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Lawmaker Wants References To Slavery Removed From Ohio Constitution

WCBE 90.5FM | By Ohio Public Radio

Published June 25, 2020 at 5:21 AM EDT

The Ohio Constitution bans slavery except for one reason. At least one black lawmaker wants that exception removed.

Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

Democratic Senator Cecil Thomas says the clause that allows slavery as the punishment for a crime needs to be removed from the state constitution.

“What legitimate reason would you have that exception for unless you planned to use it for Ohio’s future history?”

Thomas says lawmakers would have to put the change before voters. But he says that should happen sooner rather than later. The Senate is planning to meet monthly, but the House isn't scheduled to come back till September.

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