Victims Of 1921 Race Riots Remembered

Sunday, May 27th 2007, 9:38 pm

By: News On 6

It's been 86 years since part of a North Tulsa community was destroyed. News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports on Sunday dozens honored those lost in the 1921 Tulsa Race Riots, and vowed not to forget them, or let their deaths go unpunished.

It was May 31, 1921, a day before the Tulsa Race Riot began, and a black man was accused of sexual attacking a white woman who operated an elevator. But many say he only stepped on her foot, none the less, some whites came to what was known as Black Wall Street seeking revenge.

"One of the most prosperous African American communities in the world was destroyed in a matter of 12 hours. Forty square blocks burned down, 2,000 people homeless," said attorney and Greenwood scholar Damario Solomon Simmons.

Decades later the pain is still real. With song, dance and reverent prayer dozens gathered in Tulsa to honor those who died.

"This memorial is very special to me because we come to honor what happened in 1921. We honor the ancestors, those who perished,â€ said Solomon.

"They went through a horrific event in their lives. They were killed. They were murdered,â€ memorial organizer said.

The group says hatred was the motivation behind their senseless deaths. They vow to never forget, so they march on, still fighting the ignorance that caused so much bled shed.

The African Study Group of Tulsa organized Sundayâ€™s tribute. The annual memorial is in its 7th year. Meanwhile, the legal fight over the riot continues, a Tulsa law firm and a group of national attorneys hope to get reparations for survivors and their descendants.

Watch the video: Race Riot Remembrance

Related Stories:

2/14/2000 Bill Would Extend Riot Panel, But Reparations Still An Issue

6/28/2000 Legislature Approves Race Riot Commission Funding

1/26/2001 Riot Panel's Final Report Stresses Reparations

2/22/2001 Riot Commission Prepares To Turn Over Final Report

3/1/2001 Race Riot Report Urges Reparations

6/4/2001 Riot Anniversary Brings Call For Action

8/8/2001 Group Seeks Action On Riot Reparations

2/24/2003 Tulsa Race Riot Reparation Lawsuit Filed

4/15/2003 Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuit

5/2/2003 More Names Added To Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuit

9/30/2003 Extension Granted In Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuit

12/16/2003 Race Riot Survivors Argue Against Dismissal

3/22/2004 Federal Judge Dismisses Tulsa Race Riot Case

6/21/2004 Dismissal Of Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuit Is Appealed

9/9/2004 Federal Court Makes A Ruling In A Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuit

10/12/2004 Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuits Dismissed

12/14/2004 Appeals Court Refuses To Grant Rehearing In Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuit

3/9/2005 Survivors Of Tulsa's Race Riots Take Their Case To The US Supreme Court

4/14/2005 The Case Involving City Of Tulsa And 1921 Race Riot Victims Heads To Supreme Court

5/11/2005 Survivors Of Tulsa's Race Riots Talk To Congress

5/16/2005 US Supreme Court Refuses To Revive Tulsa Race Riot Lawsuit

4/21/2007 1921 Race Riot Lawsuit

4/25/2007 Help Being Sought For Race Riot Survivors