Call to ACTION:
Nine reparations-related bills passed the legislature recently, including AB 57, which the Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition supports! Now we need to ask the Governor to sign them.
Thank you for advocating justice for the descendants of formerly enslaved people.
Summary:
This bill is based on the establishment of the certification process for the descendants of American slavery established by the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery. It would require at least 10% of the money in the California Dream for All Program fund to be reserved for applicants who meet the requirements for a loan and have been certified as descendants of formerly enslaved people.
Why we support AB 57:
AB 57 acknowledges and addresses the systemic barriers that have prevented descendants of enslaved people from achieving equitable access to homeownership. Homeownership is a cornerstone of wealth building, and this bill is an essential step toward ensuring that this historically marginalized community has opportunities to close the wealth gap and achieve economic stability. We support AB 57 because it reflects a commitment to justice, equity, and opportunity for an important community that has been disproportionately harmed by historical oppression.
Information about this bill from CalMatters Digital Democracy
Summary | Bill Text | Status | Votes | Analysis | Supporters & Opponents
On the linked page above, click on an item in the tabbed section below the Current Status timeline. NOTE: If the status is “Enacted” the Governor has already signed the bill.
How to ask the Governor to sign this bill
This applies to all bills that have passed both houses of the state legislature.
1. Go to https://www.gov.ca.gov/
2. Click on “Contact” at the right end of the top menu bar to get to the “Contact the Governor” page (https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/)
3. On the Best method page, under What is your request or comment about?, select the Topic “An Active Bill.”
4. Under “What specific bill?”, scroll down to select “AB 57 – California Dream for All Program: descendants of formerly enslaved people.”
If you don’t see the bill you’re looking for, it’s probably for one of these reasons: (1) the bill hasn’t passed the Legislature yet, (2) the Governor has already signed or vetoed the bill, (3) the deadline for the Governor to act on the bill has passed, or (4) you got the bill number wrong.)
5. Under What is the purpose of your message?, click “Leave a comment.”
6. Click the “Next” button.
7. Under If applicable, what is your stance on this topic?, select “Pro”.
8. Under What is your message for the Governor?, do this:
- Copy Please sign AB 57! and paste it into the “Message subject” box, replace the default subject “An Active Bill”. Your message title will be “Please sign AB 57!”.
9. In the Message box, paste this argument in support of the bill:
- Copy and paste the text below into the Message box. Feel free to edit or add your own words.
- Please sign AB 57! I support setting aside a portion of the California Dream for All Program funding for descendants of formerly enslaved people, focusing on using targeted support to address systemic injustices and historical inequities in homeownership.
10. Click the “Next” button.
11. Fill in your name, email address, and (optionally) phone number.
12. Click the “Submit” button.
That’s all there is to it!
Alternative Methods
Here are other ways to contact the Governor. These may take longer.
Mail
Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone
(916) 445-2841
