Oklahoma’s highest court has dismissed a historic lawsuit from the last two survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Despite the legacy of trauma and ongoing racial disparities, justice remains elusive. The court’s decision underscores the complex battle for accountability and reparations.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Dismisses Historic Lawsuit
Oklahoma’s highest court has turned down a long-standing lawsuit from the last two survivors of a racist massacre. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing quest for justice.
Century-Old Atrocity Unresolved
Over a century ago, a white mob decimated a thriving Black neighborhood in Tulsa, leaving death and devastation in its wake. The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision upholds a previous dismissal of the challenge.
Survivors of Tulsa Race Massacre Persist
Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109, and Viola Ford Fletcher, 110, pursued justice for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Despite the passing of Fletcher’s brother, Hughes Van Ellis, at 102 last year, their fight continued.
Greenwood’s “Black Wall Street” Destroyed
On May 31, 1921, Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood faced a brutal attack from an armed white mob. Law enforcement had deputized the mob, which fired indiscriminately on Black residents.
Horror from the Skies
Witnesses described planes dropping flaming rags and dynamite during the massacre. Black victims’ bodies were thrown into the Arkansas River or mass graves, with survivors detained at gunpoint.
Rampage of Destruction
The mob burned and looted homes, businesses, and even a church. A machine gun mounted on a truck targeted Mount Zion Baptist Church before it was destroyed.
Justice Denied
No one was ever held accountable for the massacre. The lawsuit argued that the event’s impact is still evident in Tulsa’s racial and economic disparities.
Demands for Reparations
The lawsuit called for a thorough accounting of lost property, a hospital in north Tulsa, and a victims’ compensation fund. These demands aimed to address the long-lasting effects of the massacre.
Defendants Named in Lawsuit
The lawsuit implicated several entities, including the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Military Department. These organizations were named for their roles during the massacre.
Court’s Final Ruling
The state supreme court acknowledged the legitimacy of the plaintiffs’ grievances. However, it concluded that their claims did not meet the criteria of Oklahoma’s public nuisance law.
Court Rejects Ongoing Impact Claims
The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed claims that the massacre’s lingering effects constitute a public nuisance. The justices ruled that such long-term consequences fall outside the court’s purview.
Societal Inequities Require Policy Solutions
The court emphasized that generational inequities born from the massacre are matters for policymakers, not the judiciary. The decision pointed to the need for legislative action to address these issues.
Tulsa’s Centennial Commemoration
In 2021, Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum apologized for the massacre, marking its 100th anniversary. Millions of dollars were raised to commemorate the event and establish a community center.
Accusations of Misuse
Plaintiffs accused city officials of exploiting their images for the centennial’s promotion. Civil rights attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons criticized the commercialization of the massacre’s memory.
Determined to Appeal
Despite last year’s dismissal, plaintiffs vowed to continue their fight to the state supreme court. Survivors emphasized their commitment to seeking justice and addressing intergenerational racial trauma.
Supreme Court Hearing
The state supreme court heard the appeal on April 2. In a joint statement, Randle and Fletcher expressed gratitude for the chance to pursue legal recourse, highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity.
