Justice Department Opens Civil Rights Probe into Tulsa Race Massacre

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Justice Department Launches Review of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

The Justice Department has announced a review of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, a horrific attack on a thriving Black district by a white mob.

First-Ever Federal Investigation

This marks the first time the federal government has investigated the massacre, which is considered one of the worst acts of violence against Black people in US history.

No Prosecutions Expected

Assistant US Attorney General Kristen Clarke stated that they do not expect to prosecute anyone as a result of the inquiry. However, the review aims to issue a public report by the end of the year, detailing their findings.

Survivors’ Relief

Descendants of survivors have welcomed the announcement, criticizing past city and state leaders for not doing more to address the aftermath.

Legal Barriers

The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, which allows for the review of historic cases, has significant legal barriers, particularly for cases before 1968.

Previous Investigations

Despite these challenges, the Justice Department has successfully prosecuted cases under the Act, including the murders of Black men by the Ku Klux Klan and the Birmingham church bombing in 1963.

Historical Significance

The Tulsa Race Massacre resulted in the deaths of up to 300 Black people and the destruction of thousands of homes, businesses, and churches. It remains a haunting reminder of racial violence in the United States.


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