1969 — James Forman Demands Reparations at Riverside Church

On May 20, 1969, civil rights leader James Forman delivered his \”Black Manifesto\” at Riverside Church in New York City, demanding $500 million in reparations from white churches and synagogues for their roles in supporting slavery and segregation. The bold speech, part of the National Black Economic Development Conference strategy, called for funding Black-owned businesses, land cooperatives, and media. Forman’s direct action sparked national controversy but also forced faith institutions to confront their complicity in racial injustice. Though not all demands were met, some churches began re-evaluating their economic practices and initiated modest reparative steps. May 20 stands as a historic moment in the fight for reparations and Black economic sovereignty, highlighting the power of moral accountability and public confrontation.