A public hearing on reparations in New York became contentious as different advocacy groups disagreed over who should be eligible for potential reparations programs.

Supporters of the Freedmen Project argued that reparations eligibility should be limited to those who can demonstrate lineage to enslaved people in the United States. They contended this approach would help protect against legal challenges and ensure benefits reach what they termed "foundational Black Americans."

Other attendees at the hearing opposed the lineage-based approach, leading to disagreements during the proceedings. The dispute reflects broader national debates over how reparations programs should be structured and who should qualify for benefits.

The hearing was part of New York's ongoing process to develop potential reparations policies. Various advocacy groups have been participating in public forums to provide input on program design and eligibility criteria.

Similar debates over reparations eligibility have occurred in other jurisdictions considering such programs, with some favoring ancestry-based criteria while others support broader definitions of eligibility.