WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Biden Designates Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
Last week President Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The new national monument will tell the story of a horrific attack by a white mob on a Black community, its significance within the Civil Rights Movement, and the broader history of Black community resilience in the face of violent oppression. At a time when some are working to rewrite history and erase painful moments in our past, President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to protecting places that help tell a more complete story of our nation’s history, including by recognizing difficult moments that have been ignored or obscured for far too long.
Leaders from across the country praised the announcement. Here’s what they’re saying:
Elected Officials
Senator Tammy Duckworth (Illinois): “The 1908 Springfield Race Riot site is of extraordinary cultural and historical importance to our state and to this country—a searing, horrific incident that galvanized the creation of the NAACP. I’ve been working for years to designate this site as a national monument to help ensure the painful lessons learned here will not be lost for the generations of Americans to come. I’m proud that President Biden is taking action to help ensure this history is properly honored and making our national parks better reflect our nation’s people and stories.” [Statement, 8/14/24]
Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois): “The 1908 Springfield Race Riot was a violent and hateful tragedy, but it’s a part of Illinois’ and our nation’s history that we cannot turn a blind eye to. The story, which led to the creation of the NAACP, must be told. I have worked with Senator Duckworth and Rep. Budzinski to push for this historical site to be recognized as a national monument, and I’m grateful that President Biden understands the gravity of designating this site in Springfield. Together, we can honor the lives lost during the deadly riots and reaffirm our commitment to fighting prejudice in Illinois and across the country.” [Statement, 8/14/24]
Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13): “More than a century ago, Springfield’s Black community was attacked in an act of hateful and senseless violence. While the 1908 Springfield Race Riot demonstrates our nation’s deep history of racial violence, it also sparked the creation of the NAACP – reflecting the strength and resilience of Black Americans in tireless fight for civil rights. Since coming to Congress I’ve been pushing for the Race Riot site to be designated as a national monument and I’m so excited to see it finally receive this long overdue recognition. Today’s announcement is a critical step forward to honor those who were killed in the 1908 attack and acknowledge the impact this tragedy had on the Springfield community and our nation as a whole. I couldn’t be more grateful to our local leaders and community members for their partnership in advocacy and I look forward to seeing this history preserved for generations to come.” [X Post, 8/14/24]
Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04): “The Congressional Black Caucus applauds President Biden’s proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Illinois. The Springfield Race Riot was a horrific moment in our nation’s history – one that today reminds us of the strength and resilience of our communities that have historically been subjected to racism, intimidation, and violence. At a time when anti-education laws, book bans, and censorship of Black history in schools are rampant, this designation reflects President Biden and Vice President Harris’ commitment to honoring and protecting Black history and ensuring that our stories are not lost or obfuscated over time.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton: “President Biden’s designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is an act of protection for a significant chapter of Black history in Illinois and America. The monument is a poignant reminder of the devastation Springfield and the nation faced during a time of racial violence. We honor the memories of the lives that were tragically cut short, the families irrevocably shattered, and the businesses destroyed. We pay tribute to the survivors and advocates whose resilience and determination reverberated through time, leading to vital reforms like the establishment of the NAACP. Their legacy serves as a powerful reminder of our ongoing duty to confront injustice and strive for a more equitable society. This designation underscores Illinois’ commitment to preserving and learning from our complex history.” [Statement, 8/14/24
Civil Rights and Community Leaders
Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP: “As we convene to remember the tragic Springfield Race Riot of 1908, our community continues to endure unjust violence. 116 years ago, it was William K. Donnegan. Last month, it was his descendant, Sonya Massey. Sonya’s death at the hands of law enforcement is a stark reminder that we have a long way to go in the fight to protect, and honor Black life. While the Springfield Race riot reflects a dark chapter in our history, it details the truths of our lived experiences as Black Americans. At a time when Black history is under attack, the NAACP welcomes the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to recognize the horrors of the past as we work to create a brighter tomorrow – this is just the beginning.