BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) – The Queen City has been chosen to host the first reparations meeting for descendants of slaves and African Americans in New York State.

Testimonies and perspectives were shared about the lasting impact of slavery from the early 1600s to the present day Tuesday night at Elim Christian Fellowship Church.

Participants had the chance to meet with parliamentarians and community leaders who are at the forefront of the initiative.

The committee is called the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies. To watch the full public hearing, click here.

The aim is for the commission to amplify the voices of the community. On Tuesday night, I caught a few of those voices.

The state appointed nine commissioners to the committee to bring a wide range of expertise and commitment to their work.

This includes research on the economic, social and political effects of historical injustices.

“The simple fact is that black communities have been a repository for our state’s deadliest toxic pollutants,” said Aymanuel Radford, organizer of the Buffalo chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Buffalo native Aymanuel Radford is part of New Yorkers for Reparations. He was one of several people who spoke at the podium about why reparations are imperative for the descendants of slaves.

“Those issues I touched on; the issue of racism, the issue of environmental racism and criminal justice, are issues that directly affect me and my community. It was important as a resident of Buffalo that this was the first reparations committee meeting that was shared. these issues and to be transparent about what I hope this committee will do,” explained Radford.

“Reparations means writing out the wrongs of injustice from its foundation. Reparations are the only way to make equality real,” said Dr. Jackie Cody, Vice President of the Brooklyn Central Chapter, National Action Network.

Dr. Jackie Cody traveled from Brooklyn to attend this first public hearing. She adds that African Americans receiving reparations will be good for everyone.

“The US has yet to atone for genocide and crimes against humanity. Even Germany has atoned for its Holocaust and South Africa. You look in different places and different groups are getting their reparations for the wrong done,” added Dr. Cody. “Just like the Civil Rights Movement was a black agenda, but now, civil rights are for everyone.”

The series of meetings will take place in various cities in New York. The next public hearing will be held in Queens, NY on Monday, December 16th.