The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has called on New York State to pay reparations to all Black residents, arguing the state should atone for its historical role in slavery and subsequent discriminatory policies. The demand forms part of a wider push by activist groups to secure financial redress for the lasting effects of slavery and systemic racism on Black communities, a proposal likely to prove contentious given its scale and cost implications.

The call comes amid ongoing debate in the US over reparations, with New York among several states and cities that have previously studied or considered such measures. Critics are likely to question the practicality and fairness of extending payments to all Black residents of the state rather than targeting specific historical harms, while supporters argue it reflects the breadth of slavery's legacy across generations.