Oct 18, 2024
 TULSA, Okla. (KFOR) — Attorneys representing survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre says representatives have spent days in Tulsa this week amid an ongoing federal review. The Tulsa Race Massacre led to the recorded murders of more than 300 Black Tulsans, as well as the destruction of the historic Greenwood neighborhood, often known as “Black Wall Street." There are only two living survivors of the massacre, Viola Ford Fletcher, 110, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109. Survivor Hughes Van Ellis died last October at 102-years old. Last month the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a first-ever federal review into the massacre, with assistant attorney general for civil rights, Kristen Clarke, calling it "one of the deadliest episodes of mass racial violence in this nation's history." The federal review, conducted by the Civil Rights Division's Cold Case Unit, is allowed under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act. LOCAL NEWS: The Oklahoma Supreme Court denies a request to reconsider Tulsa Race Massacre lawsuit dismissal The decision came on the heels of Oklahoma's Supreme Court deciding in September it would not reconsider a June decision to reject a lawsuit filed by the survivors seeking legal reparations against alleged perpetrators of the massacre. It also came after one justice had previously praised the survivors legal efforts during oral arguments in front of them in April, while other justices made pointed comments questioning reasoning behind a Tulsa County District Court judge's dismissal of the case previously. "I think regardless of what happens that you're all to be commended for making sure that'll never happen," said Justice Yvonne Kauger. "That it will be in the history books." Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, representing the survivors, said in a news conference Thursday that two DOJ representatives had been on the ground in Tulsa for a few days. "We thank them for being here the last 48 hours," said Solomon-Simmons. "They've had the opportunity to meet with survivors and to meet with what we can first-generation descendants." Solomon-Simmons said representatives were also able to collect documents pertaining to previous committees created to review the massacre and its overarching impact on Tulsa. He also said the trip meant a lot to Randle and Fletcher, who would like to see justice in their lifetime. "We desperately needed this federal lifeline amidst the state and city's ongoing efforts to gaslight us into our graves," said Solomon-Simmons while reading a statement prepared by the survivors Thursday. Solomon-Simmons says that while acknowledgment of the massacre is a start, and a federal report will raise more awareness, survivors and descendants won't be satisfied without a full-blown federal investigation. "We want a true investigation," said Solomon-Simmons. "We want true accountability and we want the perpetrators to be held accountable." News 4 reached out to the DOJ Thursday for comment on the visit, but has not heard back at the time of publication. The findings of the DOJ report are expected to be released by the end of the year. If Oklahomans have documents or information they believe may be helpful for the review, they're asked to email [email protected].
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