California trying to find, compensate sterilization victims

By ADAM BEAM
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California officials want to pay reparations for government-forced or coerced sterilizations, but are having a hard time finding victims. The state has $4.5 million in reparations to distribute. Some people were victimized during the eugenics movement that peaked during the 1930s. Others were sterilized while in state prisons a decade ago. So far, state officials have awarded payments to 51 people out of 310 applications. State officials plan to air TV and radio ads in this month in an attempt to find more victims. The program will shut down after 2023.