President Joe Biden has declared a national monument at the scene of the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois, a significant event in America’s history of racial violence against Black individuals. The monument, encompassing 1.57 acres of federal land, serves as a somber commemoration of the two-day riot that ensued after white mobs rampaged through the city following accusations against two Black men, one on a sexual assault charge and the other for a murder.
Accompanied by lawmakers, civil rights activists, and community leaders in the Oval Office, President Biden signed the proclamation to establish the monument. This move is part of Biden’s efforts to enhance his legacy in the final phase of his presidency and to allow Vice President Kamala Harris to differentiate herself from former President Donald Trump and appeal to Black voters.
Biden stressed the importance of not forgetting such tragic events while signing the order, noting the ongoing issue of racial violence in the country. Recently, the death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman shot by a white sheriff’s deputy in Springfield, underscored the continued relevance of combating racial injustice.
The 1908 riot, which unfolded near Abraham Lincoln’s former residence, resulted in the lynching of two Black men, destruction of Black-owned properties, and fatalities among both the Black and white populations. The violence prompted the establishment of the NAACP, highlighting the resilience of the Black community in the face of adversity.
Reflecting on the need to remember history, Biden cautioned against attempts to erase or distort past injustices. The establishment of the Springfield monument serves as an acknowledgment of a dark chapter in American history and a tribute to the perseverance of the Black community.
The National Park Service’s studies confirmed the eligibility of the Springfield riot sites for inclusion in the National Park System. Senator Tammy Duckworth emphasized the importance of remembering these tragedies while witnessing President Biden’s signing of the proclamation.
In addition to the Springfield monument, Biden’s presidential initiatives have included criminalizing lynching as a federal hate crime, designating Juneteenth as a national holiday, and establishing a national monument honoring Emmett Till and his mother in Illinois and Mississippi. The brutal killing of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955 played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement after images of his mutilated body were published, thanks to the courageous stance of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley.