Oklahoma Supreme Court Rejects Reparations Lawsuit by Last Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors

The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a historic reparations lawsuit on Wednesday, filed by survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The swimsuit, initiated in 2020, sought compensation for the estimated 300 Black Individuals killed when a white mob destroyed Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood.

The lawsuit was introduced beneath Oklahoma’s public nuisance legislation, arguing that the destruction of the “Black Wall Street” continues to influence the group as we speak. Defendants included the Tulsa County sheriff, county commissioners, and the Oklahoma Navy Division.

The courtroom dominated that whereas the grievances have been legit, they didn’t match the general public nuisance statute. This choice upheld a decrease courtroom’s ruling from final July, which said {that a} historic occasion connection doesn’t grant limitless rights to hunt compensation.

Solely two recognized survivors stay, Viola Fletcher, 110, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109. Their third co-plaintiff, Hughes Van Ellis, handed away final yr at 102.

Tulsa officers responded by expressing respect for the courtroom’s choice and affirming their dedication to supporting the North Tulsa and Greenwood communities.

Legal professional Damario Solomon-Simmons, representing Ms. Fletcher and Ms. Randle, emphasised that this ruling doubtless marks the ultimate probability for the survivors to obtain compensation. The authorized group plans to petition for the Oklahoma Supreme Court to rehear the case and rethink its choice.