Contractors must reveal slavery earnings

DETROIT, June 25 (UPI) -- Contractors who want to do business with Detroit will have to disclose whether their companies profited from slavery under a new city ordinance.

Companies with slave ties would not be banned from city contracts, the Detroit News said Friday, but any with a falsified slave history would have contracts voided.

Chicago and Los Angeles have enacted similar laws. Detroit's ordinance says contractors must sign an affidavit divulging investments and income from the slave industry.

The largely symbolic law will take effect within seven days. Councilwoman JoAnn Watson has said volunteer lawyers are committed to researching companies.

"It has been quite a long time since African-Americans were promised 40 acres and a mule," said Barbara-Rose Collins, sponsor of the ordinance. "This ordinance only provides for the beginning of that process by requiring full disclosure."

Critics say only a few companies with slavery earnings still exist and the ordinance just means more red tape for businesses.