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund: “Today, President Biden affirmed the critical importance of telling the full truth of our nation’s history, including some of its most heinous chapters. A national monument at the site of the Springfield Race Riot will allow people across the country, and indeed across the globe, to not only deepen their understanding of the brutality Black people have faced in the United States, but to also recognize their resilience in the face of horror and tragedy. This recognition is especially powerful at a time when there is a war on truth and ongoing attempts to suppress the voices, history, and political participation of Black Americans.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Austin Randolph, Jr., NAACP Springfield Chapter President: “We must remember, resolve and restore. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot should live in our hearts and minds forever as a constant reminder of man’s capacity for cruelty. Within this struggle lies the desire for equity, peace, and healing. This national monument will forever stand for freedom and justice. It will be our solemn reminder of where we came from as it propels us towards where we are destined to be: equal.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Ken Page, President, ACLU of Illinois, Springfield Chapter: “It was a journey of 116 years to get to this day. We thank you Mr. President for acknowledging the importance of telling all of America’s History. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot was tragic. And out of this tragedy was the birth of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As we continue this journey, America can continue to live out her creed of Liberty, Equality, Justice and Humanity.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Pastor T. Ray “Mac” McJunkins, Lead Pastor, Union Baptist Church of Springfield: “Thank you to the men and women, who have certainly been champions for the citizens of Illinois. Lawmakers led by Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and Representatives Nikki Budzinski and Darin LaHood. I personally appreciate your tireless efforts with the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument Act. This has been a long time coming, though it was hindered on Capitol Hill it still prevailed. After several conversations, meetings and visits to Washington DC, here we are a leap forward. Today, on the 116th anniversary of the 1908 Race Riot, President Biden, I applaud you for using the Antiquities Act to designate the Race Riot a National Monument. This is another step to honor those who died during the riot as well as those St. John’s Hospital sisters who assisted the wounded. This is a continued opportunity to raise awareness and educate present and future generations on race relations while we commit to making this a better nation than it was and even better than what it is.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Erin Carlson Mast, President and CEO, Lincoln Presidential Foundation: “As a proud partner of the National Park Service at Lincoln Home National Historic Site, we recognize the connections between these sites and stories. The establishment of the NAACP on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1909 underscored the enduring link between Lincoln’s legacy and the struggle for freedom and equality. The mob violence was local, but the impact has been national. We look forward to working together to ensure the preservation, interpretation, and commemoration of this important place in American history for generations to come.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert Jr., President, National Baptist Convention of America: “President Biden, your leadership in making this site a national monument reflects a deep commitment to preserving the history of racial violence in America and ensuring that these stories are told with the dignity and respect they deserve. This act not only brings national attention to the atrocities of 1908 but also serves as a powerful symbol of our collective responsibility to address the legacy of racism in this country. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to justice, equity, and the truth. Your decision to honor the victims and survivors of the Springfield Race Riot by making this site a national monument is a profound step toward healing and reconciliation.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Reverend David Peoples, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention: “The story of Springfield is painful. Black businesses were destroyed, neighborhoods were burnt to the ground, and lives were lost in an attempt to terrorize, intimidate, and dehumanize. Establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is a welcome step toward healing and justice as we amplify this story and help ensure that these events are never repeated.” [X Post, 8/16/24]
Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Church of God in Christ: “On behalf of the Church of God in Christ, with over 5 million congregants, I celebrate with my brothers and sisters in Christ the recent designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. The Springfield race riot is a story of evil racism, hatred, and violence – but it is also a story of hope, marked by the resilience of the Black community and the formation of the NAACP. It is important that our national lands reflect the full truth of our country’s history; this is an important step towards justice and healing.” [X Post, 8/16/24]
Imam Dr. Talib M. Shareef, President, Masjid Muhammad: “Masjid Muhammad, known as the Nation’s Mosque, commends the Biden-Harris Administration in its official designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, which tells the honest story of the Springfield race riots. Our Mosque was the first built from the ground in America by descendants of enslaved African Americans and African Muslims – we are particularly interested in having the full story of African American experiences, including tragedies, told and preserved. The Springfield Monument uplifts an integral part of our American history and is an essential addition to the National Park System.” [X Post, 8/16/24]
Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church: “As Bishops of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, we celebrate the National Park Service and the Biden Administration’s work to officially establish the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, ensuring that this part of Black history is not erased and utilizing public lands and a way to proclaim the truth. The CME church, with more than 1.2 million members across the United States, came into being in the tumultuous aftermath of the Civil War – our vision was then, and remains today, to be transformational in a changing world. The changing world, wrought with strife and division, demands the presence of truth and begs for reconciliation and healing. Efforts like this recent designation are small but tangible and significant steps towards this reconciliation, healing, and ultimately transformation that our nation so greatly needs.” [X Post, 8/16/24]
Pastor Scott Onqué, Policy Director, Faith in Place: “We thank President Biden for designating the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site as a national monument–which serves as a crucial acknowledgment of a painful history and a call to continue the fight for racial justice. This designation is particularly meaningful for faith communities, especially within the Black community, where houses of worship have been and continue to be vital centers for advocacy. It honors the resilience of those who fought for justice and encourages us to keep working toward a more just and equitable future.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Conservation and Historic Preservation Leaders
Ben Jealous, Executive Director, Sierra Club: “Our public lands tell a story, and this newest national monument finally adds this long-overlooked chapter. For more than a century, we ignored the memory of one of the worst episodes of racial violence in our country’s history, just steps from the home of Abraham Lincoln, but the Springfield community never forgot. Today, their resilience is not just recognized, but honored. Designating the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot as a national monument helps ensure that national monuments protect not just the most precious lands and waters of the United States, but the sites and legacies that make this country what it is.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Jamie Williams, President, The Wilderness Society: “National monuments help tell and preserve stories that represent the full history of our country, and we commend the Biden-Harris administration for commemorating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot as such. It’s important that the administration heeded the call from community members and elected leaders about their vision to federally recognize this painful and tragic event that eventually was one of the catalysts to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This watershed moment led to a movement that ensured that equality and justice were the values that prevailed from this sad chapter in our nation’s history. This story and people who inspired the movement should be honored and protected for future generations.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer for Conservation Lands Foundation: “Commemorating the country’s varied histories through national monument designations is an important responsibility of the president. The Springfield Race Riot of 1908 is the first national monument to recognize our nation’s long history of race riots and thousands of lynchings, and showcase the birth of the NAACP and the courage and leadership of Ida B. Wells-Barnett and other Black leaders who fought to stop racial violence. It holds a solemn place in our collective understanding and is deserving of this designation. We applaud President Biden for using the Antiquities Act to commemorate the Springfield 1908 Race Riot, ensuring that the public never forgets the tragedies and triumphs of the Black experience in American history.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Brent Leggs, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, National Trust for Historic Preservation: “116 years ago, Black residents of Springfield, Illinois experienced the unimaginable – a race riot that destroyed families, businesses and hope for change. Using his authority under the Antiquities Act, President Biden has ensured the permanent preservation and protection of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site, filling a critical gap in our National Park System and the nation’s understanding of civil rights. This designation allows preservation to be a tool for public education during a time it’s needed most. Sadly, many of the once lived community members in Springfield have passed – without receiving justice – as a result of hate and systemic racism. Thankfully, a diverse coalition of civil rights leaders, conservationists, and law makers organized together, advocating for recognition and memorialization in their memory. Their bold steps make room for the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument to be a resource for learning, healing, and honoring race riot victims, their descendants, and the larger Springfield community.