Biden Designates National Monument At 1908 Race Riot Site

President Joe Biden, who is joined by civil rights leaders, community members, and elected officials, speaks after signing a proclamation in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, A

President Joe Biden has officially designated a national monument at the location of the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. This event marked a significant moment in the United States' history of racial violence against Black individuals.

The monument, established on 1.57 acres of federal land, serves as a solemn reminder of the two-day riot that erupted following the actions of white mobs targeting two Black men. The riot was triggered by allegations involving a sexual assault charge and a murder case, leading to widespread violence against the Black community in Illinois' capital city.

President Biden, accompanied by lawmakers, civil rights leaders, and community representatives, signed the proclamation in the Oval Office. He emphasized the importance of preserving such historical events to prevent their recurrence and safeguard democracy.

1908 riot marked by racial violence against Black individuals in Springfield, Illinois.

President Biden designates national monument at 1908 race riot site in Springfield, Illinois.

Monument serves as a reminder of two-day riot triggered by white mobs targeting Black men.

President Biden signs proclamation in Oval Office emphasizing the importance of preserving historical events.

The monument's creation comes amidst ongoing concerns about racial violence in the country, highlighted by recent incidents like the shooting death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman, by a white sheriff's deputy in Springfield.

The 1908 riot, which unfolded near Abraham Lincoln's former residence, resulted in the lynching of two Black men, destruction of Black-owned businesses and homes, and casualties among both Black and white individuals. The violence prompted the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

President Biden's efforts to address racial injustices include legislation recognizing lynching as a federal hate crime, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and creating a national monument honoring Emmett Till and his mother Mamie Till-Mobley in Illinois and Mississippi.

Reflecting on the significance of these historical events, Senator Tammy Duckworth emphasized the importance of remembering past tragedies to drive positive change.

Through these initiatives, President Biden aims to acknowledge the resilience of the Black community, confront racial discord, and promote unity and justice in the nation's ongoing fight against systemic racism.