Should Corporate America Pay?: Scholars to Meet on Slavery Reparations Lawsuits

6/24/2003

From: Deadria C. Farmer-Paellmann, 917-365-3007

News Advisory:

On Thursday, June 26, scholars and litigators will meet at the National Press Club, Holeman Lounge, from 12 noon-3 p.m., at 529 14th Street NW, Washington D.C., for a discussion on landmark reparations lawsuits filed by descendants of enslaved Africans against blue-chip corporations. The meeting is entitled: Should Corporate America Pay?

Since March 26, 2002, nine lawsuits were filed against 19 corporations for reparations. The defendants are from the banking, insurance, transportation, textile and tobacco industries. The plaintiffs are African American consumers who were formerly enslaved, are the biological children of enslaved Africans, or are descendants of enslaved Africans who allege that the corporations have been unjustly enriched by their participation in slavery.

The panel of scholars and litigators will give clarity on issues addressed in the lawsuits. Dr. Raymond Winbush, of Morgan State University, and author of the book, "Should America Pay?," will serve as moderator. Roger Wareham, of the firm Thomas Wareham & Richards, a lead counsel in the class action lawsuits, will discuss new developments in the case including strong consumer protection allegations, and new plaintiffs in the case who were enslaved in the 20th Century.

Dr. Conrad Worrill, of Northeastern Illinois University Center for Inner City Education, and Chairman of the National Black United Front, will give an overview of the history of the reparations movement. Professor Richard America, of Georgetown University, will address the economic and equitable basis for slavery reparations. Dr. Joy DeGruy-Leary, of Portland State University, will present on her pioneering explanatory theory, "Post-traumatic Slave Syndrome". Dr. Ted Kornweibel, of San Diego State University, will present research on the complicity of the railroad industry in slavery. Professor William Wiecek, of Syracuse University College of Law, will discuss the public law of slavery and the Reconstruction era.

"This meeting is unprecedented and will serve to dispel myths about slavery and affirm the strength of the lawsuits," says Deadria Farmer-Paellmann, lead plaintiff in the lawsuits, and pioneer in the effort to expose corporate connections to slavery.

Sponsors of the event include: Morgan State University, Northeastern Illinois University, the National Black United Front, the December 12th Movement, Millions for Reparations, National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, Freedmen Descendants of the 5 Civilized Tribes, Inc., and the Restitution Study Group, Inc.