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks: “We thank President Biden for designating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. This monument will help to fill a critical gap in the National Park System, which currently does not have parks that tell the story of race riots, the founding of the NAACP, or the story of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. It is important that our public lands tell the full American story. This designation will help to ensure that the story of one of the worst examples of mass racial violence in our country’s history, and the courage of Black leaders who founded the NAACP in response, will be protected for future generations.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Cassandra Carmichael, Executive Director, National Religious Partnership for the Environment: “I celebrate the designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. Our public lands play a significant role in telling the story of our nation and for far too long, that story has been incomplete. In naming this newest national monument, the Biden-Harris Administration is answering the call from communities and leaders across the country to preserve and lift up this important story in Black history. This national monument helps tell the full story of American history and is a step towards reconciliation, healing, and transformation.” [X Post, 8/16/24]
Dr. Jocelyn Imani, Senior Director, Trust for Public Land for Black History and Culture: “Trust for Public Land commends President Biden for designating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot as a National Monument. The story of the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois – one of the worst incidences of mass racial violence in the United States – has until recently been buried but never forgotten. Led by a mob of 5,000 white Springfield residents, the riot resulted in the lynching of two Black residents and the deaths of at least seven others, as well as the destruction of dozens of Black-owned homes and businesses. The riot is also credited as catalyzing the establishment of the NAACP the following year of 1909.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Mark Magaña, Founding President and CEO, Green Latinos: “We thank the Biden-Harris Administration for listening to leaders in Springfield, Illinois and the wide base of support throughout the nation for designating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. The America The Beautiful For All Coalition firmly believes that our path to 30% conserved lands and waters must be defined by the places that tell the full American story. This national monument is the first to ensure that all Americans remember how mass racial violence took the homes, businesses, and lives of Black Americans. This monument will help to make us more aware of the lasting impact these historical events had on Black economic mobility, safety and belonging in our country. It is also critical that this monument uncovers stories about the impact of the 1908 riots on immigrant and multicultural residents in order to reflect the full American story at this new national monument.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Gene Karpinski, President, League of Conservation Voters: “Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the Springfield branch of the NAACP and local advocates and activists, the Biden-Harris administration has established a national monument to acknowledge the tragic Springfield massacre and other forms of racial violence against Black people in our nation’s history. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument confronts one of the country’s most brutal instances of mass anti-Black violence and serves as a testament to the courage of Black leaders, including Ida B. Wells-Barnett, who fought to end racial violence. LCV commends the Biden-Harris administration for further cementing its legacy of honoring and protecting our nation’s cultural heritage, public lands and historical sites, and encourages the Biden-Harris administration to build on this legacy by continuing to champion the protection of our nation’s public lands and cultural sites.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Ariel Hampton, State Government Affairs Director, Illinois Environmental Council: “We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for designating the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot as a National Monument, and commend our partners at the Springfield branch of the NAACP, Sierra Club Illinois, Faith Coalition for the Common Good, and countless local activists for their work to advocate for this designation. The mass racial violence in Springfield in 1908 has reverberated across the past century, and the impacts continue to be felt in Springfield and across Illinois. Today, Black residents in Springfield are more likely to experience environmental injustices like air pollution from the Dallman coal plant and water contamination from lead pipes. As we work to mitigate these injustices, this National Monument will serve as a reminder to learn from our history so as not to repeat it.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
Lauren Bogard, Director of Campaigns and Special Projects, Center for Western Priorities: “We praise President Biden for acknowledging a terrible event in American history through the preservation of artifacts and accounts that tell the shameful story of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot. Black history is American history, and it is fundamental to understanding the ongoing fight for civil rights and racial equality, a struggle that continues to be advanced by the leadership and advocacy of the NAACP. The establishment of this monument is a reminder that there is more work to be done in pursuit of national healing and reconciliation, and that the creation of new national monuments can play a pivotal role in this necessary endeavor through acknowledging how the events in our history continue to shape our country.” [Statement, 8/16/24]
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