NBJC Responds to Governor Wes Moore’s Veto of Maryland Reparations Commission Bill
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
‘This veto represents a painful rejection of the communities that made his historic election possible,’ says NBJC CEO
WASHINGTON –Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), issued the following statement in response to Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s decision to veto legislation that would have created a state-level commission to study and recommend reparations for Black Marylanders:
“Governor Wes Moore’s veto of Maryland’s reparations bill is not only deeply disappointing — it is a painful rejection of the very communities that helped make his historic election possible,” said Dr. Johns. “As the first Black governor of Maryland, Gov. Moore had an opportunity to lead with moral clarity, political courage, and historical awareness. Instead, his decision represents a dangerous step backward in the long and necessary march toward racial justice.”
A Betrayal of Generational Progress
The vetoed legislation was modeled after H.R. 40, the federal reparations commission bill that Maryland endorsed through a 2004 resolution. Over two decades later, Moore’s rejection of this framework represents what Dr. Johns called “more than an abandonment — it’s a betrayal of generational efforts to pursue truth, healing, and repair.”
The timing of the veto is particularly significant as federal momentum builds around reparative justice. Last week, Rep. Summer Lee introduced the “Reparations Now” resolution in Congress, building on the work of Rep. Ayanna Pressley, lead sponsor of H.R. 40’s reparative justice legislation.
“Black Marylanders deserve more than platitudes about ‘action’ while the very process required to define what justice looks like is being blocked,” Dr. Johns emphasized. “This isn’t just about another study. This is about honoring lived experiences, understanding harm, and crafting a path forward rooted in community input and historical accountability.”
National Momentum vs. Local Resistance
The veto comes as reparations initiatives gain traction nationwide, from California’s groundbreaking reparations task force to ongoing efforts in Washington, D.C., Illinois, New Jersey, and New York.
“The national momentum for reparations is undeniable — and Maryland should be leading, not lagging,” said Dr. Johns. “At a time when the federal government is being weaponized against Black communities and the far right is dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the country, this veto sends the wrong message: that even with Black leadership in the highest office of the state, structural justice can still be denied.”
NBJC’s Director of Public Policy and Programs, Victoria Kirby York, MPA, also a Maryland resident, added, “I am at least the tenth generation of my family to call Maryland home. My pride in Gov. Moore’s election has become eclipsed by shame. What should have been a moment for Marylanders across racial history and ethnic heritage to celebrate an opportunity for racial healing and repair has become a moment to uphold the status quo. My state senator, C. Anthony Muse, introduced the bill, and lawmakers from various racial backgrounds joined him to send the bill to Governor Moore. I urge my fellow Marylanders to contact their state lawmakers and urge them to join the effort to override this deeply disappointing veto.”
Expert Voices Echo Disappointment
Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, author of Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation, called the veto “shortsighted and deeply unfortunate.”
“Reparations meets the urgency of the moment, providing a feasible pathway to reducing or eliminating the problems of poverty, the achievement and wealth gaps, and Black maternal mortality,” Dr. Hunter said.
Dreisen Heath, Founder of the Why We Can’t Wait National Reparations Coalition, connected the local setback to broader national challenges: “Governor Moore’s veto of the Maryland State Reparations Commission and the conservatives’ push to frame insurrectionists as victims both distort the truth and the practical urgency of reparations. Our justice claims cannot be sidestepped for political convenience.”
The Fight Continues
Dr. Johns praised the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus for championing the legislation and emphasized that the movement transcends any single political decision.
“Reparations are not a moment — they are a movement,” he declared. “And no single political decision will silence the centuries-long call for repair, recognition, and justice.”
CALL TO ACTION
The National Black Justice Collective urges immediate action on multiple fronts:
For Maryland Constituents:
- Contact your Maryland State Legislators to support overriding Governor Moore’s veto when the legislature reconvenes
- Demand accountability from elected officials who claim to support racial justice but fail to act when it matters
For National Progress:
- Support federal reparations legislation, including H.R. 40 led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and H.Res.414, the “Reparations Now” resolution, introduced by Rep. Summer Lee
- Amplify the voices of congressional champions fighting for reparative justice at the federal level
- Join the movement by contacting your representatives and demanding concrete action on reparations
The time for studies that lead to inaction is over. The time for reparative justice is now.To take action or learn more about supporting reparations efforts in Maryland and nationally, visit https://nbjc.org/nbjc-action-hub/.