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In 1908, a White mob incited a race riot in Springfield, Ill., leaving several people dead, hundreds injured and dozens of Black-owned businesses and homes burned and destroyed.
On Friday, President Joe Biden will designate a national monument to commemorate the violent event, the White House confirmed to The Washington Post on Wednesday. […]
Four lawmakers from Illinois — Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D) and Dick Durbin (D) and Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D) and Darin LaHood (R) — introduced legislation to create the national monument under the National Park Service. But the measure has stalled amid the gridlock on Capitol Hill in an election year.
Biden will bypass the gridlock by using his executive authority under the Antiquities Act, a 1906 law that authorizes the president to protect lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans. He has designated five new national monuments and expanded four others, part of his ambitious plan to conserve 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030.
More than a century ago, Springfield’s Black community was attacked in an act of hateful and senseless violence,” Budzinski said. “While the 1908 Springfield Race Riot demonstrates our nation’s deep history of racial violence, it also sparked the creation of the NAACP – reflecting the strength and resilience of Black Americans in the tireless fight for civil rights. Since coming to Congress, I’ve been pushing for the Race Riot site to be designated as a national monument and I’m so excited to see it finally receive this long overdue recognition. Today’s announcement is a critical step forward to honor those who were killed in the 1908 attack and acknowledge the impact this tragedy had on the Springfield community and our nation as a whole. I couldn’t be more grateful to our local leaders and community members for their partnership in advocacy and I look forward to seeing this history preserved for generations to come.
* WCIA in June…
In 1908, two black men accused of crimes were being held in a jail in Springfield. A white mob demanded their release.
Instead, they were moved to a jail in Bloomington. When the mob learned of that, they became violent. Seventeen people died and black owned homes and businesses were destroyed – many burned to the ground. […]
The NAACP supports getting a monument built in Springfield. The 1908 Race Riot led to the formation of the organization.
“This site is actually going to send a message that we are actually moving to a place of inclusion and that this site could potentially be used for green space to ensure that black folks have a place where they can feel comfortable,” Abre’ Conner, the director for the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice for the national NAACP, said.
* More…
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:42 am
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Long overdue
Comment by Neef Jr. Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:45 am
Very good news. I hope they do it well
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:48 am
President Biden is an honorable man who ultimately made the right call. History will be kind to his legacy, and if KH pulls it off in Nov. — it’ll be even kinder.
Comment by Alton Sinkhole Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:01 pm
After last night’s county board meeting, this will seem hollow to many. Upshot: three plus hours of testimony and the Republican board members don’t want to change anything. People can keep dying in the county jail and in custody, I guess.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:08 pm
Bravo. I can hear the MAGAs screaming in opposition. They’re working hard in red states to whitewash our history to protect their fee fees.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:17 pm
Well done, President Biden and all who pushed for this. This is a great moment for Springfield.
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:19 pm
@Norseman is on fire today. Well played.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:43 pm
I had the honor of working for State Rep. Wyvetter Younge, who championed the cause of reparations long before it was popular, and helping her prepare a report on race riots in the US, including East St. Louis and Springfield. The lessons of the 1908 riot in Springfield are still important today.
The spark that ignited the riots was the arrest of George Richardson, who had been accused of rape by Mabel Hallam, a white woman. It is critical to remember that Mabel Hallam recanted her story about a month later. As I recall, she originally accused Richardson of rape after he was caught fleeing out of her bedroom window by Mr. Hallam. Under questioning, she admitted that she had been having an affair with Richardson for some time.
In other words, Mabel Hallam was the original “Karen.”
The other important thing to recognize is that, as Abraham Lincoln’s home town, The Springfield Race Riot garnered international newspaper coverage.
Kudos to Budzinski and Biden for elevating this piece of American history. Would love to see Chicago, East St. Louis and Tulsa get the attention they deserve as well.
Comment by Dave Clarkin Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:50 pm
Much credit to former Congressman Rodney Davis who did much to promote this recognition. Best to tell our entire history - good and bad - in the hopes that we will continue to be better.
Comment by phocion Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:52 pm
“[…]and Darin LaHood (R) — introduced legislation to create the national monument”
Is this the same Darin LaHood who voted against the removal of confederate monuments?
Comment by no use for a (nick)name Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 1:27 pm
This is the first I have heard of this, supporting the fact that we need to do a better job teaching history, including our state’s history. Glad to hear about this and the action being taken to further support this type of education.
Comment by illinifan Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 1:29 pm
- This is the first I have heard of this, supporting the fact that we need to do a better job teaching history, including our state’s history. -
I didn’t learn about it until I read a biography of Clarence Darrow in my 20s. I couldn’t believe I’d grown up 45 minutes from where it took place and no one ever bothered to mention it.
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 2:34 pm
The city will pat itself on the back for this, but the truth is that Springfield, IL is one of the worst places for a Black person in America. It was then and it is now. Staggering income inequality, homeownership rates, employment rates, and poverty rates. And a city that in the lifetime of most readers and commenters here had to be sued to stop legally discriminating in its public schools and to end the city commission form of government that was used to discriminate against African Americans. The real question to ask is what is the city doing to repair the decades of harm it intentionally inflicted on Black residents?
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/02/06/the-worst-cities-for-black-americans-10/
Comment by Google Is Your Friend Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 4:12 pm
I recall reading a book about this in my 20s and realizing my elementary school yard was the site of one of the lynchings. Chilled me to the bone.
Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 4:54 pm