San Francisco Sued Over Reparations Fund

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The city of San Francisco is facing a lawsuit over its controversial reparations program, which aims to provide cash payments to Black residents to address historical injustices. The lawsuit argues that the program's race-based eligibility criteria violates the Constitution's equal protection clause.

Why it matters

The reparations program has sparked debate over whether governments can implement race-conscious policies to remedy past discrimination. Opponents argue such programs are unconstitutional, while proponents say they are necessary to address systemic racism.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a conservative legal group, on behalf of five San Francisco residents. It claims the reparations program, which would provide eligible Black residents with a one-time payment of $5 million, is an unconstitutional form of race-based discrimination.

• The reparations program was approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in January 2026.
• The lawsuit was filed on February 15, 2026.

What’s next

The lawsuit is expected to make its way through the court system, with a potential ruling on the constitutionality of the reparations program in the coming months.