President Joe Biden designated a national monument on August 16 in memory of a 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois, surrounded by Democratic lawmakers, civil rights leaders, and community members behind the White House Resolute desk.
During the proclamation signing, Biden noted the shocking impact of the race riot on the nation over 100 years ago when a mob near Lincoln’s home unleashed violence in Springfield.
The White House explained that the monument will highlight the horrific attack by a white mob on a Black community, symbolizing the racism and violence experienced by Black Americans nationwide.
The riot in August 1908 led to multiple deaths, hundreds of injuries, and the destruction of numerous black-owned businesses and homes. It began when white mobs descended on Springfield in response to two jailed Black men, escalating into chaos that resulted in the hangings of two innocent Black men and the burning of homes and businesses in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Although rioters faced charges, they were later acquitted for their actions. The violence left at least eight dead and over 100 injured, prompting a response from the National Guard.
The creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 was a direct result of this event, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
Joining Biden at the monument designation were Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Representative Nikki Budzinski, and leaders from various organizations. Duckworth praised the Midwest’s role in civil rights and emphasized the importance of remembering history to drive positive change.
While the designation does not include a physical marker on the site, a memorial in Union Square Park commemorates the event. The location was also added to the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network in 2020.
Budzinski, who pushed for the proclamation, highlighted the monument’s significance in honoring the strength and resilience of Black Americans and the impact of the 1908 attack.
Biden’s actions in Tulsa and the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday demonstrate his commitment to acknowledging and commemorating important moments in Black history.
This article contains contributions from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Please rewrite this sentence: “The cat ran quickly across the yard.”
Rewritten: “The cat sprinted swiftly through the yard.”
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