—–-Jaclyn Acosta, Barrington Williams, B1Daily

California Democrats have once again sabotaged reparations.

Senator Steven Bradford introduced the two pieces of legislation early last year, but California’s democratic majority has stalled the reparations legislation for over 11 months now.

However, California’s Black constituents say the Dems have gone too far this time. On the final week of the legislative period Governor Newsom’s office attempted to amend the reparations bills in order to remove cash incentives and make it another round of studies, a tacit that the Democrats nationwide have embraced in the past.

California’s Democrats hold much sway over the national party, since so much of the funding for campaign endeavors comes from California’s mega-donor class. In many regards, California Democrats are often considered to be kingmakers for the party.

“It’s unforgivable. But I did my part, when we don’t have many years left in us, we prioritize what’s right over what’s lucrative.” Bradford said on a web call.

“He (Newsom) threatened us. His office is known for getting people out of office and he essentially told all of us that if we didn’t stop this from getting to his desk that we would be enemies of the party, and the money would dry up.” said a legislative assistant that requested anonymity.

Kamilah Moore is the chair of California’s Reparations Task Force and has spoken with B1Daily before.

“I think what happened on Saturday was unconscionable,” she said following the California Congressional Black caucus sabotaging the Freedmen’s reparations bill in order to avoid having Newsome face the backlash for a possible veto.

Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli attempted to force a vote on one of the bills. This caused Democrats to rush to figure out a maneuver to prevent a floor vote. The Assembly then quickly placed the bills on its inactive file, effectively killing the proposals, all without Bradford’s permission.

“You can’t blame Republican’s this time,” said Essayli in web interview with film producer Tariq Nasheed. Essayli says he forced the vote so that there would be no feasible way to blame the chamber’s Republican minority for the Dem’s foolery. “That was my purpose for pushing for this vote. And you see how they sabotaged your community.” he finished.

California Congressional Black Caucus Members (CLBC) have reportedly started receiving death threats for there part in the trickery. Congressman Reggie Jon-Sawyer claims that people have been calling him with death threats and staking his office out. Though none of his claims have been substantiated.

The California Hispanic caucus also sided with the CLBC despite Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas having the authority to override this killing of the bills he declined to, effectively helping to kill the reparations bill.

 “I do think Assembly leadership, namely Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas should have intervened.” said Kamilah Moore

“Demonstrators, supporters and advocates emailed the Speaker’s office, tagged his social media, and asked him to override the black caucus’ dysfunctional and do right by the people of California,” Moore said. “In effect, he sided with the Black Caucus.”

29-year old voter San-Francisco native, Keisha Edwards changed her voter registration following the Democrat’s floor sabotage.

“The way I feel is if you want to make sure we don’t get anything in the Black community, then I and my family will make sure to tell our friends not to vote for you.” she said.

Antonio Quinn who is a former Democratic voter and polling person, said he would no longer be voting this year.

“They were pushing it with Kamala knowing her history out here and refusing to let anybody actually vote for her nomination. But after this, there’s no way that I can go back to my folks and tell them that these people are on our side.” He vented.

With just under 80 days before the national presidential election, Black voters have pledged to make sure that the Democrats are force to account for this betrayal.

-Jaclyn Acosta, Barrington Williams, B1Daily