or it’s going to be a serious backlash.’
Since 2021, the first of its kind in the nation task force has been delving into history and studies to make its case for reparations to California descendants of enslaved Black people. The group has until July 1 before they have to make a decision on reparations.
Deon Jenkins, shown here, ran for president in 2016 and 2020 and ran for the US Senate in California in 2022, gaining less than 7,000 votes
Jenkins ran for president in 2016 and 2020 and ran for the US Senate in California in 2022, gaining less than 7,000 votes. On his official website, Jenkins calls himself as ‘grassroots hip hop organizer.’
In his speech before the task force, Jenkins also said: ‘Defense, money, land, grants. Four elements of every society, every nation – a defensive structure, economy, land and having access to that economy.’
He continued: ‘If that is not being addressed reparations will not hold. Reparations – repair is the root word, we cannot have repair if those elements are not addressed.’
Brother deon moving the needle @DeonDJenkins #reparationsnow #Reparations #california #PBS pic.twitter.com/h6XbLwkf9U
— POOKIE (@CousinPookieFBP) December 15, 2022
In his speech before the task force, Jenkins also said: ‘Defense, money, land, grants. Four elements of every society, every nation – a defensive structure, economy, land and having access to that economy’
Also speaking on Thursday, was Rev. Tony Pierce of the Black Wall Street Project who shouted as his time for speaking ran out: ‘$230,000 is not enough!’
Another speaker, Carol Williams, who said that she lived through homelessness since moving to the state in 1985 from Memphis, stated her belief that all reparations should be tax free.
She said: ‘I consider myself a foundational black American. he reparation should be tax free, so that when we get the money the IRS won’t come after us. And I’m pleading and I’m asking that when we make the decision of lineage, we save those who have been in California since 2000.’
While another speaker said: ‘I can’t even walk down the street without being judged. There’s nothing I can do in this world without being judged. Why should I be judged … only by the color of my skin?’
Max Fennell and fellow activist Jenkins pictured after the meeting, Jenkins asked for reparations in the amount of $800,000 to be handed out
Former Democratic congressional candidate Morris Griffin holds up a sign during the meeting
At Wednesday’s hearing, 35-year-old entrepreneur and the first black professional tri-athlete, Max Fennell who said that every person should get $350,000 in compensation to close the racial wealth gap and Black-owned businesses should receive $250,000, which would help them to flourish.
Fennell added: ‘It’s a debt that’s owed, we worked for free,’ he said. ‘We’re not asking; we’re telling you.’
He concluded his remarks by saying: ‘The tangibles of what I’m asking for is $350,000 per black American in California that’s tangible, small business grant $250,000 and land 15-20 acres.’
Fennell posted a video on Instagram showing him at the hearings, with around 60 others, alongside the caption: ‘Witnessing history with the tribe.’
