SAN FRANCISCO legislators voted unanimously on Tuesday to formally apologise to African Americans and their descendants for the city’s role in perpetuating racism and discrimination.

Supervisor Shamann Walton said: “This historic resolution apologises on behalf of San Francisco to the African American community and their descendants for decades of systemic and structural discrimination, targeted acts of violence, atrocities.”

San Francisco joins another major US city, Boston, in issuing an apology. Nine states have formally apologised for slavery, according to the resolution.