Four alderpersons voted against a resolution offering Black Chicagoans an apology for America’s enslavement of their ancestors, producing a racially charged clash within the City Council and a final roll call that one supporter called “appalling.”
Alds. Raymond Lopez (15th), Nick Sposato (38th), Anthony Napolitano (41st) and James Gardiner (45th) sparked outrage from some of their colleagues for refusing to endorse the resolution, which ultimately passed.
The measure sponsored by Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th) issued a formal apology from the City Council “to the Black citizens of Chicago for the historical injustices of slavery, segregation, systemic racism, and the policies that have perpetuated racial inequality.”
It overwhelmingly passed 43-4 but not without fireworks at a marathon City