In a recent ruling, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has turned down the request from the last two living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre to revisit their dismissed lawsuit.
Viola Fletcher, aged 110, and Alessi Benningfield Randall, 109, had sought justice for the atrocities they endured during one of the most horrific racial violence incidents in American history.
The court upheld a previous decision by a Tulsa District Court judge, effectively closing the door on this particular legal battle.
The survivors had filed a public nuisance claim, arguing that they continue to experience racially disparate treatment and that systemic barriers have been erected, hindering their access to basic human needs.
Demario Solomon Simmons, an attorney with the Justice for Greenwood initiative, expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision.
He emphasized that after four years of persistent litigation, this ruling is a significant setback for the survivors.
Despite this disheartening news, Simmons reassured that there are still other legal avenues to explore.
He highlighted the determination of both Fletcher and Randall to continue their fight for justice, even at their advanced ages.
Their resolve remains unwavering; they are committed to seeking accountability for the injustices they suffered during their lifetimes.
Simmons also pointed out the importance of involving the federal government in this matter, specifically calling on the Biden-Harris administration to open an investigation under the Emmett Till Cold Case Act.
This act, originally passed in 2008 and reauthorized in 2016, allows the Department of Justice to investigate civil rights crimes that occurred between 1920 and 1970.
Simmons urged citizens to reach out to President Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland to advocate for this investigation.
The Emmett Till Cold Case Act aims not only to pursue convictions but also to uncover truths that have long been concealed by authorities.
The massacre in Tulsa, which remains largely uninvestigated, is considered one of the largest crime scenes in modern U.S. history.
Simmons lamented that only about ten percent of what transpired during the massacre is known, emphasizing the urgent need for a thorough investigation.
The attorney pointed out that the time is critical as the survivors age, and he fears they may not have much time left to see justice served.
He stressed that the fight for justice extends beyond Fletcher and Randall; it represents a broader struggle for acknowledgment and reparative measures for the Black community affected by the massacre.
Moreover, Simmons noted that the Department of Justice has previously engaged in cold case initiatives aimed at addressing racially motivated murders.
He underscored the fact that there were hundreds of murders during the massacre, with thousands of individuals unaccounted for since that fateful period in May 1921.
Many families lost loved ones without ever knowing their fate, and the scars of that violence remain deeply embedded in the community.
As discussions continued, experts like Dr. Ming Young and Dr. Greg Carr joined the conversation, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
They raised concerns about the dwindling time available for the survivors to seek justice and the importance of acting swiftly before more witnesses pass away.
Dr. Young highlighted the historical context of the massacre, noting that the quest for justice has spanned over a century.
She echoed Simmons’ sentiments about the need for immediate action from the federal government, as the survivors deserve to see some form of justice before it’s too late.
Dr. Carr added that while it would be ideal for the survivors to witness justice firsthand, the legal framework does not require their presence for an investigation to proceed.
He reiterated that the Emmett Till Cold Case Act empowers the DOJ to act independently of the survivors’ status, emphasizing the need for a serious commitment to racial justice.
In light of these developments, advocates are rallying support for the survivors and urging the public to take action.
A petition has been launched to encourage the DOJ to open an investigation into the Tulsa Race Massacre, aiming to gather signatures and postcards from across the nation to amplify their voices.
The fight for justice continues, with hopes that the survivors will finally receive the acknowledgment and reparations they rightfully deserve.
