1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act reintroduced by Democratic senators
Source: The State Journal-Register
U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin continue to push for Springfield’s history to receive greater attention.
This week, in the midst of Black History Month, the pair of Democratic senators re-introduced legislation calling for the sites of Springfield’s 1908 Race Riot to be designated as a national monument.
“The 1908 Springfield Race Riots were a violent and hateful tragedy that are a part of Illinois’ tumultuous history and shouldn’t be forgotten,” Durbin said. “It is because of this event that the NAACP was formed, which has served as an unwavering voice for Black Americans. I am happy to reintroduce the Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act along with Sen. Duckworth in order to honor the lives lost during the deadly riots and reaffirm our commitment to fighting prejudice and promoting equality in Illinois and throughout the United States.”
During the riot, a mob of white residents murdered at least six Black Americans, burned Black homes and businesses and attacked hundreds of residents merely because of the color of their skin. The riot was the catalyst for the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which was founded in February 1909 — 112 years ago this week.
“The 1908 Springfield Race Riot site is of extraordinary cultural and historical importance to our state and to this country,” Duckworth said. “By designating this area a national monument, we will help ensure that the painful lessons learned here will not be lost for the generations of Americans to come. Making our national parks better reflect our nation’s people and history is long overdue, and it’s time we properly recognize this site.”
The 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act, which was first introduced by Duckworth and Durbin last February, would establish the site as a national monument to be managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Currently, less than a quarter of the country’s national parks are devoted to recognizing the histories of minority or underrepresented groups, according to analysis by the Center for American Progress.
The race riot site, near the 10th Street rail tracks and Madison Street, was excavated in 2019 during construction for the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. Artifacts and foundations from homes destroyed during the riot were uncovered.
Last year, the U.S. Department of the Interior recognized the national and historic significance of the site as it became the 30th addition to the African American Civil Rights Network. Congress established the network to recognize the importance of the African American civil rights movement and the sacrifices of Americans who fought against discrimination and segregation.
The NAACP and the Sierra Club are among those in support of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act.
Last month, ahead of the presidential inauguration, Duckworth and Durbin sent a letter to then-President-elect Joe Biden asking him to establish the sites of the 1908 Race Riot as a national monument.
“We write to request that upon entering office, and pursuant to the American Antiquities Act of 1906, you declare by public proclamation the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site in Springfield, Illinois, to be a National Monument,” the letter reads. “Establishing this National Monument would make sure our Nation never forgets the historic events of national significant that led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.”
By: Natalie Pierre
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