The Justice Department has launched a review of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the deadliest racial attacks in U.S. history, under a federal cold-case initiative. The massacre involved a white mob destroying the prosperous Black district of Greenwood, also known as Black Wall Street. Around 300 Black people were killed, and over 1,200 homes, businesses, and churches were destroyed. The attack left a lasting impact on the survivors and their descendants, who continue to seek justice and recognition for the horrific event.
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the significance of addressing the trauma still felt by descendants of the victims, acknowledging it as a continued "act of racial terrorism." Clarke announced that the Justice Department will issue a report on the findings by the end of the year, though they do not expect to prosecute anyone since it's unlikely any perpetrators are still alive.
Despite this, descendants of the survivors welcomed the investigation, with attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons calling it a “momentous day” after years of fighting for justice. He stated, "It only took 103 years, but this is a joyous occasion, an amazing opportunity for us to make sure that what happened here in Tulsa is understood for what it was."
In June, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit seeking financial compensation for the massacre’s survivors, further delaying justice. The court ruled that the claims did not fall within the state's public nuisance statute. Following the dismissal, Solomon-Simmons urged the Justice Department to investigate the massacre under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act.
Although the Act has led to successful prosecutions in Civil Rights Era cases, the DOJ acknowledges that cases predating 1968 face significant legal challenges. Since 2008, the DOJ has reviewed 137 cases under the Act, resolving 125, with several leading to federal or state prosecutions.
This federal review provides a renewed sense of hope to the survivors and their descendants despite the barriers ahead.
Link: AP News
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