This request was publicized at a press conference held at Resurrection Lutheran Church, coordinated by the Boston People’s Reparations Commission, as reported by The Boston Globe.
Reverend Kevin Peterson, one of the speakers, has been active in efforts to rename Faneuil Hall due to its association with a slave owner. He urged White churches to actively participate in addressing the legacies of racism and slavery through reparations, emphasizing the significant wealth some of these churches hold.
Danielle Williams of Prophetic Resistance Boston also spoke, highlighting the enduring legacy of slavery and the need for reparations, emphasizing the urgency of their demand.
Rev. John E. Gibbons criticized the mere research into churches' historical ties to slavery, advocating for immediate financial action instead.
The reparations advocacy group has reached out to churches with a letter from 16 religious leaders, seeking their agreement and action on the reparations demand, though responses from the churches remain undisclosed.
Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston has been proactive in reparation discussions, initiating a city task force in February to explore reparations, following San Francisco’s lead. Wu also attracted attention for a controversial “no-whites” Christmas Party invitation for city councillors, which she later said was sent mistakenly.